Summary

Pupils are introduced to the idea of a pentatonic or five-note scale. You may wish to think of other words that have a "penta" prefix.

They listen and see three pentatonic melodies: one from Wales, one from Canada and an oriental-sounding melody. You may want pupils to learn these melodies and sing them aloud.

Pupils see the melody of the Welsh folk tune Dacw Dadi'n Mynd i'r Ffair and are able to see how the tune is composed of only five notes. You may wish to examine the music for the two other melodies with the class.

Pupils see an interactive graphical representation of a xylophone. When each of the bars from the C major pentatonic scale is clicked with the mouse, the note sounds. Pupils are invited to explore the graphic and begin creating pentatonic melodies. You may wish to have a xylophone, etc close to the whiteboard and to replay the melodies that pupils compose at the board.

A non-interactive graphic of a piano keyboard is shown to give guidance on which keys may be used for this compositional exercise. Pupils begin the compositional work. You may wish to extend pupils' work by asking them to add a drone or create "pentatonic ostinati".

Suitable for

Years 3/4

Using a non-interactive whiteboard

This lesson can be used with a non-interactive board as the teacher and/or pupils, using a standard mouse, may operate the animations. The computer/whiteboard should be connected to an amplification system as it makes extensive use of sound files.

Prior learning required

Pupils should be familiar with the use of classroom instruments. They should also be aware of the vocabulary associated with musical elements. Familiarity with the three melodies used would be helpful.

Aims and objectives

• for pupils to be aware of the musical element of pitch
• for pupils to be aware that a pentatonic scale is one which consists of only five notes
• for pupils to be aware of how the pentatonic scale is found in music from a variety of cultures

Timings

It is anticipated that this initial whiteboard lesson will take 30 to 40 minutes. Further lesson time will then be required for groups/individuals to explore composition using the C major pentatonic major scale.

Suggestions for group activities

Pupils will work in groups to create and later arrange melodies using the C major pentatonic scale.

Suggestions for differentiation

Groups of pupils may be arranged according to pupil ability, familiarity with instruments, friendship, etc.

Groups of pupils less familiar with musical instruments may use tuned percussion with non-scale notes removed (as outlined in the lesson).

Pupils who are more familiar with musical instruments, eg pupils who are learning the violin might compose and record their composition using standard notation.

Further activities

The work may be extended/assessed by using the ACCAC "Optional assessment materials for music at key stage 2", Unit 2, "Pentagroovie!"

Pupils might try to find other examples of pentatonic melodies.

Pupils might use ICT software to create pentatonic "loops" of music.

Pupils might extend the composition to include drones or make effective use of melodic ostinati.

Pupils might investigate the blues form of music.

National curriculum links

Music

Composing
Pupils should be taught to:

• improvise, compose and arrange music in response to a range of musical stimuli and extra-musical stimuli
• develop and refine musical ideas using appropriate structures

Being given opportunities to explore and use a widening range of sound sources

Appraising
Pupils should be taught to listen to their own and others' music in order to make distinctions within the musical elements

ICT

Pupils should use ICT (to record their music)

PE

Pupils create movements or dances that respond to the pentatonic melodies.

For assessment, some teachers may wish to refer to the QCA scheme for music: Year 3/4, Unit 12 "Dragon scales - Exploring pentatonic scales" which contains work on pentatonic scales and attainment target, level descriptions in "Key stages 1 and 2 of the national curriculum in Wales".

The activities would provide rich opportunities for the development of the key skills of "communication" and "creative skills" during the compositional process.