Teaching resources
Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2
Flora Sheringham compiled this wonderful resource in 2002 which was then called Little Pieces. This interesting collection brought together some musical gems with which to enhance delivery of dance within EYFS strand ‘Expressive Arts and Design’ and with progression to Dance at KS1. The pieces were chosen specifically to enable listening and responding through dance and are taken from a wide range of styles, genres and traditions.
This exciting resource has now been updated, adopting many of Flora’s insightful ideas and music choices. Dream with your Feet is now available online with detailed practitioners’ notes, offering creative ideas, not only for initiating dance and movement, but also providing cross-curricular activities to connect music and movement to the EYFS Framework and the wider KS1 curriculum.
The activities are aimed at the generalist: they are practical, concise, accessible … ‘pick up and go’ materials. The EYFS Framework and KS1 curriculum notes were written by Sue Nicholls. The dance notes were created by Karen Bailey.
Teddy Bears’ Picnic
March Militaire
La Cumparsita
Gymnopedie
Polka
Mother Goose
When the Saints
Maple Leaf Rag
Tin Roof Blues
Can Can
Tortoise
Grasshopper
Waltz
Round Dance
Bouncing beans:
But what’s our next move
Bim bam boogie
Bounce Bezulah
Four round the ring
Calypso Circle
Hop little frog
Jiggle about
Dancing in the ring
Humpty Dumpty
Old MacScrunchie
Pirates push and pull
Rock-a-bye Rosie
Such a silly song
Roll a ball
Roly poly pumpkin
Sing a scrunchie
Spaceship trip
Spinning wheel
Swim swim swim
Swing time
Up and down and inside out slower
Who’s in the castle
The Musical Journeys Series is a set of six themed videos developed and performed by Swan’s Diane (flute), Sally (clarinet) and Oliver (bassoon)
All videos comprise of music, song, performance opportunities, animations and gestures to make them as accessible and inclusive as possible for your pupils. Each video is supported by its own Scheme of Work which will enable you to develop further activity ideas throughout your term.
This free resource has been designed to be accessible and inclusive and with SEND settings in mind, but may be appropriate also for KS1 & 2:
Click here for the videos and guidance notes
Create & Sing is an accessible approach that combines singing and drama to build pupils’ self-expression, creative collaboration, performance confidence, voice, movement, and memory skills. It is part of the award-winning ROH National Schools Programme.
This is a free programme with all costs (including transportation to in-person events) met by ROH. For more information, please contact Kerrie Walters (Kerrie.Walters@roh.org.uk) or visit www.roh.org.uk
Bookings are welcome from all schools, with priority given to schools in North Northamptonshire; this is due to targeted funding given to the project. The programme is aimed at KS1/KS2, but would also be appropriate for older pupils in secondary schools (Year 7) or pupils in SEND settings.
There are four ways to get involved:
- CPD Day – hosted by Malcolm Arnold Academy, this is completely FREE for teachers and musicians from Northamptonshire and Rutland schools
- Friday 12th January, 9.00am-3.00pm
- Click here for more information and to book your place
- Meet the Artists – introduce opera in a fun and accessible way by joining our interactive digital workshop from your classroom. Ask opera singers questions and explore their creative process (no pre-teaching necessary)
- Thursday 8th February, 10.45am – 11.45am
- Create & Sing in your classroom – put our flexible 5 lesson teaching resources into practice. Use our detailed lesson plans and high-quality digital resources.
- Share & Celebrate! Join ROH artists, and other schools across the country, online, to share your learning and celebrate your school’s participation in Create & Sing
- Thursday 28th March, 10.45am – 11.45am
“When the Royal Opera House say that opera is for everyone, they really walk the talk. Clearly structured lesson plans with all supporting interactive material make using these resources a faff-free experience for teachers.” – Teach Primary 2022 judging panel
Modulo is a fully supported opportunity for inclusive ensemble music-making. Teachers and conductors will benefit from:
- bespoke arrangements of varied music
- tutor-led workshops
- free CPD
- 2 majority-funded school trips
The main aim of the Modulo programme is to create an environment where young people, from any background, can thrive and enjoy making music with others, regardless of what instrument they play, their previous experience or ability.
Orchestras for All will support Modulo leaders to develop the skills and confidence to set up their own Modulos, which rehearse regularly and explore new music. The longer-term aim is to help music leaders transform the musical offer in their school or community through setting up sustainable, fun and incredible music-making opportunities.
Modulo ensembles come together twice a year, in inspiring Arts venues, to form large-scale ensembles that include a wide variety of instruments and abilities, supported by professional orchestral musicians.
Click here to see the online brochure and find more information
Contact: Jenny Forbes (jenny.forbes@orchestrasforall.org)
Apply by: 5.00pm on Friday 20th October
A selection of other resources to build on your curriculum delivery:
Key Stage 3
Created in celebration of the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, this resource explores a range of Beethoven’s most well-loved pieces.
