Music / Year 5 and 6 / Exploring and responding

Curriculum content descriptions

explore ways that the elements of music are combined in music across cultures, times, places and/or other contexts (AC9AMU6E01)

Elaborations
  • listening to music that uses a range of instrumentation or forms (song forms, theme and variations, binary) and describing how the elements of music are used or combined; for example, identifying which instruments are playing the melody and which are playing accompanying parts, or exploring the effect of changing instruments by comparing original versions with arrangements/covers/reimagined versions
  • evaluating and discussing (using their own words and learnt music terminology) personal preferences for music from a range of contexts and cultures, such as music they listen to for leisure/pleasure, music they play in an ensemble, music that is important to their family or community, music they listen to for inspiration for their own compositions or performances, or music in specific genres such as music for screen-based contexts such as games or videos
  • identifying and describing features of music that create effects, such as ways in which elements of music are manipulated (using rhythm, melody, articulation, dynamics or instrumentation) or use of compositional devices/structural features such as riffs or use of specific instrumental techniques; for example, strumming patterns
  • listening to (and/or performing) and responding to music from a variety of contexts and cultures, such as Asian cultures; for example, discussing what they like about the music and why they think the composer/performer chose to write/perform the music, using their own words and learnt music terminology, and giving reasons for their opinions
  • considering ways in which music is used in celebrations, ceremonies or rituals; for example, at their school or in their local community, and exploring ways the music is used to give structure to the occasion or to communicate themes such as identity or belonging
  • demonstrating understanding of the form and structure of popular songs; for example, using parody to demonstrate the different structures used within popular song, discussing different processes for writing lyrics that tell a story, collaboratively generating ideas to create new lyrics to known music, rehearsing the re-imagined song (using aural, technical and expressive skills) and performing their song parody to their peers
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Literacy Literacy
ScOT terms

Ear training,  Culture,  Music,  Cultural contexts,  Musical elements,  Rhythm (Music),  Dynamics (Music),  Pitch (Music),  Aural skills

Video

Digital Music Composition Resource

This co-created learning resource introduces students to digital music production as a contemporary mode of composition. The music making process for Red Dirt Riders is explored with reference to the elements of music, planning tools to meet a creative brief, and the importance of listening to our creative instincts. This ...

Interactive

Body beats

Students use Chrome Music Lab to explore rhythm using body percussion.

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ME3PO – creative arts with aliens

An alien-themed creative arts resource exploring music, visual arts and drama. Students discover futuristic sounds, create art and act like an alien.

Online

TSO Songbook Part 2: Along the Peterskaya

Along the Peterskaya is a version of a well-known Russian folk tune. The melody has used in compositions by many composers including Stravinsky and Balakirev. This version was commissioned for the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra who have created a range of resources to explore and perform the song (in English) in the classroom. ...

Online

TSO Songbook Part 2: Tafta Hindi

Tafta Hindi is a version of a folk song that is well known in Arabic-speaking countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region. The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra have created a range of resources to explore and perform the song (in English) in the classroom. Resources include a teacher's guide with differentiated teaching and ...

Online

TSO Songbook Part 1: Ai Hai Yo

Ai Hai Yo is a traditional song from the Han culture in China that marks the start of a new year. The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra have created a range of resources to explore and perform the song (in English and Mandarin) in the classroom. Resources include a teacher's guide with differentiated teaching and learning activities ...

Online

TSO Songbook Part 1: Chan Mali Chan

Chan Mali Chan is a popular folk song from Malaysia and Singapore. The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra have created a range of resources to explore and perform the folk song (in English and Malaysian) in the classroom. Resources include a teacher's guide with differentiated teaching and learning activities and assessment ideas ...

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TrackSAFE Education Primary School Resources: Year 5, Year 6 The Arts

This unit uses dance, drama, visual arts and music to communicate student-created safety messages. Using a community-based scenario, students devise an improvised drama and choreograph a dance to highlight the importance of safe track-side behaviours; they use artworks to explore the effect of colour before creating a cartoon-based ...

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What is a Symphony Orchestra?

This set of resources introduces students to the instruments in a symphony orchestra and supports development of skills in aural identification of instrumental timbre. Conductor Richard Gill AO and musicians from the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra introduce woodwind, brass, string and percussion instruments in a video resource. ...

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Beethoven Allegretto

This set of resources explores beat and rhythm, melody, instruments, texture and structure. They focus on the Allegretto movement from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major Op. 92. A video features conductor Richard Gill AO with musicians of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra explaining how Beethoven built this iconic Allegretto ...

Video

What's that mystery instrument?

Watch this video to learn about a spooky sounding instrument called the theremin. How is it played? Listen as it joins the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to play music from the TV show Dr Who. Do you like the sounds it makes? Why or why not?

Video

Can you clap the cymbal part from Carmen?

Get your clapping hands ready and join the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as they play some music from the opera Carmen, by composer Bizet. Follow along with host Paul Rissmann and see if you can keep up with the orchestra! How does this piece of music make you feel? Why do you think it has that effect?

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Who's that cheeky gnome?

Listen as host Paul Rissmann tells a story about Mussorgsky and a gnome called Harry. How does the orchestra's music help to tell the story?

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What a colourful exhibition!

As the orchestra plays a piece of music called "The Ballet of the Chickens in their Shells", lots of artworks are flashed up on the screen.These pictures were sent in for the concert from schools around Australia. If the music inspries you, perhaps you could make your own artwork.

Video

Lights out!

Host Paul Rissmann describes a scene where Mussorgsky finds himself all of a sudden in the dark. How does the music add to the scariness of this story?

Video

Can you hear the famous rhythm?

Beethoven was a composer who lived about 200 years ago. Have a listen as the orchestra plays one of his most well known pieces of music. Do you recognise it? Can you hear Beethoven's famous rhythm being repeated in the music?

Video

Come and meet the instruments video

Come and meet the orchestra! The musicians are wearing 4 different colours to show which section they belong to. Can you name the 4 sections of the orchestra? What are the names of some of the instruments in each section?

Video

Listen to music inspired by paintings

This piece of music is called ""Pictures at an Exhibition"". It was written by a Russian composer called Mussorgsky. He was inspired to write this piece of music when he went to see his friend's paintings in an exhibition. As you listen to the orchestra playing the music, perhaps you can imagine you are walking through ...

Video

BTN: Tiwi music: Keeping an ancient culture alive

Discover how music and dance are helping to keep the traditions of the Tiwi people alive. The customs and stories of the Tiwi people have been passed on to new generations through storytelling, song and dance. Many of the remaining languages of Australia's ancient Indigenous cultures are being lost. Today there is a race ...

Video

BTN: A journey into world music

From Japanese drumming to African choirs, there is a wide world of music to be enjoyed beyond mainstream pop music in Australia. Music from one culture will often sound very different to music from another, using varied musical styles and instruments. Come along on a musical journey and explore the increasingly popular ...