iPad
This curriculum was a new addition for A Common Approach 2022 and was updated and expanded in 2024. It focuses on the use of iPads in a classroom context, in recognition of their widespread availability in schools and free access to the GarageBand app for iPad users. Learning objectives and activities have been created for Programmes of Study 1, 2 and 3.
Programme of Study 1
A Listening and internalising
- A1 - Listen and respond to music in and out of lessons, enjoying their experiences and building on them
- A2 - Have some aural perception of the music to be played
- A3 - Recognise and discriminate between the musical elements of pulse, pitch, rhythm, tempo, dynamics and texture
- A4 - Recognise and convey in their playing simple melodic patterns, e.g. repetition of main tune
- A5 - Using appropriate notation, make links between sounds and symbols, e.g. shape of the melody, repetition
B Making and controlling musical sounds
- B1 - Sounds, instruments and sample selection
- B2 - Pulse, timing and tempo
- B3 - Digital audio workstation controls
- B4 - FX
- B5 - Structure and texture
- B6 - Recording
C Creating and developing musical ideas
- C1 - Improvise by exploring different sounds and creating repeated musical patterns or phrases
- C2 - Make use of vocal or instrumental skills when beginning to compose
D Playing music
- D1 - Work out by ear how to play short, easy phrases or patterns from well-known tunes
- D2 - Repeat with accuracy short, easy rhythmic and melodic patterns by singing or playing back from memory
- D3 - Play short, easy pieces from appropriate notation/ symbols
- D4 - Memorise with accuracy selected short, simple pieces from their repertoire
- D5 - Read and play at sight short, simple phrases at a regular pulse; begin to make links between sound and symbol
- D6 - Begin to interpret music with some expression and with a sense of its intended effect; talk about its mood and how it is sung or played and suggest improvements to convey the character of the music
E Playing music with others
- E1 - Play with the teacher and/or other learners, demonstrating some basic ensemble skills by listening, watching and keeping in time with the group
- E2 - Explore and discuss the character of the music and the expressive possibilities
F Performing and communicating
Programme of Study 2
A Listening and internalising
- A1 - Listen to music with concentration and understanding in and out of lessons, enjoying their experiences and building on them
- A2 - Have some aural perception of the music to be played, including some feeling of the expressive characteristics
- A3 - Recognise and discriminate between the musical elements, including aspects of articulation, phrasing and quality of tone
- A4 - Recognise and convey simple structures in their playing, e.g. repetition of rhythmic and melodic phrases
- A5 - Hear some elements of the music internally when using notation/symbol, e.g. tempo, pitch, rhythm, dynamics
B Making and controlling musical sounds
- B1 - Sounds, instruments and sample selection
- B2 - Pulse, timing and tempo
- B3 - Digital audio workstation controls
- B4 - FX
- B5 - Structure and texture
- B6 - Recording
C Creating and developing musical ideas
- C1 - Improvise rhythmic and melodic phrases freely or within given structures, individually or as part of a group
- C2 - Compose by developing musical ideas within simple given structures and applying vocal or instrumental skills
D Playing music
- D1 - Work out by ear how to play short, easy well-known tunes or accompaniments using a limited range of notes
- D2 - Repeat with accuracy short, easy rhythmic and melodic phrases by singing or playing back from memory
- D3 - Play a variety of short, easy pieces from notation/ symbols
- D4 - Play from memory, and to others, selected contrasting pieces from their repertoire
- D5 - Read and play at sight short, easy pieces at a regular pulse, beginning to hear some of the elements internally and attending to expressive details, including articulation and dynamics
- D6 - Interpret music by making choices in relation to tempo, dynamics, phrasing, articulation, colour, etc. in order to achieve an intended effect and convey the expressive characteristics; describe and evaluate the music using appropriate musical vocabulary
E Playing music with others
- E1 - Play with others, helping to maintain a separate part and showing awareness of their role within the ensemble
- E2 - Explore, discuss and convey the character of the music
F Performing and communicating
- F1 - Perform to others with a sense of occasion, e.g. in a concert, school assembly, examination, projecting the character of the music and acknowledging audience applause
