Creating and Performing in Creative Arts and Sports

Descant Recorder - Sight Reading for Recorder

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Identify notes on the treble staff including time signature, key signature and highest and lowest notes before playing
- Apply sight reading skills when preparing to play a melody on the recorder
- Appreciate how sight reading skills improve readiness and accuracy in musical performance

In groups, learners are guided to:
- Read the excerpt on sight reading the descant recorder and identify the features to check: notes, time signature, key signature and dynamics
- Identify given notes on the treble staff from two examples and name each note on sol-fa and letter names
- Write simple melodies in C major on the treble staff in exercise books and identify all features before attempting to play

What should you check on a piece of sheet music before you begin playing on the descant recorder?

- Champion Creative Arts and Sports Grade 7 pg. 84
- Descant recorders, printed music notation
- Exercise books, pencils

- Written assignment - Observation - Oral questions

Creating and Performing in Creative Arts and Sports

Descant Recorder - Playing Melodies in C Major
Descant Recorder - Performing with Dynamics and Tempo
Descant Recorder - Solo and Group Recorder Performance

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Play simple pieces in C major and 2/4 time on the descant recorder with clear tone and steady rhythm
- Gradually increase playing speed from slow to comfortable tempo while maintaining note clarity
- Show confidence and steady improvement in recorder performance

In groups, learners are guided to:
- Warm up by playing the C major scale ascending and descending
- Play each measure of three short pieces in C major slowly then combine measures; focus on clear tone and playing in time
- Gradually increase speed as comfort improves; in groups, play all three pieces and give each other feedback on clarity and rhythm

How does practising a piece slowly before increasing speed improve the quality of recorder performance?

- Champion Creative Arts and Sports Grade 7 pg. 85
- Descant recorders, printed music notation
- Exercise books
- Champion Creative Arts and Sports Grade 7 pg. 86
- Descant recorders, printed music with performance directions
- Champion Creative Arts and Sports Grade 7 pg. 87
- Descant recorders
- Improvement chart, portfolio folder

- Practical performance - Observation - Peer feedback

Creating and Performing in Creative Arts and Sports

Descant Recorder - Review of Fingering, Sight Reading and Performance
Kenyan Folk Songs - Defining Folk Songs
Kenyan Folk Songs - Classifying Folk Songs
Kenyan Folk Songs - Folk Song Performance Techniques

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Summarise all recorder topics covered: parts, hand position, C major scale, sight reading, dynamics and tempo
- Demonstrate competence in playing the C major scale and a short piece with performance directions
- Reflect on personal grojwth and improvement as a recorder player

In groups, learners are guided to:
- Review recorder parts, hand positioning, C major finger positions, sight reading steps and performance directions
- Complete a written assessment on recorder knowledge and perform the C major scale and a short piece for the teacher
- Write a reflection on the improvement chart noting progress made and areas still to develop

What knowledge and performance skills have you developed through learning the descant recorder?

- Champion Creative Arts and Sports Grade 7 pg. 88
- Descant recorders, exercise books
- Assessment worksheets, improvement chart
- Champion Creative Arts and Sports Grade 7 pg. 117
- Digital devices for folk song recordings
- Exercise books
- Champion Creative Arts and Sports Grade 7 pg. 118
- Digital/print resources on Kenyan folk songs
- Champion Creative Arts and Sports Grade 7 pg. 120

- Written test - Practical performance - Observation

Creating and Performing in Creative Arts and Sports

Kenyan Folk Songs - Rehearsing a Folk Song
Kenyan Folk Songs - Folk Song Performance
Kenyan Folk Songs - Digital Research on Folk Songs
Kenyan Folk Songs - Review and Reflection
Kenyan Folk Songs - Review and Reflection

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Take on roles of lead singer, chorus and instrumentalist in a folk song rehearsal
- Rehearse a Kenyan folk song with correct tune, tone, mood and cultural body movements
- Show teamwork, cultural pride and commitment during the rehearsal process

In groups, learners are guided to:
- In groups, choose a Kenyan folk song and research its cultural background, occasion and significance using digital or print resources
- Listen to recordings of the chosen song and practise taking on roles: lead singer starts and guides, chorus responds
- Rehearse the song with correct mood and gestures; use digital devices to check pronunciation and cultural accuracy

How does understanding the cultural background of a folk song improve the quality of the performance?

- Champion Creative Arts and Sports Grade 7 pg. 121
- Digital devices for folk song recordings
- Traditional instruments (optional), exercise books
- Improvised cultural costumes and props
- Peer evaluation form, exercise books
- Champion Creative Arts and Sports Grade 7 pg. 117
- Digital devices / Internet access
- Exercise books
- Champion Creative Arts and Sports Grade 7 pg. 119
- Assessment worksheets

- Observation - Oral performance - Peer feedback