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South East Essex Academy Trust (SEEAT)

Music

Year 7 Curriculum plans

Term	What are we learning?	What Knowledge, Understanding and Skills will we gain?	What will excellence look like?	How will these be assessed?
Autumn	The Elements of Music and Keyboard Skills	Students will learn the key musical language, and identify all the notes on the keyboard, learning to play one-handed melodies smoothly. Students will work independently and collaboratively on Performance skills and Listening and Appraising skills.	Students will perform confidently, showing good piano technique (use of correct fingers), and an awareness of how the elements of music can be used to create an expressive performance. Students have the ability to articulate how the elements of music have been used to create a variety of moods, and recognise a range of instruments from listening.	Students perform Song of the Bluebird to the class for assessment. Students are also assessed on Listening and Appraising each lesson by the work in their booklets.
Autumn	Ukulele Skills	Students will understand the instrument by naming parts of the Ukulele, they will learn to read chords from TAB and finding correct positions on the Ukulele. Students will develop rhythm skills and learn to change chords fluently in order to perform songs with primary chords.	Students will confidently be able to change between chords whilst maintaining a strumming rhythm. They can give feedback to others on improving their ukulele technique. Students begin to access barre chords and explore a variety of rhythmic patterns.	End of unit performance assessment. Theory and listening and appraising work assessed formatively through booklets.
Spring	African Music	Students will understand how to use notation to compose rhythms. They will develop their performance skills through whole class and small group performances.	Students will be able to lead a group performance confidently, using the elements of music to create expression. Students will compose a piece of music with a thorough understanding of African music conventions and cultural awareness.	End of unit composition and performance assessment. Theory and listening and appraising work assessed formatively through booklets
Summer	Film Music	Students will develop their composition skills, and film music conventions. They will gain an understanding of how the musical elements: tempo, pitch, timbre, texture, dynamics, are used to create a variety of moods in film music.	Students will create a composition which shows an understanding of harmonic, rhythmic and melodic devices. Students will use all the elements of music to create a range of moods, and they pay special attention to timing in order to match the music to the film clip.	An end of unit assessment of practical work. Listening and appraising work is assessed through booklet work.
Summer	Samba	Students will learn about Samba music, including common instruments, rhythmic devices used and context in which it is usually heard. Students will build on their notation skills by reading and writing rhythms using notation.	Students will have a confident grasp of rhythmic devices, including syncopation. They can hold their own rhythmic part in an ensemble and will lead others. Their timing is exemplary and they are able to read notated rhythms and compose their own using written notation.	Practical work will be assessed in an end of term performance. Listening and appraising work is assessed formatively through booklet work.

Year 8 Curriculum plans

Term	What are we learning?	What Knowledge, Understanding and Skills will we gain?	What will excellence look like?	How will these be assessed?
Autumn	Keyboard Skills 2	Students will strengthen their piano skills through learning Fur Elise. Students will begin learning the note positions on the stave and work on their two-handed piano technique.	Students will confidently perform Fur Elise, with the melody part in the right hand and accompanying part in the left hand. The performance is fluent and expressive. Students will perform Fur Elise to the class for assessment.	Students theory and Listening and Appraising work is assessed each lesson in their booklets. End of term performance assessment.
Autumn	Ukulele Skills	Students will understand the instrument by naming parts of the Ukulele, they will learn to read chords from TAB and finding correct positions on the Ukulele. Students will develop rhythm skills and learn to change chords fluently in order to perform songs with primary chords.	Students will confidently be able to change between chords whilst maintaining a strumming rhythm. They can give feedback to others on improving their ukulele technique. Students begin to access barre chords and explore a variety of rhythmic patterns.	End of unit performance assessment. Theory and listening and appraising work assessed formatively through booklets.
Spring	The Blues	Students will gain an understanding into the slave trade, and how this changed American popular music. Students will perform the 12-bar blues on the keyboard and improvise using the blues scale.	Students will confidently play the 12-bar blues chord sequence with a bass line. Students improvise showing development, contrast, and an ability to syncopate rhythms to make the improvisation in keeping with the style.	End of unit performance of 12-bar blues with improvisation Listening and appraising assessed formatively through booklet work.
Summer	Dance Music	Students will develop their composition and ICT skills, as well as gain a deeper understanding of texture, rhythm, harmony and melody.	Students will compose the component parts for a piece of electronic dance music (rhythm, bass line, chord sequence, and melody) as well as creatively choosing instrument sounds and using effects. Students will create an exciting end product by using skills such as panning and tracking the dynamics.	Practical work is assessed through an end of unit assessment. Listening and appraising work is assessed formatively through booklet work.
Summer	Ska	Students will learn about Ska music, including common instruments, rhythmic devices used and context in which it is usually heard. Students will have the opportunity to develop both their composition and ensemble performance skills and arranging a well known Ska song.	Students will have a confident grasp of rhythmic devices, including syncopation and off-beat rhythms. They compose idiomatically, with an understanding of the political context to a lot of reggae music. Their timing is exemplary and they show leadership in ensemble performances.	Practical work will be assessed in an end of term performance of their composition. Listening and appraising work is assessed formatively through booklet work.

