Y4. Lesson 4. Present la pentatonic scale
Prior learning: None
Duration: 30 minutes
Materials: Woodblocks or claves
Keywords: Beat, rhythm, singing, chanting, partners, rhymes, circle games.
Difficulty: 
Prepare
Present
la pentatonic scale
Practise
The la pentatonic Scale is a five-note scale that starts on the low "la" note and includes the following: la, do re mi so. It is called "pentatonic" because it has five different pitches with a skip between low la and do as well as mi-so and because the scale ends on low la.
Melodic development
Students are presented with the la pentatonic scale and find it in a song.
- The previous lesson introduced this song to practice syn-co-pa and prepare for the la pentatonic scale.
- Lead the class in singing the song.
- Now sing the intervals of the minor pentatonic scale (l-d, d-r, r-m, m-s, s-l) and students echo-sing that stating the interval is either a step or a skip.
- Present that this pentatonic scale is called the la pentatonic scale because it begins on la.
- This is a scale of five pitches: low la, do re mi so, with a skip between low la, and do and a skip between mi and so.
- Sing the song in solfa, line by line and students will echo-sing. If your teaching method employs hand signs, use them to assist.
Rhythmic development
Students discover the three types of rhythm syllables in Tideo.
- Lead the class in singing Tideo and clapping the rhythm.
- Ask which rhythm syllables are in the first line [ta & ti-ti].
- Ask which rhythm syllables are in the second line [ta, ti-ti and tika-tika].
- Ask which rhythm syllables are in the third line [ta, ti-ti and tika-tika].
- Ask a volunteer to say the song's syllables as the class sings.
- Repeat with other students.
Game
Students sing and dance to a song that contains ta, ti-ti, and tika-tika rhythm syllables.
- Students form a double circle.
- On the beat, they walk clockwise in the first phrase.
- In the second phrase, they walk anticlockwise on the beat.
- In the last phrase, they tap their legs on the first beat, clap their hands on the second beat, clap their partner's hands on the third beat, and clap their own hands on the fourth beat.
- Then they run to the rhythm with their arms kinked for two bars and repeat with their left arms linked!
Listening
Students listen to the la pentatonic scale and sing it ascending and descending.
- Play the first track on the player and ask students if they recognise the scale [la pentatonic].
- Ask students to sing along as you play it again (or use a suitable classroom tuned percussion instrument)
- Play the second and third tracks and repeat the procedure.
- This exercise develops the student's aural recognition of the la pentatonic scale.
Visual learning
Students discover the intervals in the la pentatonic scale.
- The la pentatonic scale is a five-note scale that starts on low la and includes the following: la, do re mi so.
- It is called "pentatonic" because it has five different pitches, a skip between low la and do and mi-so, and a scale that ends on low la.
- Project the Solfa Street graphic and ask a volunteer to point out the first interval from low la to do. Ask if it is a step or a skip.
- Repeat with other students on the intervals from do-re and re-mi and mi-so.
Instruments
Students
Part work
Students perform a melodic ostinato.
- Sing the song with the class.
- Teach the melodic ostinato of "Jim along Jo".
- Divide the class into two groups. One will sing the song, and the other the ostinato.
- Conduct the students and reverse the two groups when both are secure.
Assess
Suggested lessons
Y1. Beat II
Y1. Beat III
Y1. Beat IV