1. Subjects >
  2. Music >
  3. Key stage 2 >
  4. Year 3 >
  5. Ballads >
  6. Lesson 1: What is a ballad?

Learning objective

  • To use musical vocabulary to explain the stylistic features of a ballad.

Success criteria

  • I can name the key features of a
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National curriculum

Music

Pupils should be taught to:

  •  Play
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Cross-curricular links

None.

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Before the lesson

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Lesson plan

Recap and recall

Before starting this unit, you might want to check the children can recall: That music has different structural features. That they can use musical vocabulary to describe music.

Learning objective

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Adaptive teaching

Pupils needing extra support

May benefit from having the lyrics in front of them so that they can work out the storyline from there.

Pupils working at greater depth

Should add a feelings word to each box on their storyboard to say how each of the characters are feeling at different points in the story.

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Assessing progress and understanding

Pupils with secure understanding indicated by: identifying the key features of a

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Vocabulary definitions

  • ballad

    A song which tells a story - similar to a poem.

  • ensemble

    A small group of musicians who perform together.

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In this unit

Assessment - Music Y3: Ballads

Lesson 1: What is a ballad?

Lesson 2: Performing a ballad

Lesson 3: The story behind the song

Lesson 4: Writing lyrics

Lesson 5: Singing my ballad

Originally created by:

Laura Barr

Music specialist

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In her 14 year teaching career, Laura assumed the role of Music Lead, and was Head of Music in a large secondary school. Laura has a passion for working with children with a disadvantaged background, either through deprivation or disability, and now works…
Find out more
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Maintained by: Kapow Primary team

Last update: 6th October, 2025

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Assessment – Music Y3: Ballads Previous Lesson
Lesson 2: Performing a ballad Next Lesson

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