Hello again, educators! Susie Riddell is your pBuzz guide once more, helping teachers deliver whole-class pBuzz lessons. This is the ninth of twelve topics, covering two entire years of learning for children in Key Stage 1 (that's between the ages of five and seven for any educators outside of England and Wales).
In this video overview of the pBuzz Primary Resources, we're tuning into the Melody Makers topic, focusing on pitch. These videos talk through the different areas of focus that you will be using to deliver the lessons on pitch. Although specifically designed for the curriculum in England and Wales, educators from around the world will find plenty of materials to use in their lessons.
Ready to turn your classroom into a symphony of learning? Make sure you start with a quick peek at the planning documents: all of our resources are free to download!
Pitch confusion alert! Remember, high and low notes are not about volume. When we say a note goes up, it doesn't mean it gets louder. This distinction is crucial for our little composers.
1. Visualising Pitch: Kickstart with a visual strategy to show pitch. Use hand movements to represent the melody of the pBuzz Jive, and transition to drawing melodies on the whiteboard. Embrace the creativity; it's all about tuning into the melody!
2. Learning the pBuzz Jive: Dive into the tune of pBuzz Jive. Start with singing, then letter names with slide movements, and finally, play the tune on the pBuzz. Slow and steady wins the race.
3. Creating Own Melodies: Time to get creative! Pupils can use 3, 4, or 5 notes for their compositions. Challenge the adept ones with rhythmic twists or a dash of harmony.
4. Focusing on Melodic Accuracy: Here's where we fine-tune. Concentrate on the pBuzz playing, gently guiding the singing. Explore different slide positions, breath control, and lip shapes to perfect tuning.
5. Consolidation Challenge: Test your class's skills by playing along with the backing track. If things go sideways, no sweat! You can always return to the guide track.
Melodic Journeys Await
You're now equipped to guide your class through the Melody Makers topic. Remember, it's about nurturing a love for music and self-expression, not just hitting the right notes.