Introduction to the Keyboard Scheme of Work for KS3

Written by an experienced piano teacher, this resource provides a thorough introduction to the keyboard for Year 7 students.

Six one-hour lessons with student worksheets, and scores for performance, including a starter, main and plenary task – everything you need to pick up and teach, even if you have limited experience of the piano yourself.

The scheme covered a range of different skills with a good emphasis on correct technique

S Humphries, Head of Music & Peer Reviewer
Inspire your students!
  • Stimulating theory worksheets for every lesson
  • Varied activities to support different learnings styles
  • Scores based on recognisable pieces to keep students engaged
  • Lessons differentiated for a range of abilities – allows every pupil to achieve their potential
    • Pathway 1 (Beginners): Builds knowledge gradually, through approachable, step-by-step exercises
    • Pathway 2 (Lapsed Pianist): Students perform more complex arrangements and rhythms
    • Pathway 3 (Experienced): Includes more challenging versions of the songs and independent activities
Effortless delivery!
  • Comprehensive lesson plans – ready to use or adapt to your class’s needs
  • Clear schemes of work closely linked to the KS3 curriculum:
    • Students learn to read and write stave notation
    • Students are taught to play and perform on an instrument
  • All answers provided – perfect for AfL and speedy peer-assessment

What do teachers say about this resource? (11102)

A very good resource. The scheme covered a range of different skills with a good emphasis on correct technique. The music chosen for study is relevant and enjoyable for the students to play.

The overall plan and individual lessons are structured well, and the learning journey is well considered and shows considerable thought.

I felt that this resource would enable a teacher to teach a well-sequenced set of lessons straight out of the box. I liked the direct, plain language as this ensured the main intentions were. The Teacher’s introduction (p1) provided good detail and outlined the intentions well. The information relating to differentiation was very useful and the series of prompts provided for each lesson give some focus for the students to work independently.

This resource does enhance learning and provides high quality opportunities for developing musical understanding and piano playing. The in-built differentiation is useful and provides an initial idea as to how the work may be adapted to higher ability students. This means that the work can be accessed by the majority of students in the class.

The educational value of this resource is clear and provides the students with a clear understanding of technique and access to performance.

I would definitely like to use this resource for my teaching.

I have enjoyed reading through the resource and I feel that this could make a positive contribution to the curriculum at KS3

S Humphries, Head of Music & Peer Reviewer

Teaches pupils all the basics of keyboard playing and reading music and makes a great scheme of work for a Year 7 class... There are plenty of extension materials for pupils who are more advanced... Each lesson is very clearly laid out, and is clearly scaffolded. The worksheets are very clear and the tasks help back up with the teacher has been teaching... It give pupils a basic Music theory background which they will need to perform other pieces with less teacher support, allowing pupils to write down their own compositions and understand pieces they hear. Without a SoW like this pupils will struggle to access higher level music lessons... This is a perfect starter unit for Year 7.

S Barber, Head of Music & Peer Reviewer

Good amount of detail... A good resource and appropriate to the year it is aimed at... Worksheets are laid out in an easy-to-read way with good use of pictures... Lesson plans are detailed with clear suggested timings... Good variety of pop songs chosen... This resource will help students to gain a basic understanding of music theory and how to approach playing the keyboard. It also gives ways for more advance players to be able progress with practice and performance skills. All of this will lead in to GCSE and BTEC to varying degrees but it is vital to have sound knowledge on these basics to be able to build from at a higher level... Students will gain a huge understanding of reading music notation and how to put that onto the keyboard. The differentiation suggested will allow all students to make progress and I like the focus on performance skills to enhance the ability to perform and not just 'play' a piece of music.

K Vennall, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

Really well presented. Very professionally done.

I like the challenges for more-able pupils.

I like the video links.

R Jenkins, Head of Music & Peer Reviewer