1. Week and Date Subject Teaching Activities Homework
Week 1: 28/09/15 Introductory session. This first session is to get to know each other. I will introduce myself by playing a piece of music on the violin. I
will talk about how wonderfulmusic and the violin is, how much joy it has brought me, and how the violin can
bring the children happiness too. I will get the children to sing together while I accompany them on piano. I will
also set out the goals over the year and talk about what the children will have learnt by the end of the year. I
will explain that the children will not be touching a violin of their own until week and how the sessions before
half term will be theory which is essential to know before playing violin, as made fun as possible.
N/A
Week 2: 05/10/15 Theory – geography of
the violin famous
violinists and
composers.
I will have a large diagram drawn on the board of a violin and will explain the geography of the violin including
the names of the strings, the bridge,body, bow etc. I will introduce the children to Vivaldi and explain how he
was priest who worked in an orphanage for girls in Italy and how a lot of his music is written for and was
played by orphaned girls (more applicable if an all girls school or all female class).
Look over geography
of violin in hand out
for test next week!
Week 3: 12/10/15 Theory – starting to
explain rhythm +
Short test.
I will hold a short written test where the children will have to match the words to the violin part. Everyone will
get a lollipop and those who score the highest get a sticker.
I will explain note values by playing a game of “MagicFeet Follow the Beat”1. Each note value resembles a
family member:
 Daddy semibreve.
 Mummy minim.
 Big Brother crotchet.
 Wee Quaver twins.
These will be written on the board with the note value beside. The children will take it in turns to hold the beat
on the tambourine.I will shout for example “Mummy minim” and the children will take long strides on every
second beat.Then I when I think they have understood, I will march on every beat like “Big Brother crotchet”.
The children will have to work out that I was marching on the crotchet.
Look at hand out on
rhythm.
Week 4: 19/10/15 Theory - rhythm A game of “MagicFeet Follow the Beat” as before.
Now the children will sit. I will write a rhythm onto the board and the children will have to clap the rhythm
against a steady beat.
Look at hand out on
rhythm – test after half
term!
26/10/15 Half term N/A N/A
Week 5: 02/11/15 Theory – notation/pitch
and test.
Rhythm test. The note values will be on the board written as “Mummy minim” etc. The children will hear a
rhythm against a steady beat. They will write down that beat.Everyone gets a lollipop and best tests get a
sticker.
Look at hand out on
notation – test next
week.
1 http://www.letsplaykidsmusic.com/music-note-values/

2. Explain the stave. Our hand is like a stave: every finger starting from the bottom up represents “EGBDF” and
the spaces in between our fingers represent “FACE”. Explain that “B” is the middle line and how“Every Good
Boy Deserves Fudge”.
Week 6: 09/11/15 Theory – bridging
notation and rhythm +
test from last week.
Name that note written test. Lollipop and stickers.
A game of “What’s the Note Mr. Wolf”:
“How To Play
• Music note flash cards are usefulfor this game, but it’s also fine to improvise and just make the notes up on
the spot.
• The little song or chant is very short and should be sung or chanted each time the children ask the wolf what
note he is holding.
• The wolf stands with his back to the rest of the group, at one end of the room and takes a note card from a
bag.
• After identifying the note himself, he calls out in a big ‘wolfy’ voice whether it is a crotchet – 1/4 note or
minim – 1/2 note.
• The other children then take the appropriate number of steps, in this case 1 or 2, counting as they go.
• When they have counted the steps, the wolf spins around and looks to see if he can spot anyone moving. If
he does then that person has to go backto the starting line.
• The child who is the wolf will soon realise that they can control the other players’ progress – but that is all
part of playing the game!
• When the children are almost up behind the wolf, and the wolf thinks he is close enough to perhaps catch
someone, he shouts “it’s dinner time!” and he spins round and tries his best to catch someone.
• The children try to escape the wolf by dashing back to the ‘home’ side of the room.
If the wolf does catch someone then he or she will be the next wolf.”2
Revise both notation
and rhythm for test!
Week 7: 16/11/15 Test + Violins arrive
from ordering.
Written test. Children must name both the name of the note and the type of note. Sticker and lollipop.
Tuning of the violins. I will bring in a picture and a stuffed toy of one of my favourite animals: a swan. I will
explain how they are elegant,regal and how they have a lot of poise. I will explain the word poise and posture
and how it is essential when playing the violin. All children pretend they are swans and must stick their chest
out while ensuring they have a long neck while playing.
I will explain how to hold the bow. We will start to bow the D string.
Practice bowing the
“D” string.
2 http://www.letsplaykidsmusic.com/whats-the-note-mr-wolf-note-value-guessing-game/

