Music at key stages 1 and 2 (Year 5/6)

Unit 16: Cyclic patterns - Exploring rhythm and pulse

About this unit

This unit develops pupils' ability to perform rhythmic patterns confidently and with a strong sense of pulse.

In this unit, pupils learn basic rhythmic devices used in many drumming traditions. They play a variety of sounds on percussion instruments and learn how to use timbre and duration to add variety to their rhythmic ideas. They invent and improvise simple rhythmic patterns.

Sections in this unit

This unit is divided into sections. Each section contains a sequence of activities with related objectives and outcomes. You can view this unit by moving through the sections or print/download the whole unit.


	1. Introduction: how does some music use cyclic patterns?
	2. Exploration: how can different sounds be used rhythmically? (1)
	3. Exploration: how can different sounds be used rhythmically? (2)
	4. Exploration: how can different sounds be used rhythmically? (3)
	5. Bringing it all together: can we make our own cyclic pattern? (1)
	6. Bringing it all together: can we make our own cyclic pattern? (2)