Lesson Plan

• Identify and describe key musical elements (melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, timbre, form, expression) in a listening excerpt.
• Use appropriate musical terminology to construct a structured written commentary.
• Analyse and compare multiple recordings, noting differences in tempo, dynamics, and timbre.
• Apply a step‑by‑step aural analysis process to produce a concise five‑sentence commentary.
• Evaluate commentary against assessment criteria for accuracy and depth.

• Audio playback device or computer with speakers
• Projector and screen
• Printed or digital listening excerpts
• Commentary framework handout
• Musical terminology glossary sheet
• Whiteboard and markers
• Worksheets for form diagramming

Imagine hearing a piece and being able to explain exactly how it makes you feel. Students already know basic musical symbols and have practiced simple listening tasks, so they can focus on deeper analysis. Today they will learn a systematic listening process and produce a structured commentary using correct terminology. Success will be measured by the accuracy and organization of their written responses.

1. Do‑now (5') – Students write one sentence describing the mood of a short excerpt played silently and share briefly.
2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Review key listening skills and the commentary framework using the projector.
3. Guided aural analysis (20') – Play a selected excerpt and walk through the seven‑step listening process, recording observations on the board.
4. Pair activity (15') – Students listen to a new 30‑second excerpt and complete a five‑sentence commentary using the handout; teacher circulates for support.
5. Comparative listening (10') – Play two recordings of the same piece; students note differences in tempo, dynamics, and timbre in a comparison table.
6. Whole‑class feedback (5') – Highlight a few commentaries, discussing terminology accuracy and structural coherence.
7. Exit ticket (5') – Each student writes one specific improvement they will make in their next commentary.

We reviewed the step‑by‑step listening process and saw how it feeds into a clear written commentary. The exit tickets highlighted personal next steps, and the comparative activity reinforced attention to detail. For homework, students will choose a piece of their choice, apply the framework, and submit a full commentary for peer review.