During the day the children will listen to different genres of music and appraise what they hear using their understanding of musical elements such as pulse, tempo, rhythm or pitch and relate this to different emotions.
They will create art while listening to a piece of music, write adjectives or a description of the images created in their imaginations. Other activities may include a survey of the most popular music in each class, creating a playlist for the school disco, or researching the history of music.
Where does your interest in music come from?
I have worked at Astley Primary for 12 years and am a teacher in Lions class with Miss Coleman as well as Curriculum Lead for both Music and Primary Languages. My interest in Music comes from watching musicals with my mum as a child, singing and dancing along with Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire, wearing my leotard and footless tights and dancing along with ‘Pans People’ on Top of the Pops! I had piano lessons as a child and love to play the Ukulele.
In what ways is music important for pupils in school, both academically and mentally?
Playing happy, relaxing music helps my class have a calm start to the day. I use music and dance in my lessons as much as possible, as this helps children retain information in their long-term memory. It's also a good skill to help win House Team competitions!! We learn better when we’re happy and singing helps children engage in learning in a fun way. Songs are like ear worms and so this helps with remembering Times Tables or counting in French. I'll match music to the lessons, such as playing Bhangra music while learning about Diwali in RE.
How does Music tie-in with what Astley aims to achieve in our ACE curriculum?
Well-being and Enrichment are two essential parts of the ACE Curriculum and Music provides both of these. From the enjoyment and feeling of belonging that whole school singing provides to the opportunities to learn to play an instrument. Singing uses every part of the brain so it actually makes your brain stronger!
What can pupils look forward to in Music lessons at Astley in the summer term?
Astley looks forward to the opportunity for Ukulele Club and Choir to begin again. Children across the school will continue to learn about musical elements such as pulse, rhythm, pitch and tempo and of course, on Thursday 25th March we have our Music Focus Day with the theme of 'The Power of Music.'
How have Covid 19 restrictions impacted music at Astley?
The children have missed out on whole school and group singing. Singing was permitted in class groups at Christmas and this meant the Foundation Stage / KS1 Nativity still went ahead with some clever editing! The Norfolk Music Hub have created an adapted scheme so children can still engage in their lessons and stay safe. The Hub hosted a virtual Big Sing event in the summer term. Currently, no whole class singing is permitted but we are using the adapted schemes from the Hub. In Year 1 last week we learned how to use sign language to perform a group song. Some music lessons, like piano, drums and guitar were stopped for part of the academic year but some have been able to begin again.
What would your biggest hope or most important aim for music at Astley Primary School?
My biggest hope would be that Music helps all children and staff to stay happy and strong until we are allowed to sing together again. Our most important aim is that every child has the opportunity for an enriched experience through playing instruments and taking part in musical or dance performances and competitions.
Thank you, Miss Holness, for being in our ACE Spotlight!
Miss Holness brings us ACE Music Focus Day 25th March.
