Week 14 - Year Two
This week we are going to be looking at an RE lesson on Monday and a Computing lesson on Wednesday.
RE – To recognise that sacred texts contain stories which are special to many people and should be treated with respect.
Computing – To research music from places around the world.
Monday – RE To recognise that sacred texts contain stories which are special to many people and should be treated with respect.
We are going to look at the holy books of a few different religions:
Christianity – The Bible
The Jewish religion – The Torah
Islam – The Q’ran
Sikhism – The Guru Granth Sahib
Christianity – The Bible
The Bible is the sacred / holy book which forms the basis of Christianity.
The Bible is divided into two parts: - The Old Testament is about God and how God wants people to live their lives. - The New Testament is about Jesus and his followers who tried to tell people about God and
how God wanted people to live.
There are many stories in the Bible which has a lot of themes from which we could learn how to live good lives, e.g. obedience, forgiveness, jealousy, and helping others.
Taking Care of and showing respect for your Bible1.Have a Bible cover to protect your Bible when you are not using it.2.Use a bookmark to mark off where you stopped reading. 3.Avoid studying / reading your Bible while eating food or drinking. 4.Keep your Bible in a safe place.
The Jewish religion – The Torah
The Torah, the Jewish holy text, is a scroll, kept in a synagogue.Jewish people do not touch The Torah with their fingers. They always use a Yad to touch it. A Yad is often made of silver and is used to point out the words on the Sefer Torah as they are read out. This is a symbol of their respect for The Torah.
They believe that The Torah is God’s way of communicating with them and that it is His most precious gift to them.
The Torah contains stories and rules for living and the Jewish people use this as a guide for how they should live their lives.
Taking care of and showing respect for The Torah1. The Torah is kept behind the doors of a holy ark right at the front in the synagogue.2. When the Torah is removed from the ark, everyone has to stand and prayers are said silently as it passes each person.3. The Torah must never touch the ground. 4. When not in use, The Torah remains wrapped in it own fine covering called a ‘gelilah’ and is often topped with one or two ornate crowns and a shield. 5. When the Torah is being read, either silently or aloud, it must only be touched with a Yad (pointer) to follow the lines from right to left.
Islam – The Qur’an
The Qur’an is a guide to help Muslims live their lives. Some of their beliefs are: to worship none but Allah; treat with kindness your parents, others, orphans and those in need; speak fairly to people; be steadfast in prayer; and practice regular charity.
They believe that The Qur’an is the word of God and that it guides Muslims in their daily lives.
Taking care of and showing respect for The Qur’an1. The Qur’an has a stand and should never be put on the floor. 2. It is wrapped in a silk cloth so that it doesn’t get dirty. 3. Before handling The Qur’an, you must wash your hands. 4. When it is put away, it is kept on a high shelf above all other books. 5. Muslims try to do what the Qur’an says and they often learn the whole Qur’an off by heart.
Sikhism – The Guru Granth Sahib
Sikhs believe the word of God is contained in the Guru Granth Sahib therefore it is treated with respect. In the gurdwara , the Guru Granth Sahib is placed on a raised throne and Sikhs sit below it to symbolise their respect and obedience.
The key messages of the Guru Granth Sahib are:•Everyone in the world is equal.•Sikhs should live and speak truthfully.•Sikhs must avoid the five vices, which are anger, greed, lust, pride and attachment to material possessions.•Sikhs should practise the virtues, which are truth and truthful living, compassion and patience, love, humility and self-control, contentment, and wisdom and courage.
Taking care of and showing respect for the Guru Granth Sahib1. Sikhs wear head coverings in the Gurdwara in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. 2. They remove their shoes and wash their hands before entering the gurdwara.3. The Guru Granth Sahib is placed on a raised platform (takht) which is under a manji.4. The people sit on the floor to ensure that their heads are not higher than The Guru Granth Sahib.5. Offerings are made to the Guru Granth Sahib when Sikhs enter the gurdwara. 6. Sikhs never turn their backs on the Guru Granth Sahib. 7. When it is being read a special fan (made from yak hair) is waved above it. 8. It is placed in a separate room at night and ‘put to bed’.
Whenever you are writing remember to refer back to this checklist.Always challenge yourself to use as many of the year 2 skills as you can.
Main Activity.
Why should sacred / holy books be treated with respect?
Can you remember any stories you have learnt about from any of these sacred books? What did you learn from those stories?
What is the same and different about the sacred books we have learned about?
Write what you have learnt about the sacred books we looked at today and explain how youknow each group of people treat their holy book with respect. Use the questions above to help you with your writing.
Remember to use your Year 2 skills – you can check these on the previous page.
Challenge: Can you think about a story from each of these holy books and think about what you learnt from each one? Does it show you what the holy books are teaching us?
Wednesday – Computing
To research music from places around the world.
On the next few pages you will have some information about music from a few places around the world.
You may use this information but also try to challenge yourself to do some research of your own, maybe about a different place of your choice or to find out extra information that may have been missed here.