Year 9 Curriculum plans

Term	What are we learning?	What Knowledge, Understanding and Skills will we gain?	What will excellence look like?	How will these be assessed?
Autumn	Keyboard Skills 3	Students will strengthen their piano skills through learning Paradise by Coldplay. Students will broaden their music theory by understanding a range of note values, pitches, key and time signatures.	Students will confidently perform Paradise, with the melody part in the right hand and accompanying part in the left hand. The performance is fluent and expressive.Students perform 'Paradise' to the class for assessment.	Students theory and Listening and Appraising work is assessed each lesson in their books. End of term performance assessment.
Autumn	Ukulele 3	Students will develop the ability to play secondary chords as well as the primary chords, with an aim to be able to play chord inversions in more challenging musical pieces. Students will develop rhythmic complexity of pieces, moving smoothly from chord to chord whilst keeping to the rhythm.	Students will confidently change between chords whilst maintaining a strumming rhythm. Students give constructive feedback to others on improving their ukulele technique.	End of unit performance assessment. Theory and listening and appraising work assessed formatively through books
Spring	Film Music	Students will learn what Leitmotif is, and use their knowledge of the elements of music to compose a piece of film music that suits mood and creates atmosphere.	Students' will compose music which successfully matches the mood and atmosphere selected. Students will incorporate a wide variety of musical elements into their pieces.	Students' work is assessed through a final performance/presentation of their composition. Listening and appraising assessed formatively through booklet work.
Summer	Conventions of Pop	Students will gain a broad understanding of a range of popular music styles ranging from 1950s rock n roll to current chart songs. Students will develop their analysis skills as well as compositional skills as they apply their learning.	Students will analyse music and articulate how the elements of music are used in different ways in the various sub-genres. Students’ use of musical vocabulary is excellent, and they compose idiomatically by drawing on the features studied. Students are brave with their creativity, and draw on their own listening to inform decisions they make in their compositions.	Listening and appraising work is assessed formatively through booklet work. Practical work is assessed in an end of term assessment.

