Unit of Work
Year
7
Understanding the conventions of
Title
Stage and
objective of
understanding
Context (matched
to stage of
understanding)
African Music
Learn how musical sounds can be manipulated into effective and predictable patterns
and structures to reflect simple contexts by:
Learning how to use patterns of sound to create a specific mood for a defined but basic
expressive purpose.
Learning why, how or that
African
music is:
Community music-making for different purposes such as celebrations, entertainment,
warnings, and communicative purposes.
Focus of practical
experience
Learning that the key characteristics of
African
music are:
 Drumming – types of drums
 Repetition of rhythms
 Polyrhythmic cyles
 Call and response
 Importance of use of the voice
 Master drummer – use of signals
 Layering
Performing – class performance and small group performances of African drumming for
specific purposes
Features of
musical elements
Repetition of rhythms – polyrhythmic cycles
Use of call and response
Conventions,
processes and
procedures
(matched to stage
of understanding)
Development of
skills
Expected outcome
of understanding
(related to context
and conventions
and how it will be
demonstrated in
practical work)
Expected outcome
of knowledge and
skills (for all,
some, a few
pupils)
Performing rhythms which fit together, at a steady tempo, to create a piece of music for a
defined purpose
Pupils will show their understanding of
African Music
by:
Students understand how the layers of African music fit together, and can identify how
the music works to realise a simple but defined purpose. They produce effective,
repetitive rhythms that match basic intentions, but do not readily reflect the full breadth
of wider musical contexts of the genre.
(assessed as developing, secure or strong)
Elements
All
Will understand and describe how rhythms can be used to create particular effects
Most
Will understand and recognise the use of call and response in African drumming music
Some
Will understand the how the combination of call and response rhythms and/or
vocalisations create effective drumming pieces for particular circumstances
Skill(s)
All
Will perform simple repetitive rhythms individually and as a class, at a steady tempo
Most
Will perform simple repetitive rhythms in small groups, at a steady tempo
Some
Will take a leading role as the caller within a small group, and perform simple repetitive
patterns, at a steady tempo
Sequence of Learning
Essential Activities
Recognise African music
L1 – Starter – listen to a piece of African music
Where is it from? How do you know?
PP – African music – context, place in society,
intentions of African music
Create rhythms in pairs using drums
Plenary – listen and discuss
Learn about African music and it’s place in African
societies – including how, when, and what it is used
for
Learn about call and response
Perform rhythms using combinations of techniques to
create different sounds
Learn about types of drums used in African music
and the different sounds the drums can make
Understand and describe the term
polyrhythms/polyrhythmic cycles
Understand and describe how African drumming can
be used for different events/intentions
Recognise different intentions for African drumming
through different sounds, rhythms, and moods
Perform African drumming rhythms as a class
Understand and describe the use of a signal/master
drummer in African music
Perform African drumming pieces in small groups
L2 – Starter –
Practical call and response session – clapping
and then using drums
Discuss and practice making different sounds
using the Djembes
PP – African musical instruments
Plenary - facts
L3 – Starter –
Practical session – learn three rhythms
Perform three rhythms separately and together
at a steady tempo
Discussion about polyrhythms and polyrhythmic
cycles
Plenary L4 – Starter –
Perform different rhythms with different
intentions to the class
Discuss how African music is used for different
intentions
Discuss/refresh what these intentions may be
Practical drumming session – refreshing
rhythms – as a whole class
L5 – Starter – class performance of rhythms – record
Small group practice rhythms
Reminder of necessity for intention of the music
Extension – master drummer signal start, end
and middle
L6 – Starter Practice small group performances
Record small group performances
Discuss the effectiveness/intention/success
using the conventions