Below are some ideas for where to go for high quality educational resources that can support the planning and delivery of your curriculum.
- BBC Bring the Noise
A handy resource for teachers of EYFS, KS1 and KS2. Not only does Bring the Noise include lesson plans, there are also videos to support teachers develop their knowledge and skills and resources to support those who work with children with additional needs.
- BBC 10 pieces
BBC 10 pieces now has even more to offer! With 40 pieces spanning a range of styles and genres this resource is incredibly helpful for those planning primary and secondary music curriculums. For each piece you will find free teaching resources, exciting short films, lesson plans, arrangements and more.
- Discover Classroom 200
ABRSM have created a free online resource for music teachers working with learners up to the age of 14. It features music in a wide range of styles, plus accompanying lesson plans. Classroom 200 follows on from, and links to, Classical 100, a compilation of 100 iconic classical pieces and related resources. It is suitable to experienced music teachers as well as non-specialists.
- Royal Opera House Learning Platform
A wonderful free learning platform from Royal Opera House that includes teacher training, classroom films, lesson plans and resources to use in ways that suit the needs of the teachers and their students. Teachers do not need any previous knowledge of opera in order to take part.
Royal Opera House Learning Platform
- London Philharmonic Orchestra Express Yourself
The London Philharmonic Orchestra presents Express Yourself, a series of three short films of contrasting musical moods, to channel feelings both positive and more difficult.
Aimed at children aged 7–11 and presented by award-winning musician and broadcaster YolanDa Brown, the series explores music to express feelings of joy, anger, sadness, playfulness and more. Each film comes with free written resources for teachers, offering ways for children to explore the music and emotions further.
London Philharmonic Orchestra Express Yourself
- Inspire Works free YouTube Workshops
Inspire works created online workshops during lockdown. These are still available can be used in classrooms to deliver a range of World Music topics or as professional development for teachers to learn from and deliver in classrooms!
Inspire Works free YouTube Workshops
- Minute of listening
Inspire works created online workshops during lockdown. These are still available can be used in classrooms to deliver a range of World Music topics or as professional development for teachers to learn from and deliver in classrooms!
- The Benedetti Foundation
Head to the ‘Primary Music’ section where you will be able to find a booklet for 6 KS1 lessons developed by Jimmy Rotherham and The Benedetti Foundation and 12 lessons for KS2. The lessons include a range of activities as well as videos to support teachers to deliver the exercises.
- Smashbeats
Smashbeats is a percussion based programme developed by Kent Music for use in school years 5-7. It’s accessible for specialist and non-specialist music teachers, and while it’s specifically for use in years 5 – 7, it has useful exercises for students at many levels. - > Smashbeats Rhythm Cards
- > Smashbeats Activity 1: The Name Game
- > Smashbeats Activity 2 : Rhythm Pieces from Words
- > Smashbeats Activity 3: Stories and Composition
- > Smashbeats Activity 4: Multi-Layered Rhythms
- > Smashbeats Activity 5: Rap
- > Smashbeats Activity 6: Rhythm Grid
- > Smashbeats Activity 7: First You Make Your Fingers Click
- > Smashbeats Activity 8: Rhythm Cards
- > Smashbeats Activity 9: Visual Sounds
- > Smashbeats Activity 10: Syncopation
Technology Resources
- Ableton Loops Grid
This is a simple 4X4 grid to help those on their first journey exploring music technology. With pre-set loops it’s easily accessible for pupils of all ages, and gives instant results. A great resource to support the learning of structure, texture, pulse and rhythm!
- MusicLab – Chrome Experiments
There are a variety of activities to use on this site allowing students opportunities to explore and experiment with sound, pitch, texture, rhythm and pulse.
- Incredibox
Gamified music tech resource where pupils can experiment with pre-set loops and make musical choices.
Singing Resources
- The Voices Foundation
The Voices Foundation provided virtual assemblies during lockdown which they have left available for everyone to use! This is a fantastic way to get your pupils singing, or even better use them as training and professional development opportunities for your staff and get more singing happening in school! There are a range of other materials on their website to support the development of singing in your school too.
- Kodaly Centre
The Voices Foundation provided virtual assemblies during lockdown which they have left available for everyone to use! This is a fantastic way to get your pupils singing, or even better use The Kodaly Centre provides access to a wide range of Kodaly tunes suitable for primary age pupils. The website includes notation as well as recordings of the tunes for staff to learn and use in their music teaching.