KS1 Music: Activities and games for teachers

Ideas for music teaching games and activities for teachers to use in the classroom with primary school pupils

Curriculum notes

These clips are suitable for teaching music at Key Stage 1 in England, Foundation in Wales, Foundation KS1 in Northern Ireland and First Level in Scotland.

Teacher techniques - Teaching melodies

Teach primary school children music by getting them to take part in and create melodies.

Teacher techniques - Ha! (Ensemble music)

Try out teaching music with an ensemble for key stage one children.

Teacher techniques - 1, 2, 3, 4 (Teaching basic rhythms)

A simple game using the four beat pattern to teach children at primary school about the basics of music.

Teacher techniques - 1 to 10 (Group activities)

Build a sense of togetherness when teaching music to primary school children.

Teacher techniques - 8-4-2-1 (Energising children)

Get children active in the classroom or outside with this game for key stage one primary school pupils.

Teacher techniques - Do-Re-Mi (Understanding pitch)

A game for teachers to use with primary school pupils to build an understanding of pitch in music.

Teacher techniques - Swampee (High and low pitch)

Turn recognising changes in pitch into an energetic game with this activity.

Teacher techniques - Composing melodies

For teaching primary school music, get your class composing a melody together.

Teacher techniques - Wizard Hat (Teaching Conducting)

Introduce the concept of conducting in music to primary school children at key stage one.

Teacher techniques - Teaching rhythms

A music activity video tutorial that helps introduce rhythmic exercises.

Teacher techniques - Composing rhythms

A musical activity that helps create and develop new rhythms.

Teacher techniques - Mirror me (Synchronisation)

A game that develops leading an ensemble and a sense of pulse among a group.

Teacher techniques - Forbidden rhythm (Patterns and Attention)

A simple to set up game that is a fun way to use call and response whilst introducing new rhythms.

Teacher techniques - Sound detectives (Conducting and Attention)

A music activity designed to encourage listening and develop musical terminology.

Teacher techniques - (Missing Instruments) Encouraging listening

Use this technique around missing instruments to encourage listening in primary school children at key stage one.

Teacher techniques - Pat Pat Clap (Collective pulse)

Help your class develop a sense of pulse with this simple music game.

Teacher techniques - Mexican clap (Pulse and coordination)

Use the Mexican Clap game to teach primary school children about pitch and coordination in music.

Teacher techniques - Teaching different pitches

Use the game High Low to teach primary school children about pitches music.