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Important update!
The Key stage 2 Music units have been updated for 2026–2027. Both updated and previous versions will remain available, allowing flexibility to choose between them.
Explore the Music, Long-term plan for 2026–2027 to preview updated units. Additional units will be added as they become available.
Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Explain what samba music is and that it is mainly percussion instruments used in celebrations such as Carnival in Brazil.
- Clap on the off-beat (the and of each beat) and be able to play a syncopated rhythm.
- Play their rhythm in time with the rest of their group (even if they are not always successfully playing in time with the rest of the class).
- Play their break in time with the rest of their group and play in the correct place in the piece.
- Play in time and with confidence; accurately playing their break.
Suggested prior learning
Body and tuned percussion (Theme: Rainforests)
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Lessons
Lesson 1: Introduction to samba
Lesson 2: Pulse and rhythm
Lesson 3: Samba rhythms
Lesson 4: Composing a break
Lesson 5: Samba performance
Key skills
- Recognising and discussing the
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Key knowledge
- To know that samba
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Key vocabulary
agogo
bateria
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Equipment list
Equipment needed across all lessons in this unit.
This list does not include equipment which is usually readily available in the classroom (e.g pencils, A4 paper etc)
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Full equipment list for the subject
Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected
- Untuned percussion instruments ×30
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Related content
Unit resources
Knowledge organiser: Music – Y4 Samba and carnival sounds and instruments (Theme: South America)
Aimed at pupils, a single page which gives key facts and definitions from the unit Samba and carnival sounds and…
Vocabulary display: Samba and carnival sounds and instruments
A display version of the vocabulary from the unit Samba and carnival sounds and instruments.
Subject resources
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Cross-curricular opportunities
None.
Suggested next steps
South and West Africa
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