- F2 - Evaluate the quality of their performance in relation to the character of the music, suggesting improvements and commenting on how the intentions were achieved
Programme of Study 3
A Listening and internalising
- A1 - Listen with attention to detail, responding to the expressive character of music, using their experiences to inform their playing
- A2 - Develop their aural perception of the music to be played, including some feeling and understanding of the expressive characteristics
- A3 - Recognise and discriminate between the musical elements, including more refined aspects of articulation, phrasing, quality/variety of tone
- A4 - Recognise and convey structural features and compositional devices in their playing, e.g. A A B A, sequence
- A5 - Hear simple music internally when using notation/symbols, including repetitions, contrasts, changes to melodic and rhythmic patterns
B Making and controlling musical sounds
- B1 - Sounds, instruments and sample selection
- B2 - Pulse, timing and tempo
- B3 - Digital audio workstation controls
- B4 - FX
- B5 - Structure and texture
- B6 - Recording and input
C Creating and developing musical ideas
- C1 - Improvise in a variety of genres and styles, sustaining and developing musical ideas and achieving different intended musical effects with the instrument
- C2 - Apply knowledge and understanding of the instrument in order to compose with an understanding of musical idiom
D Playing music
- D1 - Work out by ear how to play tunes or accompaniments in straightforward keys or modes
- D2 - Repeat moderately short musical phrases (melodic and rhythmic) from memory
- D3 - Play a variety of moderately easy pieces from different styles and traditions
- D4 - Memorise a variety of pieces from their repertoire of increasing length and complexity
- D5 - Read and play at sight a variety of short, straightforward pieces at a regular pulse, using an increasing rhythmic, melodic and tonal range
- D6 - Interpret music with an understanding of the musical style, structure and idiom; communicate the character of the music and the intentions of the composer, making improvements to their work in the light of their knowledge about the music
E Playing music with others
- E1 - Play with others, independently maintaining an individual part, demonstrating awareness of their role within the ensemble and leading the ensemble where appropriate
- E2 - Contribute to collective decisions, e.g. tempo, ensemble, tuning, balance, conveying the character of the music
F Performing and communicating
A Listening and internalising
Programme of Study 1 Learning Objectives
- A1 - Listen and respond to music in and out of lessons, enjoying their experiences and building on them
- A2 - Have some aural perception of the music to be played
- A3 - Recognise and discriminate between the musical elements of pulse, pitch, rhythm, tempo, dynamics and texture
- A4 - Recognise and convey in their playing simple melodic patterns, e.g. repetition of main tune
- A5 - Using appropriate notation, make links between sounds and symbols, e.g. shape of the melody, repetition
Programme of Study 2 Learning Objectives
- A1 - Listen to music with concentration and understanding in and out of lessons, enjoying their experiences and building on them
- A2 - Have some aural perception of the music to be played, including some feeling of the expressive characteristics
- A3 - Recognise and discriminate between the musical elements, including aspects of articulation, phrasing and quality of tone
- A4 - Recognise and convey simple structures in their playing, e.g. repetition of rhythmic and melodic phrases
- A5 - Hear some elements of the music internally when using notation/symbol, e.g. tempo, pitch, rhythm, dynamics
Programme of Study 3 Learning Objectives
- A1 - Listen with attention to detail, responding to the expressive character of music, using their experiences to inform their playing
- A2 - Develop their aural perception of the music to be played, including some feeling and understanding of the expressive characteristics
- A3 - Recognise and discriminate between the musical elements, including more refined aspects of articulation, phrasing, quality/variety of tone
- A4 - Recognise and convey structural features and compositional devices in their playing, e.g. A A B A, sequence
- A5 - Hear simple music internally when using notation/symbols, including repetitions, contrasts, changes to melodic and rhythmic patterns
B Making and controlling musical sounds
Programme of Study 1 Learning Objectives
- B1 - Sounds, instruments and sample selection
- B2 - Pulse, timing and tempo