- Beethoven 9 listening resource introduction
- 1 Beethoven beginnings
- 2 Beethoven card sort
- 3 Beethoven comparisons
- 4 Beethoven cut up
- 3 Beethoven comparisons
- 5 Beethoven graphics
- 6 Beethoven jigsaw discussion
- 7 Beethoven odd one out
- 8 Beethoven screen play
- 9 Beethoven slow movement
- Beethoven 9 complete listening resource
A scheme of work for History and Music at KS3 exploring Afro-beat music. This interdisciplinary unit could be adapted for GCSE and is based on the life and music of Nigerian musician Fela Kuti. Fela Kuti was a musician and political activist whose musical style developed into Afro-beat, a style which profoundly influenced Funk music in the 1970s.
Originally written as a resource for the Royal Opera Fanfare competition, these document provide complete schemes of work for different secondary age groups.
It should be noted that the KS4 resource was originally written to link with past specifications and is therefore out of date, however, the resources may still provide relevant learning opportunities and activities which can be enjoyed and infused into existing schemes of work.
NMPAT are working on an exciting new partnership with Virtuoso. Virtuoso is an online resource which covers electronic and rap music, DJing and song writing. With over 300 hours of online classes, this is a vibrant, interactive resource that is helping many schools to widen the genres of music-making that their students engage with, in and out of school. We are also hoping that Virtuoso will come and deliver some CPD for us – watch this space!
In the meantime, do check out their website to find out more: https://playvirtuoso.com/
The Modulo Programme has been specially designed, by Orchestras for All, to assist music leaders to set up an inclusive ‘Modulo’ ensemble within their school or local community. The main aim of the Modulo programme is to create an environment where young people from any background can thrive and enjoy making music with others, regardless of what instrument they play, their previous experience or ability.
Modulo ensembles come together twice a year in inspiring Arts venues, to form large-scale ensembles that include a wide variety of instruments and abilities, supported by professional orchestral musicians. Modulo leaders will be supported to develop the skills and confidence to set up their own Modulos, which rehearse regularly and explore new music.
The Modulo programme is particularly looking to support schools that have the least musical opportunities available, and to champion Early Career Music Teachers, whilst helping them to develop their skills; or to upskill experienced teachers who may need support to increase inclusive ensemble provision in their school.
Membership of the Modulo programme provides rehearsal resources, bespoke and accessible arrangements, teacher CPD, a workshop in school, and the opportunity to attend 2 Modulo Meets at inspiring Arts venues and conservatoires. We ask for a £250 contribution to the costs of the programme (7% of the full cost), but if this is out of reach, we can discuss this amount with any individual school. Cost should not be a barrier to participation!
Click to find out more about the Orchestras for All – Modulo programme
A selection of other resources to build on your curriculum delivery:
SEND
The Musical Journeys Series is a set of six themed videos developed and performed by Swan’s Diane (flute), Sally (clarinet) and Oliver (bassoon)
All videos comprise of music, song, performance opportunities, animations and gestures to make them as accessible and inclusive as possible for your pupils. Each video is supported by its own Scheme of Work which will enable you to develop further activity ideas throughout your term.
This free resource has been designed to be accessible and inclusive and with SEND settings in mind, but may be appropriate also for KS1 & 2:
Click here for the videos and guidance notes
Modulo is a fully supported opportunity for inclusive ensemble music-making. Teachers and conductors will benefit from:
- bespoke arrangements of varied music
- tutor-led workshops
- free CPD
- 2 majority-funded school trips
The main aim of the Modulo programme is to create an environment where young people, from any background, can thrive and enjoy making music with others, regardless of what instrument they play, their previous experience or ability.
Orchestras for All will support Modulo leaders to develop the skills and confidence to set up their own Modulos, which rehearse regularly and explore new music. The longer-term aim is to help music leaders transform the musical offer in their school or community through setting up sustainable, fun and incredible music-making opportunities.
Modulo ensembles come together twice a year, in inspiring Arts venues, to form large-scale ensembles that include a wide variety of instruments and abilities, supported by professional orchestral musicians.
Click here to see the online brochure and find more information
Contact: Jenny Forbes (jenny.forbes@orchestrasforall.org)
Apply by: 5.00pm on Friday 20th October
Supported by the Music Education Hubs East Midlands consortium, this ‘all thriller, no filler’ website presents key learning from the first three years of the Youth Music funded UpRising! Project, and is likely to be useful for all educators making music in inclusive settings.
The resource brings together decades of experience and learning into practical, bitesize advice and guidance. Key areas include:
- Creating and sustaining inclusive ensembles in schools and within music hubs
- Best practice when working with individuals with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD)
- Top tips for working with students with specific needs
- Curriculum development for special education settings
- Shared lived experiences from Disabled musicians and educators
- Trusted, tried and tested resources from across the sector
A selection of other resources to build on your curriculum delivery:
CPD courses and network meetings
Develop all areas of your professional practice with CPS courses run by NMPAT, in partnership with local and national experts and organisations.
Supported by:
