L3 MS E

A first learning experience to introduce the song ‘Little Ducks’ through recitation and discussion.

TEACHER GUIDE: A Lyric Recitation 

LYRICS (for printing)

LEARNING EXPERIENCE: A Lyric Recitation 

GATHERING EXPERIENCE: A Lyric Recitation 

Learn the lyrics of the song, Little Ducks - verse 1.

TEACHER GUIDE: Learn the Lyrics (verse 1)

LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Learn the Lyrics (verse 1)

GATHERING EXPERIENCE: Learn the Lyrics (verse 1)

Learn the lyrics of the song, Little Ducks - verse 2.

TEACHER GUIDE: Learn the Lyrics (verse 2)

LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Learn the Lyrics (verse 2)

GATHERING EXPERIENCE: Learn the Lyrics - Verse 2

This activity introduces learners to an audio performance of the song, Little Ducks. Learners will hear the melodic line married to the lyrics they have previously learned. Listening with focus and concentration will help to enable powers of musical observation.

TEACHER GUIDE: Listen and Enjoy (Audio)

LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Listen and Enjoy (Audio)

GATHERING EXPERIENCE: Listen and Enjoy (Audio)

Each learner will create an illustrated lyric page entry for their Music Journal - a record of repertoire learned throughout the year.

TEACHER GUIDE: Create a Music Journal Entry

LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Listen and Enjoy (audio)

CREATE AND CONNECT: Create Music Journal Entry

Have fun expressing the musical pulse with a ball by learning to time the simple bounce-catch action in time with the music. This activity challenges learners to learn this elemental ball skill with both hands. Learners will also be prompted to change hands on the count of 8 – an added element to make the challenge even more fun!


TEACHER GUIDE: Express the Steady Pulse with a Ball (count 8)

LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Express the Steady Pulse with a Ball (count 8)

CORE: Express the Steady Pulse with a Ball (count 8)

This activity introduces learners to 3 sets of code words to further their understanding and awareness of the division of the musical pulse into 2 equal things. Three sets of code words are introduced: quick-quick and slow; short-short and long; 2-things and 1.

TEACHER GUIDE: Introduction to Code Words

LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Introduction to Code Words

CORE: Introduction to Code Words

This video presents the song, Little Ducks, in a video rendition. Learners can enjoy watching and listening while preparing for the next step - learning the melody.


TEACHER GUIDE: Listen and Enjoy (video)

LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Listen and Enjoy (video)

GATHERING EXPERIENCE: Listen and Enjoy (video)

The aim of this activity is for learners to begin to develop the aural and vocal skill required to be able to sing with accuracy, the song Little Ducks. This song offers an opportunity for learners to experience simple, yet fundamental, musical elements from a sensory point of view. These elements will be presented more formally in later learning activities.

TEACHER GUIDE: Learn the Melody (Verse 1)

LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Learn the Melody (Verse 1)

GATHERING EXPERIENCE: Learn the Melody (Verse 1)

TEACHER GUIDE: Learn the Melody (Verse 2)

LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Learn the Melody (Verse 2)

GATHERING EXPERIENCE: Learn the Melody (Verse 2)

The 2nd in a series of bounce-catch ball skill activities, this challenge reduces the count from 8 to 4 requiring added concentration and eye-hand co-ordination to negotiate switching hands while remaining in time with the music.

TEACHER GUIDE: Express the Musical Pulse with a Ball (count 4)

LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Express the Musical Pulse with a Ball (count 4)

CORE: Express the Musical Pulse with a Ball (count 4)

This introductory music literacy activity introduces the 1-line music staff in preparation for learning to notate simple melodic phrases. The focus of this first step is to understand how to position notes correctly in the spaces above and below the 1-line music staff.

TEACHER GUIDE: Position Notes Correctly in the Spaces of the 1-Line Staff

WORKSHEET (for printing)

1-LINE MUSIC STAFF (for printing)

LEARNING EXPERIENCE 1: Position Notes Correctly in the Spaces of the 1-Line Staff

LEARNING EXPERIENCE 2: Position Notes Correctly in the Spaces of the 1-Line Staff (answers)

CORE: Position Notes Correctly in the Spaces of the 1-Line Staff

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.emsona.com/student/courses/31245/watch/?enrollment_id=1971614&amp;lesson_id=435072" style="background-color: rgb(106, 252, 194); color: black; padding: 15px 30px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; display: inline-block; font-size: 18px; border-radius: 6px;">Get Started!</a>This unit welcomes young learners into the world of music through the delightful song Little Ducks. The journey begins with lyric recitation, inviting children to discover the story of ducks and frogs while building attentive listening skills. Through echo-back and call-and-answer techniques, learners gradually memorise both verses, developing confidence and expressive speaking abilities.As children progress, they experience the melody through audio and video performances, allowing them to connect lyrics with musical sound. The creative journal activity encourages personal artistic expression, helping learners make the song their own through illustration and sharing.Woven throughout are core musical skills that support broader development. Ball bounce-catch activities build coordination while reinforcing steady pulse awareness, teaching children to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. The introduction to pulse division helps young minds understand rhythm patterns using friendly code words. Music literacy begins gently with one-line staff mechanics, demystifying notation through hands-on exploration.The unit culminates with opportunities for research and presentation about ducks, connecting musical learning to natural science and communication skills. Each activity builds upon previous experiences, creating a scaffolded pathway where success breeds confidence and joy in music-making.Learning OutcomesUpon completion of this learning sequence, learners will be able to …<ul><li>Listen attentively and follow musical performances with growing focus and concentration</li><li>Recite and sing the complete song from memory with expressive delivery and vocal accuracy</li><li>Express steady musical pulse through movement and props while understanding rhythm subdivision concepts</li><li>Collaborate effectively in partner and group activities using echo-back and call-and-answer techniques</li><li>Create and share personal artistic responses inspired by musical and lyrical content</li><li>Demonstrate foundational music literacy skills including proper note positioning on a one-line staff</li></ul>Notes and TipsEcho-Back and Call-and-Answer Technique: Use expressive recitation with tonal variety and clear articulation to engage learners. Create diverse team configurations including whole class, small groups, pairs, and solos. Always swap roles to ensure every learner experiences both leading and responding.Vocal Development: Prioritise enjoyment over perfection. Encourage self-observation where learners notice their own vocal accuracy. Small group activities provide valuable opportunities for individual singers to hear themselves. Maintain a relaxed atmosphere with patience and encouragement.Ball Bounce-Catch Activities: Begin without balls by miming actions and chanting together. Progress through stages adding counting and hand-switching. Make bouncing sounds by patting knees during practice. Remember that coordination develops over time so maintain patience and humour throughout the learning process.Pulse Division: This skill requires time to develop. Visual guides in videos provide essential support initially. Focus on helping learners feel the division into two equal parts using code word-pairs as conscious labels for sensory experiences.Music Literacy: Generate curiosity about notation before formal instruction. Encourage creative thinking without pressure for correct answers. Provide hands-on materials including counters and staff worksheets. Allow ample time for completion and peer-created exercises for additional practice.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.emsona.com/student/courses/31245/watch/?enrollment_id=1971614&amp;lesson_id=435072" style="background-color: rgb(106, 252, 194); color: black; padding: 15px 30px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; display: inline-block; font-size: 18px; border-radius: 6px;">Get Started!</a>

A comprehensive introduction to the song Little Ducks through recitation, lyric learning, melody development, and creative expression, enriched with foundational music skills including pulse awareness, rhythm concepts, and basic notation.

Course content

L3: Little Ducks-Unit A

Adele O'Dwyer