- B3 - Digital audio workstation controls
- B4 - FX
- B5 - Structure and texture
- B6 - Recording
Programme of Study 2 Learning Objectives
- B1 - Sounds, instruments and sample selection
- B2 - Pulse, timing and tempo
- B3 - Digital audio workstation controls
- B4 - FX
- B5 - Structure and texture
- B6 - Recording
Programme of Study 3 Learning Objectives
C Creating and developing musical ideas
Programme of Study 1 Learning Objectives
- C1 - Improvise by exploring different sounds and creating repeated musical patterns or phrases
- C2 - Make use of vocal or instrumental skills when beginning to compose
Programme of Study 2 Learning Objectives
- C1 - Improvise rhythmic and melodic phrases freely or within given structures, individually or as part of a group
- C2 - Compose by developing musical ideas within simple given structures and applying vocal or instrumental skills
Programme of Study 3 Learning Objectives
D Playing music
Programme of Study 1 Learning Objectives
- D1 - Work out by ear how to play short, easy phrases or patterns from well-known tunes
- D2 - Repeat with accuracy short, easy rhythmic and melodic patterns by singing or playing back from memory
- D3 - Play short, easy pieces from appropriate notation/ symbols
- D4 - Memorise with accuracy selected short, simple pieces from their repertoire
- D5 - Read and play at sight short, simple phrases at a regular pulse; begin to make links between sound and symbol
- D6 - Begin to interpret music with some expression and with a sense of its intended effect; talk about its mood and how it is sung or played and suggest improvements to convey the character of the music
Programme of Study 2 Learning Objectives
- D1 - Work out by ear how to play short, easy well-known tunes or accompaniments using a limited range of notes
- D2 - Repeat with accuracy short, easy rhythmic and melodic phrases by singing or playing back from memory
- D3 - Play a variety of short, easy pieces from notation/ symbols
- D4 - Play from memory, and to others, selected contrasting pieces from their repertoire
- D5 - Read and play at sight short, easy pieces at a regular pulse, beginning to hear some of the elements internally and attending to expressive details, including articulation and dynamics
- D6 - Interpret music by making choices in relation to tempo, dynamics, phrasing, articulation, colour, etc. in order to achieve an intended effect and convey the expressive characteristics; describe and evaluate the music using appropriate musical vocabulary
Programme of Study 3 Learning Objectives
- D1 - Work out by ear how to play tunes or accompaniments in straightforward keys or modes
- D2 - Repeat moderately short musical phrases (melodic and rhythmic) from memory
- D3 - Play a variety of moderately easy pieces from different styles and traditions
- D4 - Memorise a variety of pieces from their repertoire of increasing length and complexity
- D5 - Read and play at sight a variety of short, straightforward pieces at a regular pulse, using an increasing rhythmic, melodic and tonal range
- D6 - Interpret music with an understanding of the musical style, structure and idiom; communicate the character of the music and the intentions of the composer, making improvements to their work in the light of their knowledge about the music
E Playing music with others
Programme of Study 1 Learning Objectives
- E1 - Play with the teacher and/or other learners, demonstrating some basic ensemble skills by listening, watching and keeping in time with the group
- E2 - Explore and discuss the character of the music and the expressive possibilities
Programme of Study 2 Learning Objectives
- E1 - Play with others, helping to maintain a separate part and showing awareness of their role within the ensemble
- E2 - Explore, discuss and convey the character of the music
Programme of Study 3 Learning Objectives
F Performing and communicating
Programme of Study 1 Learning Objectives
- F1 - Perform music to others, e.g. parents/carers, teachers, fellow learners and friends, demonstrating an awareness of the mood of the music
- F2 - Discuss the quality of their playing and, with guidance, learn from their performance
Programme of Study 2 Learning Objectives
- F1 - Perform to others with a sense of occasion, e.g. in a concert, school assembly, examination, projecting the character of the music and acknowledging audience applause
- F2 - Evaluate the quality of their performance in relation to the character of the music, suggesting improvements and commenting on how the intentions were achieved
Programme of Study 3 Learning Objectives
Our iPad curriculum is also available as a PDF which you can download below.
A Common Approach