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  2. Music >
  3. Upper key stage 2 >
  4. Year 5 >
  5. Music in nature: Chords and melodies >
  6. Lesson 3: Creating contrast with chords
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This is preview content for the 2026-27 academic year. Your feedback will help us improve these units.

Learning objective

  • To compose a nature-inspired chord pattern using two contrasting chords.

Success criteria

  • I can identify and describe key features in
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National curriculum

Music

Pupils should be taught to:

  • Appreciate
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Cross-curricular links

None.

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Before the lesson

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Lesson plan

Recap and recall

Show the Presentation: Comparing melodies and play the audios.

Learning objective

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Adaptive teaching

Pupils needing extra support:

  • Could follow modelled examples of dynamics to show contrast by copying and then adapting them in their own composition.
  • Could use pre-selected chords to create contrast by focusing on how they sound rather than choosing notes.

Pupils working at greater depth:

  • Should compose and perform independently by selecting and combining chords without support.
  • Should create contrast by using dynamics and repetition to achieve a clear effect.
  • Could extend their composition by developing longer sequences that build mood or atmosphere.
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Assessing progress and understanding

Pupils with secure understanding can:

  • Compose music that includes a clear contrast in
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Vocabulary definitions

  • chord

    Two or more notes played at the same time.

  • clashing chords

    Two neighbouring notes played together, often used to create tension.

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In this unit

Assessment – Music Y5: Music in nature: Chords and melodies

Lesson 1: Exploring nature's dynamics

Lesson 2: Cloud songs

Lesson 3: Creating contrast with chords

Lesson 4: Composing the forest

Lesson 5: Northern Lights

Created by:

Kapow Primary team
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Maintained by: Kapow Primary team

Last update: 20th April, 2026

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Lesson 2: Cloud songs Previous Lesson
Lesson 4: Composing the forest Next Lesson

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