pBuzz Primary Resources: Episode Twelve

January 15th, 2024 | 1 min read

Hello! This is the last video guide to the melodious world of teaching pBuzz. The theme for this topic is Musical Maestros, a symphony of assessment opportunities aligned with Key Stage 1 expectations.

The pBuzz Primary Resources series covers two years of learning, an entire scheme of work for Key Stage 1 learners in England and Wales. The free resources are supported by video overviews, presented by pBuzz ambassador Susie Riddell. If you are teaching kids in another country, if you have no musical experience, or even if you are a parent looking to give your child a musical headstart, there are still plenty of materials that you can use to aid their pBuzz progression!

Ready to orchestrate a classroom of budding musicians? Let's dive in!

How to Teach Whole-Class Music with pBuzz

This topic brings together various elements of the National Curriculum: expressive singing, instrument playing, attentive listening, and adventurous sound experimentation. Each lesson is a note in this educational melody, aiming to hit every key of the curriculum.

Lesson Breakdown: From Chants to Maestro Moments

1. Expressive Voices and Creative Chants:
- Focus: Voice modulation in chants and singing accuracy in Top To Toe.
- Key Assessment: Can pupils creatively use their voices and craft an original chant?
- Expected Level: Ability to manipulate speaking voices, accurate melody singing, and original chant creation.

2. Musical Instrument Play:
- Focus: Playing the pBuzz part in the topic song and improvising with untuned percussion.
- Flexibility: Shift struggling pupils to tuned percussion for inclusivity.
- Assessment: Look for musical, not just fast, playing.

3. Attentive Listening:
- Focus: Identifying and describing the interrelated dimensions in music.
- Creative Responses: Dance, graphic scores, or verbal feedback.
- Assessment: Recognition of musical dimensions and their purpose.

4. Sound Experimentation:
- Focus: Understanding and applying musical dimensions.
- Activities: Sound selection to represent musical terms and creating structured, textured music with various timbres.
- Assessment: Creation of a structured piece with multiple timbres indicating a grasp of texture.

5. Consolidation and Celebration:
- A joyous lesson where pupils choose what to listen to and perform, reflecting on their musical journey.

The Maestro's Baton

And there you have it – your compass to guide young musical explorers through the Musical Maestros topic. As they journey from chants to compositions, watch as they transform into mini maestros, ready to conduct their symphonies of sound.

Watch the Musical Maestros video for detailed insights.
Visit the pBuzz Primary Resources Page for all necessary materials.
Want to see where pBuzz learning can lead? See and hear how students in Swansea celebrated a year of buzzing!

Adam McCulloch

Adam is the Content Manager at pBone Music. This should mean that he’s the ideal person to write about himself, but he finds boasting in the third person a little awkward. He honed his word wizardry with a degree in English Language and Literature at the University of Leeds. He has since written copy for clients and businesses across the land, from awards to something beginning with “z”. He also spent a number of years as a musician. He has written pop songs and even jingles for kids, performed more first dances at weddings than you could shake a pBuzz at, and once played a gig for a pie company at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester. When he’s not reminiscing about those good old days, you might find Adam enjoying the football (although as an Everton fan, that can be difficult). He also loves spending time with his partner, Jen, and his family and friends, and sincerely hopes they feel the same way.