Music from Africa
African music is used for social and ceremonial purposes. Religious songs are performed at rituals. Work songs accompany such activities as hoeing and threshing. Traditional music has its roots in mythology, legends, and folktales. It is sometimes linked to gods, ancestors, or heroes.
People also make music for fun or to relax. Some kinds of music are made especially for dancing. One example is the boeremusiek (“Boer music”) of South Africa. This type of folk music was created by the Voortrekkers who were descendants of Dutch settlers in the area. Their music used the concertina, which is similar to the accordion. Dancing to different kinds of popular music has become a favourite form of recreation in African cities and towns.
In the 1960s, African musicians began to use instruments such as electric guitars, saxophones, and drum kits. The best-known popular music styles include West African highlife and juju, Congolese dance music, and East African tarabu. Southern African styles include chimurenga and jit.
Drums play an important role in every aspect of African life, including the physical, emotional and spiritual. African hand drums are played to communicate, celebrate, mourn and inspire. They're played in times of peace and war, planting and harvesting, birth and death.
African Musical InstrumentsA wide variety of musical instruments are used in Africa. They include percussion instruments, stringed instruments, and wind instruments.
Percussion instruments are sounded by striking, shaking, scraping, plucking, or rubbing. They include drums (such as the djembe), rattles, bells, clappers, cymbals, and xylophones. The marimba is a type of xylophone that originated in Africa. The lamellaphone is a percussion instrument that is unique to Africa. It consists of strips of metal or bamboo that are mounted on a board, box, or gourd. The musician holds the instrument in his or her hand or lap and plucks the strips with the fingers or thumbs.
Stringed instruments produce sound through the vibration of stretched strings. The most basic form is the musical bow. The musical bow consists of a string made of gut, skin, or rope stretched between the two ends of a flexible stick. Most bows are played by plucking or striking the string with the fingers.Other stringed instruments include different types of lutes, harps, and lyres. The oldest type of lute is the pluriarc of central and south-western Africa. The khalam is similar to a banjo. Harps are played in a number of countries stretching from Uganda to Mauritania. Two examples are the ennanga of Uganda and the ngombi of Gabon. The kora of The Gambia is a harp lute with 21 strings. Lyres are found mostly in Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Wind instruments use air to produce sound. In Africa, they are made mainly of animal horns and tusks, shells, wood, reeds, and bamboo. The flute, whistle, trumpet, and clarinet are popular wind instruments.
Different Types of music from Africa
AfrobeatIt is a fusion of traditional Nigerian music and jazz. Today, it is often mixed with hip hop or makossa and well known even outside Africa.
Benga musicThe electric bass guitar imitates the melodies of the traditional Kenyan eight-string lyre called Nyatiti.
Chimurenga musicThe melodies played by modern instruments are based on the traditional Mbira music of the Shona people from Zimbabwe.
Coupé-DecaléPop music from the Ivory Coast with danceable percussion and deep bass. This style is said to help Ivorians through tough times.
Desert BluesThe people living in the Sahara desert have been making blues music long before it got famous in the West.
HiplifeIt is the fusion of highlife and hip hop in Ghana.
IsicathamiyaHarmonious and gentle a cappella sung by all male choirs from the South African Zulu.
KwaitoSouth Africa's youth loves this new mix of house music and African sounds.
Mbalax - SenegalMbalax is a fusion of traditional praise songs and sabar rhythms with modern Western elements.
Semba - Angola.This is the origin of the increasingly popular Kizomba music and dance style.
The music of Australia has a large history made of many different styles.Indigenous Australian music produced the iconic didgeridoo.There are fusions of indigenous and Western styles as well. Australian folk music and bush ballads such as "Waltzing Matilda" as well as classical forms were also introduced. Musical styles such as rock and roll, country, rap and reggae have all featured a variety of Indigenous Australian performers.
A particular clan in Aboriginal culture may share songs. Many aboriginal songs are about clan or family history.
Dreamtime songs have oral folklore and storytelling in a series of song cycles. These songs often describe how the features of the land were made and named during the Dreamtime. By singing the songs in the right order, indigenous Australians could travel vast distances.
Music from Australia
Australian Musical Instruments
The Australian Aboriginal people developed three musical instruments - the didjeridu, the bullroarer, and the gum-leaf. Most well known is the didjeridu, a simple wooden tube blown with the lips like a trumpet.
A didgeridoo is a type of musical instrument. It is one of the oldest instruments. It has a long tube, without finger holes, through which the player blows. It is sometimes fitted with a mouthpiece of beeswax. Didgeridoos are usually made of eucalyptus, but new materials such as PVC piping can be used
The gumleaf is a wind instrument. Beginners struggle to make any sound at all. The gum-leaf, as the name suggests, is a tree leaf, held against the lips and blown so as to act as a vibrating valve.
The bullroarer (plural bullroarers) is an ancient ritual musical instrument and means of communicating over extended distances, consisting of a slat of wood tied to the end of a thong or string, with which the slat is whirled so as to cause an intermittent roaring noise.
A clapstick is a type of percussion musical instrument. Unlike drumsticks, which are generally used to strike a drum, clapsticks are for striking one stick on another.
