Primary Music KS2: Romans - 1. Signals!

BBC Teach > School Radio > Music KS2 > Romans

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7 - Part 8 - Part 9 - Part 10

The first song explores how the Romans used instruments to convey battle signals.

Introduction

We meet Mercury - messenger of the Roman gods and goddesses - and learn to say his 'chant' in rhythm to whizz us from place to place. He takes us on a whistle-stop tour of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire.

We perform rhythm-actions for making buildings, bridges and roads and learn how the Roman army communicated movements in code, with fanfare signals.

In the song ‘Signals!’ we try out some fanfare horn-calls in an echo-game and also learn to sing the Latin names of three cities in Roman Britain. The song focuses on melodic shape - especially how tunes go 'up' and 'down' - and on rhythms with short and long notes.

The song: 'Signals!'

Song 1: 'Signals!' (Vocal). Sing along to the full-vocal version of the song 'Signals!'
Song 1: Backing track - 'Signals!'. Sing along to the backing track of the song 'Signals!'

Downloads

To download files right click on the links and then select either:

  • 'Save Target As' (PC)
  • 'Download Linked File' (Mac)

Documents

Audio

More from this series

2. Is that a fact?
audio

2. Is that a fact?

Exploring the historical truth behind some well-known Roman stories.

3. Boudicca!
audio

3. Boudicca!

Exploring Boudicca and the revolt of the British tribes against the Romans.

4. Oh, the strata of society
audio

4. Oh, the strata of society

Exploring the layers of Roman society...from Emperor down to slave.

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7 - Part 8 - Part 9 - Part 10

Back to all content from KS2 Music: Romans