KS3 National Strategy

The activities in Starters and Plenaries for Music are based upon the principles laid out in the Key Stage 3 National Strategy regarding the structure of lessons. Although aimed at supporting the progress of Key Stage 3 students, the principles are equally applicable to Key Stage 4 and GCSE lessons. The DfES emphasises the importance of a clear lesson structure:

‘Research shows that structuring learning, for example by dividing lessons into clear episodes or sections, helps to maintain pace and challenge and thus enhance learning.

Structuring learning may involve teachers:

• getting lessons off to a flying start by involving the whole class in a lively, engaging and thought-provoking starter activity
• using plenaries to crystallise and embed pupils’ learning
• providing opportunities for pupils to reflect on both what has been learnt and on the strategies used in the learning
• helping pupils to transfer learning in order to encourage its wider application by recognising connections between the thinking involved in one lesson and other contexts.’

Key Stage 3 Strategy, Foundation Subjects: ‘Key Messages About Structuring Learning’, DfES 0044/2003