Hi, educators! It's time for the third episode three in the pBuzz Primary Resources series! This Minibeasts episode is all about the concept of tempo.
The pBuzz Primary Resources were designed to give all kinds of educators - experienced brass pros to classroom teachers without musical experience - the tools to deliver pBuzz lessons in the classroom.
These free resources were designed for teachers in England and Wales, providing a scheme of work that covers the entire National Curriculum for Music at Key Stage 1 level. This episode is a video overview of the topic featuring pBuzz Ambassador Susie Riddell, while you can download the free resources to deliver the lessons.
Teachers and even parents from areas outside of England and Wales may find some of the worksheets, backing tracks, and guidance useful too. There are also more teaching resources available from our Resources page.
scheme of work that covers the entire National Curriculum for Music at Key Stage 1Before we jump in, you can skim through the planning documents for this topic!
Tempo is the heartbeat of music – it's the speed at which a piece is played. In our Minibeasts adventure, we'll simplify tempo to 'fast' and 'slow', steering clear of those fancy Italian terms for now. Let's crawl and fly through each lesson, shall we?
Lesson-by-Lesson Breakdown: From Exploring Tempo to Composing Melodies
1. Exploring Tempo through Movement: The initial challenge is ensuring pupils understand their music's speed. Encourage them to think critically about their choices – is their mini beast tune a brisk butterfly flutter or a leisurely snail's pace?
2. Buzzing Mini Beast Noises: Here's where we dive into pBuzz techniques with mini beast-inspired buzzes. Start with slow claps, then gradually pick up the pace. This activity culminates in the Slimy Snails Are Slow song with mini beast actions – think fluttering butterflies and scuttling centipedes!
3. Learning the pBuzz Tune: Time to tackle the Slimy Snails Are Slow tune on the pBuzz. Start by singing the notes, match them on the slide, and finally, try playing. Remember, perfection isn't the goal – it's participation and practice.
4. Creating a Three-Note Melody: Building on the two-note melodies from the Superheroes topic, this lesson expands to a three-note tune using F, G, and A. Check the lesson plan for differentiation ideas to suit all learners.
5. Consolidation and Challenge: The final lesson is a consolidation and a challenge – can your pupils sync with the backing track? If it goes off track, no worries – it's all part of the learning journey.
You're all set for a tempo-tastic journey with your mini musicians. Remember, teaching tempo with pBuzz isn't just about notes; it's about bringing the lively world of Mini Beasts into your classroom with a buzz!
Watch the full Minibeasts video for a complete guide and extra tips.
Head over to the pBuzz Primary Resources Page for all the materials you need for a successful lesson.
Starting with pBuzz for the very first time? Whether you are a parent, teacher, or budding buzzer, check out the How to Play pBuzz page.