3. Week 8: 23/11/15 ‘Rhythm Exercises on
D String’ from Eta
Cohen’s ViolinMethod
(Book 1)
Every child should have a copy of this practise book, which recaps on everything we have learnt thus far and
should be used as a refresher if needed.
I will simplify the idea of key signatures and sharps: “every F that you now read is now F# because of the key
signature.”
“I will play the string exercise so that children know what to expect and then we will begin as a class.
- I will ask the children to identify what the first note is
- Do they notice anything about the notes in this piece? (It is just on D and they are all crotchets)
- Together, clap the rhythm of the piece – SLOWLY whilst counting the beats of the bar (even in the rests).
- Clap through the piece again but counting in their heads – remembering to sniff on the rests.
- Having done so, sing the piece together: this is so they can practice singing before playing – a usefulskill.
- Explain the symbols for a down-bow and an up-bow.
- Finally, play through the piece with pupil,counting aloud to help them for the first fewtimes.”3
Practise string
exercise.
Week 9: 30/11/15 Recap on last week.
Introduction to scales
and arpeggios.
I will ask the children to play the same exercise as last week. Lollipop for those who practised the most.
I will explain scales and the relation to the scale and the key signature. Then play D major scale. I will explain
how it is the same shape on both the D and the A string.
I will explain arpeggios the most important notes of the scale.
Pay attention to bowing and slurs!
Practise scales,
arpeggios and string
exercise from last
week.
Week 10: 07/12/15 “Au Claire de la Lune” Explain the romance behind “by the light of the moon” in a comedic fashion. Explain how this is the first piece
of music that the children will learn before Christmas.
I will play the piece. We will clap the rhythm in a game of “Magic Feet Follow the Beat”.I will write the rhythm
on the board and play the piece. The children must move in accordance with the beat. Then I will play the
accompaniment on the piano. The children must remain headstrong and only move to the beat of the main
tune!Begin to teach on the violin.
Practise piece.
Week 11: 14/12/15 “Au Claire de la Lune”
+
“Silent Night”
Pay attention to tuning and bowing when I switch to the piano to accompany.
Introduction to “Silent Night”. Clap the rhythm (which should not take long as everybody should know this
tune).Start to play.
Practise both pieces.
Xmas break 21/12/15
Xmas break 28/12/15
Week 12: 04/01/16 Wrapping up “Au
Clairede laLune”
One more play of “Au Claire de la Lune” which should wrap that piece up. Practise Silent Night.
3 http://www.thetutorpages.com/tutor-article/classical-violin/five-lesson-plan-for-beginners/5820

