Cardinal Newman Catholic School
Key Stage 3 Curriculum Planning
Year 8 Overview: - Music
Unit
No:
Unit of Work
Title
Reggae
To understand the stylistic musical conventions of Reggae music within Caribbean music.
Popular
styles
The use of the typical four chord pattern and
music in strophic form. Pupils will understand
how to create a popular song of their own.
Blues and
Jazz
The development of Blues and Jazz between
1890-1940 and how it influences the popular
styles we have today.
Music and
Space
Looking at how space and the planets have
been used as a stimulus for music writing, paying particular attention to Holst.
Music and
Media
The effectiveness of music in TV and radio advertising. Creating a product and a jingle for an
advert.
Band Skills
The Basic skills needed in band work to progress to year 9 music. Looking at the musical
futures method of playing an instrument in a
group.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Curriculum Content
Core Skills
Home Learning Content & Skills
Reggae chord patterns and use of
accidentals in written music
Features of a Bass riff
Offbeat and syncopated patterns
The difference between a cover and an
arrangement.
The importance of structure in a popular
song
Creating a catchy ‘hook’
How the 12 bar blues is used
Look at the use of improvisation and the
blues scale.
The use of different types of syncopation in
popular style.
Develop further understanding of the
musical elements and instrumentation
The importance of mood in music and the
psychological effects it has on our
brains.
The use of ‘jingles’ and their purpose in
advertising.
Adverts through the decades, what makes
them successful.
Reggae worksheet, pupils will pick one out of 9
options for each homework looking at the
history of reggae artists and culture.
Learning band skills on piano, guitar, bass
and drums
Creating a piece of music on their chosen
instrument using all the skills leaned in
KS3.
Music diary on composing, listening and
performance
Music diary on composing, listening and
performance
Blues lyric writing task and a research project on
a famous jazz artist.
Music diary on composing, listening and
performance
Music diary on composing, listening and
performance