6. Clocks Ticking

The history of Coventry’s clock and watchmaking industry can be traced back to the latter half of the 17th century when Samuel Watson became famous for his innovative astronomical clock [A on our alphabetical list]. 

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Teach/learn the song in sections: tongue twisters/main melody followed by more tongue twisters. The main melody ~ There is music in the air tonight ~  is easy and children instinctively know where the melody leads. 
​Verses to be sung by all;  just play the track and  the music teaches itself.
 
Caterpillar, stegosaurus, alligator, pomegranate, barracuda, ballerina, Cinderella, plum!
How many syllables in each word? Which is the odd one out? Why?
Tap on knees (7 x 4) + 1 = 29; start alternately with left/right hand.
Can you tap and chant simultaneously? Start softly and crescendo towards ‘plum’!
KS1 & KS2 - (KS2 second part in canon).
Tongue-twisters ~ allocate to groups (by colour on the vocal video); when up to the challenge, children should go for it! 
 
Explore the qualities of the spoken voice when chanting/rapping: soft and loud; whispered and projected.
Use the first syllable of each word as an anchor to keep the tempo and rhythm tight.
    
Tick tick tock, ticka ticka tock, tick tock - chant this phrase rhythmically or whisper it articulately; practise it separately and it will become an ostinato rhythm to be chanted/played throughout. 
 
Imagine yourself surrounded by the constant ticking of various timepieces. Transfer the rhythms into body percussion and add suitable instruments to create an industrial soundscape called the Clockmaker's Workshop.
 
A-Z list of clocks Big Ben and Exotic Clock are the odd ones out! Why?
♫  Make a collection of traditional tongue twisters and record different people reciting them (Red lorry,        yellow lorry; She sells sea shells; Peter Piper).
💡  Write your own tongue-twistery verses.
        Research the astronomical clock.  If the clock had been designed today, how might it be different            and why?