Friday Jam Time

Level: Years 0–6

NZ Curriculum Learning Area: The Arts – Music
NZC Level: Curriculum Level 1 (adapted for mixed-level, inclusive primary classroom)
Strand: Understanding Music in Context | Developing Practical Knowledge | Communicating and Interpreting

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🌟 WALT (We Are Learning To):

• Explore and play basic rhythms and chords on the ukulele
• Participate in group music-making with a sense of timing and enjoyment
• Express ourselves through sound and movement
• Respect others' contributions and celebrate teamwork

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📈 Success Criteria:

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Strum a steady beat using C and Am chords
• Join in a group performance with peers using ukulele or body percussion
• Use respectful listening and responding during music-making
• Feel confident to participate, try new things and have fun!

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⏰ Duration: 40 minutes

Class Size: 16 students
Session Focus: Ukulele-based exploration designed for “Friday Fun Day”
Environment: Whānau-style, encouraging student voice, manaakitanga, inclusion and movement

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🎯 Lesson Overview:

Time	Activity	Purpose
5 min	Welcome Circle – Whakapapa Beat	Grounding, connect to identity & calm energy
8 min	Warm-Up: Strumming & Singing Movement Game	Develop rhythm, coordination, and connection
12 min	Ukulele Fun: C & A minor Chord Jams	Hands-on learning with simplified chords
10 min	Group Jam Session	Cooperative teamwork activity
5 min	Whakaaro Whakamutunga (Reflection Circle)	Promote self-expression and self-evaluation

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🎵 Lesson Breakdown

1. Whakapapa Beat Circle (5 mins)

Invite tamariki into a circle on the mat. Use soft percussive tapping (e.g., knees, shoulders, claps) in rhythm.

🗣 Prompt:
"Let’s think about who we are, and tap our name to the beat. When you feel ready, say your name and one thing you love about where you're from."

Purpose:
Centers the child, celebrates identity, gently activates brain-body connection for focus.

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2. Warm-Up Game: “Strum and Freeze” (8 mins)

Tools: Ukulele for each child (or pair if limited), or body percussion for those without instruments

🎵 Instructions:

• Demonstrate a steady down-stroke strum on C chord.
• Play music with a steady beat (e.g., simple waiata or pop instrumental).
• Students strum to the beat and freeze every time the music stops.
• Layer in body movements for added engagement (e.g., sway, jump, pose).

💡 Tip: Use a visual cue (a coloured paddle or soft bell) as a go-stop signal for dyslexic or easily distracted learners.

Purpose:
Builds gross motor rhythm, listening skills, self-regulation, and sets a playful tone.

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3. Ukulele Skill-Building: Chord Jams (12 mins)

🎸 Chords:

• C chord (one-finger chord – easiest for beginners)
• Am chord (two fingers – gentle challenge for extension)

👋 Method:

• Show the C chord slowly on a large poster or model it with your ukulele oversized if possible.
• Say: “This is a C chord, the happiest-sounding chord”
• Invite students to mirror with their own ukulele.
• Now introduce Am (optional). Connect the mood: “This is a softer, thoughtful chord.”

🎶 Strum exercise counting 1-2-3-4 per chord (“Strum down, strum down…”).

• Rotate between C and Am every 4 counts for group playing.
• Include body percussion students using thigh taps or claps on same beat pattern.

📌 Differentiation:

• Offer colour-coded stickers on fretboards
• Use visuals with chord shapes for dyslexic learners
• Offer foam picks for sensory needs
• For students who find holding the ukulele difficult, allow them to partner with a peer or work on body percussion

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4. Jam Circle: Friday Favourites (10 mins)

Te Reo Waiata Suggestion: "Tutira Mai" (C + Am version)
Pop Song Option: "You Are My Sunshine" (simplified C chord throughout)

🔄 Activity:

• Start together and take turns letting small groups lead.
• Create fun combinations: half singing, half percussion, call-and-response

🌈 Extension (for Years 4–6):

• Encourage advanced learners to create a basic chord progression (C-Am-C-Am)
• Invite songwriting ideas: “Write a line about your week, your whānau, or your favourite kai!”

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5. Whakaaro Whakamutunga (Reflection & Cool Down) (5 mins)

Huddle in a circle. Use a soft pūrerehua (wind instrument) or ocean drum to bring the energy down.

🗣 Discussion Prompts:

• "What made you feel proud today?"
• "Who did you notice showing kindness or manaakitanga during our jam?"
• "What sound felt like ‘you’ today?"

🎉 End with a quiet “strum hug”: hold an imaginary ukulele, strum quietly together as a goodbye.

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🧡 Trauma-Informed & Culturally Responsive Strategies

• Predictability & Routine: Same circle start and finish rituals weekly
• Connection to Whakapapa: Begin with self and whānau-oriented chat
• Regulation Support: Rhythm-based movement, "freeze" play, calming instruments
• Mana-Enhancing Praise: Highlight individual contributions throughout session
• Te Reo Māori Inclusion: Use kupu like whakarongo (listen), pakipaki (clap), tākaro (play)
• Safe Choices: Students can opt into instruments or movement as suits their comfort and energy

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🔁 Differentiation Strategies

Learner Profile	Strategy
Dyslexic learners	Visual chord charts with colour-coded dots, verbal repetition kept short
Behaviour needs	Keep instruments aside until warm-up is complete; offer helper roles
Sensory-sensitive	Allow foam picks, headphones during loud sections, movement breaks
Non-verbal & shy tamariki	Role as timekeeper or leader with hand signals
Advanced students (Y5–6)	Songwriting challenge, lead the next warm-up, chord progression improvisation

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🌟 Extension: Music + Literacy Integration

Dyslexia-Friendly Literacy Task:

• Use large print lyric sheets (double spacing, sans serif font e.g., OpenDyslexic, Arial)
• Students illustrate lyrics to create a class “Ukulele Songbook”
• Invite tamariki to draw feelings or events that connect to the sounds

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🎻 Reflection for Next Friday:

• Which chords worked best for inclusion and fun?
• Did any student show unexpected leadership or confidence?
• Was the balance right between structure and freedom?
• Try bringing in taonga pūoro (traditional Māori instruments) next session

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Ka mutu! Fun, identity-based, culturally rich Fridays just got even better 🎶
Kia kaha, kaiako – let the aroha flow through the strings.