4. +
“Silent Night”
“Silent Night” may be difficult for some children at this stage. I will ask the class to play. The better children will
form a group as the main tune.There will be two other groups of children with accompanying more simple
parts. This provides the children the early experience of playing together as an ensemble.I will switch who has
the main tune in later pieces.
Week 13: 11/01/16 Wrapping up “Silent
Night”
+
Theory – explaining key
signatures and scale of G
major.
Play “Silent Night” as an ensemble
Talk about scales and shapes of G Major.
All three scales learnt
so far.
Week 14: 18/01/16 Scales
+
“FrereJacques”
Play both scales (G and D).Everyone gets a lollipop.
Starting with Frere Jacques.Clap the rhythm as always. Then start to play. This will be the first time the
children will have been confronted with a different key signature from “D major” and semi-quavers at a
quickened pace. These are all points to explain and consider.
Practise “Frere
Jacques”.
Week 15: 25/01/16 “FrereJacques”
+
Listening session.
Start the session with Pachelbel’s Cannon.Talk how it is very famous and when they goto a wedding they will
probably hear it. Explain what a String Quartet is and the idea of Cannon. Explain how next week we will apply
this to “Frere Jacques”.
Continue with “Frere Jacques” introduce piano accompaniment focus on bowing and tuning.
Practise “Frere
Jacques”.
Week 16: 01/02/16 Cannon “Frere
Jacques”
+
Theory: key signature
and scale of A major.
Explain scale of A major and arpeggios starting on the A string. Accompany on pianoafter having played firstly
on violin.
Split the group up into three and start the Cannon of “Frere Jacques”.
Practise A major.
Week 17: 08/02/16 Cannon “Frere
Jacques”
+
Theory: scale of G major
(two octaves)
+
“Vicar of Bray”
introduction.
Wrapping up the “Frere Jacques” cannon.
Revising G major scale. Add the second octave.
Introduction to newmusic “Vicar of Bray”. It has complex rhythms and we will start by clapping the beat and
then playing.
“Vicar of Bray” and G
major two octaves.
Week 18: 15/02/16 “Vicar of Bray”
+
Listening Session:
Vivaldi
“Vicar of Bray” add pianoaccompaniment and focus on tuning and bowing.
Introduction of Vivaldi and the concerto. Look at Spring concerto.
“Vicar of Bray”

5. Week 19: 22/02/16 Wrapping up “Vicar of
Bray”
Continuing with “Vicar of Bray”. “Vicar of Bray”
Week 20: 29/02/16 Theory: difference
between major and
minor.
Scale D minor
Explain the different feeling between major and minor. Then explain notation difference.Start with D minor
and one flat. Learn scale shape and arpeggios.
Practice D minor scale
and arpeggios.
Week 21: 07/03/16 Intro: “Loch Lomond”
Theory: G minor
Test on D minor from last week. Then Explain G minor (same shape etc.).
Start “Loch Lomond” clapping rhythm etc.
“Loch Lomond” + G
minor scale.
Week 22: 14/03/16 “Loch Lomond”
+
G minor two octaves
Revise scales from last week. Add the second octave.
Add piano to “Loch Lomond” focus on tuning and rhythm.
“Loch Lomond” + G
minor scale two
octaves AND ALL
SCALES AND PIECES
OVER EASTER BREAK.
SCALES TEST
Easter break:
21/03/16
Easter break:
28/03/16
Week 23: 04/04/16 “Loch Lomond”
+
Scale Test.
Warm up of “Loch Lomond” together.
Individual scales and arpeggios test. ALL SCLAES AND ARPEGIOS.
“Loch Lomond”
Week 24: 11/04/16 Wrapping up “Loch
Lomond”
+
Listening
“Loch Lomond” with piano.
Listening to Vivaldi’s double violin concerto in D minor. Explain how the first minute of the piece is nothing but
arpeggios and scales. This will be connected up with next week.
Week 25: 18/04/16 Vivaldi Pastiche Split class into two. The children will learn my own piece of music, a simplified version of the extract of music
the children heard the previous week. In G minor.
All in preparation of presentation to parents in a few weeks.
Practice Vivaldi
pastiche.
Week 26: 25/04/16 Vivaldi Pastiche Focus on this and add piano. Practice Vivaldi
pastiche.
Week 27: 02/05/16 Vivaldi Pastiche Focus on this.
Tell children about the presentation to parents and how we will bring backold pieces.
Practice Vivaldi
pastiche + practise old
pieces.
Week 28: 09/05/16 Vivaldi Pastiche In preparation for parent presentation.

6. +
FrereJacques
Week 29: 16/05/16 FrereJacques
+ Silent night
In preparation for parent presentation. Frere Jacques
+ Silent night
Week 30: 23/05/16 Silent night + Loch
Lomond
In preparation for parent presentation. Silent night + Loch
Lomond
Week 31: 30/05/16 ALL PIECES In preparation for parent presentation. All pieces.
Week 32: 06/06/16 DRESS REHEARSAL In preparation for parent presentation. All pieces.
Week 33: 13/06/16 PARENT AND
TEACHER
PRESENTATION
All pieces learnt. Finish.