Different Types of music from Australia
Bunggul is a style of music that is known for its lyrics. They are often stories of epic journeys. They continue, or repeat, unaccompanied after the music has stopped.
Clan songs and songlinesA particular clan in Aboriginal culture may share songs. Songs are about clan or family history. Songlinesare about Dreamtime. They have oral lore and storytelling in a series of song cycles. By singing the songs in the right order, indigenous Australians could travel vast distances.
Krill KrillThe Krill Krill song cycle is new music from east Kimberley.
Kun-borrkKun-borrk was started around the Adelaide, Mann and Rose Rivers. It has a didgeridoo start and then percussion and vocals. The vocals often include words.
WanggaWangga started near the South Alligator River. It has a very high note to start the song. This is joined by rhythmic percussion. It is followed by a sudden shift to a low tone.
clapsticks
bullroarer
Using a gum leaf to make music
Music from Ireland
Traditional Irish music is played by a variety of instruments such as the bodhran (Irish drum), the fiddle, the flute, the tin whistle and uilleann pipes and guitar among others.
Because of its melodious tunes and rhythms, Irish music seems to be slow and sad. Irish ballads and folk music tell the story of the struggles of the people of Ireland and that is another reason why it sounds mellow and sad.
Irish songs tell a story through song making them even more appealing to listeners.
In Ireland, whether it be tin whistle, recorder or songs in the Irish language, everybody is taught music and taught through music. To keep the Irish identity and culture alive, children were taught Irish dancing and ancient Irish songs
Irish Musical Instruments
Accordions & concertinas These box-shaped musical instruments are often used in traditional Irish performances.They are sometimes called “the squeezebox,” because sound is made by squeezing and releasing the box while pressing buttons at the same time.
The low whistle is an instrument which similar to a tin whistle although it is larger and produces a deeper, lower tone
The tin whistle is more popular. This instrument is taught to most Irish school children. It has a mouthpiece that is blown into while air holes are covered and released to produce various sounds.
Another instrument used in traditional Irish music is the Irish flute. Again, many Irish children would have been taught this instrument while at school. Similar to the tin whistle, air is blown through a mouthpiece while holes are covered and released to produce varying tones. Unlike the tin whistle, however, the Irish flute is made of wood.
Another popular instrument would be the banjo. This instrument can be found with four, five, or six strings and has a round body. Often, this instrument can be seen at spontaneous traditional Irish music sessions that starts at the local shows.
Uilleann pipes are known as “the Bagpipes of Ireland.” This instrument was known as the “union pipes.” A mechanism assists in the inflation of the bag, while a wide range of notes allows for varying tones.
The Celtic harp is an ancient instrument associated with Ireland. Ireland is, in fact, the only country in the entire world whose emblem is a musical instrument. The instrument is large in size, often with a wooden frame and wire strings. This is considered an incredibly difficult instrument to learn.
The bodhrán is a hand-held, framed drum instrument that originated in Ireland. This lightweight instrument is commonly seen today in traditional Irish music groups. The body of the drum is usually made from wood, while the head or covering is made from goatskin. A small double-headed stick called a beater (or sometimes a cipín or tipper) is used to create sound drumming against the goatskin.
One of the most popular instruments is the fiddle. A fiddle is the Irish term for a violin, and it consists of bow strings held across a small wooden body.
Different Types of music from Ireland
Traditional Irish songs can be put into one of two categories: the slow ballad songs and the fast paced dancing songs.
Sean Nós is an especially famous type of Irish song. Sean Nós songs are always sung unaccompanied by a single person in the Irish language. The words and music are of equal importance, and were passed down orally from generation to generation. Songs are sung with free rhythm, speeding up and slowing down according to the words and their expression. It has a nasal tone quality (Sounds like it is being sung through the nose) and due to its slow, melodic style.
Dancing songs are much more popular than Sean Nós songs, and are almost always accompanied by a ceilidh (a group of dancers who dance in a simple formation that interchanges partners and directions at various intervals). There are three main categories of dancing music; jigs, reels, and hornpipes.
The reel is the most common form of Irish dance tune. They are quite fast paced. Jigs are even faster in tempo and some varieties are usually danced by women. Hornpipes are slower than jigs and reels, usually played to give musicians a bit of a rest after the vigorous faster songs! They begin with an upbeat rhythm and then even out into a dotted rhythm with triplets. The dancing that accompanies hornpipe songs is very intricate. Dancers wear hard shoes as this type of song was originally adapted purely as a show piece.
As well as dancing music, which is almost exclusively instrumental, there are plenty of songs that include lyrics too.
Whenever you are writing remember to refer back to this checklist.
Remember to challenge yourself to use as many year 2 skills as you can in your writing.
Main ActivityYou are going to write a fact file about the music from a place of your choice. You could use the information provided or you can choose your own place to research and write about.
You can use this template if you are able to print it out or you could draw you own template on a sheet of paper. You could then choose your own layout for your fact file.
Remember to include some illustrations as well.
Don’t forget to check your Year 2 skills check list!
See the example on the next page.
Here is an example of a fact file for Music from Jamaica.
Now have a go at doing a fact file or two of different places.