Year 10 Curriculum plans

Term	What are we learning?	What Knowledge, Understanding and Skills will we gain?	What will excellence look like?	How will these be assessed?
Autumn	Component 1 Learning Objective A Exploring Music Products and Styles	Students will gain an understanding of musical styles and Musical elements. Delivered through workshop and classroom sessions, students will build on their knowledge of pop styles, non-western musical cultures, classical traditions, and jazz/ blues. Students will develop an understanding of how musical features and style-specific characteristics are used in the creation and understanding of musical pieces	Students will explore and develop their knowledge of western pop styles as well as non-western world styles. Excellent students will engage in listening tasks and comment critically on features of the music, making explicit links between similar genres, while also displaying respect and understanding of culturally significant musical traditions.	Work will be assessed in short listening tests relating to specific styles and genres.
Autumn	Component 1 Learning Objective A and B Exploring Music Products and Styles.	Students will continue with the exploration into musical styles covered in learning objective A. Students will also learn how to apply musical skills into performance and composition.	Students will explore and develop their knowledge of western pop styles as well as non-western world styles. Excellent students will engage in listening tasks and comment critically on features of the music, making explicit links between similar genres, while also displaying respect and understanding of culturally significant musical traditions. Students will also demonstrate their practical ability in workshop sessions and will display excellence through exploring styles out of their comfort zones and expanding their musical abilities.	Work will be assessed in short listening tests relating to specific styles and genres. Students will also be practically assessed in workshop sessions where their practical application skills are assessed.
Spring	Component 2 Music Skills Development	Students will develop professional skills for the music industry such as time management, self-discipline, working with others, and self-assessing their own skills. Students will learn how to plan out their development of a skill and will learn how to keep track of progress to inform their self-evaluation. Students will also learn how to use software to capture their music and progress. They will develop skills in production and mixing to improve their recordings.	Students will explore an instrument of their choice, including vocals, and will demonstrate discipline, resilience, reflective practice, and dedication in their practice. Students will show excellence by learning and refining their musical skills in two musical disciplines. Students will create detailed and insightful practice logs and plans throughout their development.	Work will be assessed against Pearson example assignments. Students will be assessed in practical and theoretical settings with emphasis on their skills displayed, and the reflective work done alongside their practice.
Summer	Component 3 Responding To A Music Brief (Intro and practice run)	Students will develop their skills in the previous units to respond effectively to a set brief. Students will learn how to develop and present their skills effectively.	Students will demonstrate excellent skills in analysing a set brief and planning how to approach the brief. Students will present their work in a variety of ways showcasing their skills in planning, preparation, approach to brief, and their application of skills and knowledge.	Internal assessment using Pearson guidelines and past component three examples.

Year 11 Curriculum plans

Term	What are we learning?	What Knowledge, Understanding and Skills will we gain?	What will excellence look like?	How will these be assessed?
Autumn	AoS5: Conventions of Pop	Students will study timbre, cultural knowledge, structure, changes in pop music from 50s to present day	Students will analyse music and articulate how the elements of music are used in different ways in the various sub-genres. Students’ use of musical vocabulary is excellent. Students are brave with their creativity, and draw on their own listening to inform decisions they could then demonstrate in coursework related to Area of Study One: My Music.	End of unit listening assessment. Including practice exam style questions.
Autumn	Area of Study 3 Rhythms of the World	Students will gain a cultural understanding, and a deeper understanding of how the elements of music are used in Bhangra, Indian Classical Music, Samba, African Drumming, Calypso, Greek, Israeli & Palestinian Music	Students will be able to use musical analysis skills to discuss the key features of a range of non-western musical styles from across the world. Students will be able to identify specific and traditional rhythms characteristically used in non-western musical styles.	End of unit listening assessment. Including practice exam style questions.
Autumn	AoS 1: My Music	Students will develop their instrumental performance skills to work on two performances to the best of their ability. Students will develop their use of instrument and musical features to compose two pieces of music taking great care to be aware of style, musicality, and fluency.	Students will be independent with their own practice and will dedicate time to hone skills and perfect their performances. Students will also develop their own compositional styles through experimenting, practising, and refining their knowledge of musical features to inform their compositions.	End of course coursework marking. Regular check-ins with performance and composition work.
Spring	Area of Study 4: Film Music	Students will study elements of Music: Tempo, Pitch, Timbre, Texture, Dynamics and how these can be used to create different moods.	Students demonstrate a secure knowledge of how the elements of music can be used to manipulate the audience and create a variety of moods from fear to empathy and joy.	End of unit listening assessment. Including practice exam style questions.
Spring	AoS 2: Concerto Through Time	Students will develop an understanding of the key features of Baroque, Classical and Romantic era classical music. Understanding of the orchestra and soloists’ roles in concertos.	Students will be able to identify from listening, a wide range of musical elements and genres. Comment accurately on the key features of each of the areas of study.	End of unit listening assessment. Including practice exam style questions.
Summer	Revision of AoS 2: Concerto through Time, AoS 3: Rhythms of the World, AoS 4: Film Music, AoS 5: Conventions of Pop. Exam preparation, past papers.	Students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the key features of music from the areas of studies.	.Students will be able to recall information and key terms in the correct contexts, and relating to the correct styles within areas of study. Students will be able to use their knowledge of key terms and concepts to approach exam questions and exam practice.	Exam practice questions and key term quizzes to assist and test recall of information. Specific focus given to how certain terms are universal and how some terms are specific to only one style.

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