Developing critical listening and appraising skills is one of the most rewarding – yet challenging – aspects of teaching secondary music. Whether your students are dissecting musical elements for GCSE or analysing set works at A-Level, structured note-taking makes a huge difference.
We’re excited to share that our KS4 and KS5 Listening Journals have been updated!
Both resources have been given a fresh design lift, cleaned up the layout for improved readability, and added extra content to make them even more practical in today’s music classroom.
What’s New in the Updated Journals?
Both journals retain the core features such as target key word glossaries, structured prompts, and flexible templates that work with any piece of music you choose to study. However, these latest versions include:
- Refined, Clean Design: Clearer visual hierarchy so students can quickly find key terms, prompts, and response sections.
- Improved Page Layouts: Optimised spacing gives students ample room to jot down musical observations. Plus there are pages at the back for additional notes.
- Additional Content: Enhanced prompt tables, updated glossaries and handy tips.
Flexible Delivery: Printable or Digital
While these 36-page (KS4) and 49-page (KS5) journals are ready to print out as traditional physical workbooks, they also work as digital resources.
If your department relies on Chromebooks, iPads, or digital learning platforms like Google Classroom or Teams, students can type their listening responses directly into the PDF.
How Students Can Type Directly into the PDF
You don’t need expensive PDF software to complete these digitally – a web browser is all it takes. Here are the steps:
Via Google Chrome
- Open the PDF in Google Chrome: Right-click the saved PDF file, select Open with, and choose Google Chrome (or drag and drop the PDF file into an open Chrome tab).
- Select the Text Tool: in the PDF toolbar at the top of the Chrome window, click the ‘T’ (Add Text) icon.
- Click & Type: click anywhere inside the response boxes or template sections to start typing notes directly onto the page. You can adjust the text colour and size as required.
- Save Your Progress: Click the Download / Save icon in the top-right corner and select “With your changes” to save a copy with all typed responses preserved.
Via Classroom Apps (Kami, Acrobat REader or Apple Books)
- Upload the PDF to interactive PDF markup apps like Kami, Google Classroom, or Adobe Acrobat Reader, where students can draw, highlight, or add text boxes seamlessly.
How to Get Your Updated Copies
- For Teacher Access Plan Members: If you hold an active Teacher Access Plan, the updated KS4 and KS5 Listening Journals are ready for you to download directly from your dashboard at no extra charge.
- For existing customers: did you purchase either journal previously? You get the updated version for free. Simply drop an email to info@icancompose.com with your order number or the email address linked to your purchase, and our team will send over a link to download the new version.
- New to the Listening Journals? You can explore and purchase the updated packs directly from the shop using the links below:
We hope these updated layouts help streamline your appraising lessons and spark valuable musical discussions in your classroom! As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or feedback.
