Year 5 Dance: West End In Schools Workshop
Our Year 5 pupils had an incredible time bringing the story of Chinese New Year to life this week! We were thrilled to welcome West End in Schools for an energetic dance workshop. The children didn't just learn the choreography; they fully embraced their roles, leaping and grooving as they transformed into the different animals from the traditional tale. From mastering tricky dance steps to exploring cultural history through movement, the energy in the hall was electric! A huge thank you to West End in Schools for such an inspiring and fun-filled session.
Year 6: Lunar New Year Workshop
This week year 6 celebrated the Lunar New Year with a dance workshop. The class really enjoyed being active and getting to work collaboratively together in a different way.
Year 2: Lunar New Year dance workshop
Dancing Through the Great Race! Our hall was alive with energy as our pupils took part in a vibrant Lunar New Year Dance Workshop! To celebrate the Year of the Horse, the children didn't just learn about the Legend of the Great Race... They lived it! Through movement and choreography, they told the story of how the twelve animals of the Zodiac crossed the finish line.
Year 3 - P.E - Dance Workshop
Our Year 3 students had an incredible time today as they swapped their desks for the spotlight! We were thrilled to welcome West End in Schools for a high-energy, creative workshop all about China.
Year 4 - The Lunar New Year
Year 4 really enjoyed their dance workshop this week. We got to explore the Lunar New Year in a creative way and learn moves to tell a story through dance. Year 4 were very good at remembering the moves for each different animal and were even better when given the choice to move in the way of their chosen animal. The final performance was fantastic to watch - well done, Year 4!
Year 1 Lunar New Year Workshop
Celebrating the Lunar New Year with Year 1! Today, our Year 1 hall was filled with energy and excitement as we hosted an incredible Lunar Workshop with West End in Schools! The children took part in an expressive dance session to bring the story of The Great Race to life. We practiced following instructions to mimic the movements of the different Zodiac animals—from the clever Rat to the powerful Dragon! It was a brilliant, interactive way to learn about the traditions of the Lunar New Year through movement and music. Our little performers showed fantastic focus and creativity. Well done, Year 1! #DarwenStJames #Year1 #LunarNewYear #TheGreatRace #WestEndInSchools #ExpressiveDance #CulturalLearning #NurturingAmbition
Reception- Music- Teddy Bears Picnic
The Reception children hosted a Teddy Bears’ Picnic during music class this week. The children showcased their hard work by performing the classic song with enthusiastic hand gestures and impressive rhythmic timing. The atmosphere was heartwarming as each child sat proudly on their blanket alongside a "special guest" brought from home—ranging from well-loved, tattered bears to vibrant plush dinosaurs. To wrap up the lesson, the music transitioned into a peaceful background melody while the children shared a snack with their stuffed companions, perfectly blending musical education with a sweet moment of social bonding.
Nursery - Music - Computing - Creating Music
This week, the children enjoyed making their own music using the 2Explore tool on Purple Mash. We focused on using the computer to find different noises and seeing how we could put them together to make a fun tune. The children thoroughly enjoyed listening to the wide variety of sounds available within the software. They practiced their navigational skills to select and trigger different instrumental notes and effects, discovering how the software combined their chosen sounds into a continuous song. This process allowed them to experiment with different noises and hear how they sounded together in a rhythmic way. There was a wonderful sense of achievement as the children listened back to their completed "songs." Many were so proud of their digital creations that they even began dancing to the beats they had produced.
Reception- Music- Putting On A Performance
Throughout the term, our Reception children have embarked on a rhythmic journey, steadily building a foundational understanding of musical theory through play and exploration. By experimenting with a variety of percussion instruments and vocal exercises, they have mastered the ability to distinguish between high and low tones, maintain a steady consistent beat, and speed. This musical progression culminated in a vibrant "Showcase Day," where the children took the lead in their learning. Each child selected a song that resonated with them, demonstrating remarkable independence and self-expression. Performing in front of their peers, the children displayed a surge in confidence, accurately applying their knowledge of tempo and rhythm to their chosen pieces. It was a proud moment of shared celebration, highlighting not just their new technical skills, but their bravery in taking center stage.
Nursery - Music - What Instrument Did I play?
This week, the children participated in a high-focus auditory discrimination activity designed to sharpen their listening skills and musical awareness. The children were tasked with identifying instruments based on sound alone. While hidden behind a screen, one instrument was played and the children had to listen very carefully. From a varied group of instruments laid out before them, they then had to select which one they believed was being played. Once they made their choice, the children were encouraged to mimic the sound they heard by playing the instrument themselves. This was a crucial step, as it allowed for instant confirmation of their choice or a self-corrected change of mind if the sounds did not match. This activity successfully promoted critical thinking, active listening, and early performance skills as the children explored the unique sounds each instrument could produce.
Year 1 - Music - Representing The Seascape
Year 1 have been busy by the sea in Music today ???????? In Kapow Lesson 3, we explored seaside soundscapes, using instruments, our bodies and our voices to match different seascape pictures. From crashing waves to gentle seagulls, the children listened carefully, experimented bravely and worked together to bring the scenes to life. So much creativity, teamwork and musical thinking on show. A lovely lesson full of sound, imagination and smiles.
Reception- Music-Keep the beat
Our Reception children had a wonderful time exploring the world of rhythm and tempo during their music lesson this week. With bright eyes and listening ears, they practiced the fundamental skill of keeping a steady beat to a variety of catchy tunes and familiar nursery rhymes. Using a mix of clapping, marching, and simple percussion instruments, the children learned to feel the underlying pulse of the music. They experimented with changing their pace to different music. It was a joy to see their coordination and confidence grow as they successfully matched their movements to the rhythm, laying a fantastic foundation for their future musical journey.
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