Music Resources for Key Stage 2

ICT-based Curriculum Resources KS 2
(to age 11)

GridPlay:
Creative Explorations Level 2

Software to support creative music-making at Key Stages 2-3. There are 15 interactive grids, each a mini-application with suggestions to get the creative juices flowing. "Exploring the Grids" offers suggestions for both individual and group use, along with ways of integrating the software with other musical resources. No special musical or technical knowledge is required to get started on your own creative explorations!

In creative activities, the same resources can be used by musicians of different ages, experience or levels of skill, so the grids are suitable for use in a wide range of situations. In the notes, however, we have focussed mainly on activities accessible to pupils at Key Stage 2 of the UK music curriculum.

Format: CD Rom

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MIDIgrid

is a most unusual program! Initially conceived as a tool for professional composers, it has a simple enough interface to be used by very young children. This is the musical equivalent of a box of paints - and a whole lot more besides, providing new ways to explore, perform and compose music.

Create and play virtual instruments

Improvise & compose

Make multi-track recordings

Create your own interactive teaching resources

The present MIDIgrid for Windows is a basic version of this powerful program, including just those facilities most useful in the classroom, and suitable for use by specialist and non-specialist teachers alike. It offers unparalleled opportunities for users, of all ages and abilities, to explore the building blocks of musical composition.

MIDIgrid comes with a number of pre-prepared grids suitable for use at key stages 1-4, along with full teaching notes for composition projects at key stages 1 & 2. These demonstrate how the software might be used both for structured teaching with a creative focus and for free exploration. The activities integrate the ‘performing’, ‘composing’ and ‘using ICT’ strands of the music curriculum.

Format: CD Rom
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"Music for All Seasons" Miscellaneous Scores
Downloadable PDF sheet music with online playback

Online music to share, with something for all ages and abilities. Listen online and use our Flash playback as backing tracks. The sheet music for these songs is available as PDF (what's PDF?) downloads. Each season there is a link to a fresh 'Family Fun' activity page, featuring selected scores. These provide a means of achieving many objectives from the QCA programmes of study at Key Stages 1 & 2. The scores themselves will provide performance materials for Key Stage 3 - Adult.

Format: Flash/PDF
Price: See individual scores

Music for Christmas
Downloadable PDF sheet music with online playback

Christmas music to explore online. The sheet music for these songs is available in downloadable PDF (what's PDF?) format. The 'Simply Carols' series consists of mix 'n' match arrangements of familiar carols. Instrumental parts can be played as written or used as the basis for your own improvised music. 'Children's Christmas' includes original seasonal songs for children to sing and play and ideas for creative activities.

Format: Flash/PDF
Price: See individual scores

Classroom Ensembles
Downloadable PDF sheet music with online playback

These are simple arrangements, suitable for Junior/Beginner Ensembles. They are conceived as 3-part arrangements (M-Parts), with easy additional parts (A-Parts). However, only the melody line, which is suitable for descant recorders, etc., is essential. Teachers can mix 'n' match other parts, as they wish, making them very flexible resources for use at Key Stages 2 and 3. These pieces have all been used in classes with a wide range of abilities. A custom arrange/print service is also available. Teachers' Notes, available separately, detail improvisation and composition activities based on these ensembles.

Format: Flash/PDF
Price: See individual scores

Get Creative in the Classroom - Level 2

Teachers' notes on improvisation in the classroom. These are in downloadable PDF format (what's PDF?). They support creative work based on our flexible and interactive classroom ensembles, Level 2 introduces activities in a manner that is Key Stage 2 appropriate but the same material has been successfully used in a variety of other situations.

In a mixed ability setting, it can be very helpful to combine creative work with ensemble playing. This resource allows the teacher, in addition to covering the creative aspects of the programme of study, to focus attention on parts other than the melody and to give less able performers longer exposure to the piece without boring the high-flyers. It is important that everyone should have the opportunity to work creatively, at various times. Even where all pupils are capable of playing the melody, it is sometimes useful to play the synthesized music, online, freeing everyone to try other things.

These resources encourage the integration of listening, playing and composing skills, as required at Key Stages 2 & 3. They are very suitable for use by non-specialist teachers.

Get Creative L2 / Carnival of Venice

Teachers' notes on using the online resource, 'Carnival of Venice' to teach improvisation and composition.

Exploring triple time / Improvising accompaniments

Format: pdf

Get Creative L2 / Portsmouth

Teachers' notes on using the online resource, 'Portsmouth' to teach improvisation & composition.

Rhythmic improvisation / melodic accompaniments

Format: pdf
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Get Creative L2 / Minuet II

Teachers' notes on using the online resource, 'Minuet II' to teach improvisation & composition.

Rhythmic improvisation / Balancing phrases / Using contrasts

Format: pdf

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Get Creative L2 / German Dance

Teachers' notes on using the online resource, 'German Dance' to teach improvisation & composition.

Upbeats and accents / melodies from chords

Format: pdf

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"Get Creative L2" resources are in pdf format and are delivered as email attachments. You need a pdf reader to open the files and we have included a link to download the free Adobe Reader, if you do not already have one.

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"A Bell Round", Age 8-12 Score with T. Notes

Developing part singing and playing

Objectives:
a) build confidence in small group singing
b) develop ability to sing (at least) short phrases in two parts
c) provide opportunities to create more complex ad-hoc arrangements

Format: Flash/PDF

Print the melody (Page 1 of score) for free!

Custom Arrange & Print Service

Switch Users & the Music Teacher

Many disabled pupils, unable to make music in any other way, can participate in a musical performance if they have switch access. In the music classroom, switch systems may be used in two ways: they are communication aids, used as controllers for speech synthesisers, text writers, etc., and also serve as virtual musical instruments, controlling various sound-making devices. It is important that, when used as virtual instruments, they should be treated in the same way as any other musical instrument.
This leaflet will assist teachers in using the switch system as an integrated resource for classroom music-making.

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