Using chants and songs in the classroom

1. Using chants and songs in the classroom

2. Session aims • Why use chants and songs? • Introduce different examples of songs and chants for classroom use • Focus on chants and pronunciation • Focus on songs and listening

3. Children learn languages through… • actively seeking to interpret meaning from • making creative use of the • an instinct for • indirect learning e.g. through • a capacity to find • an ability to use context language they know. talking and interacting. games and songs. fun. fantasy and imagination. (S Halliwell, Teaching English in the Primary Classroom)

4. Why use chants and songs • To improve pronunciation • To develop listening skills • To integrate oral, aural, visual and kinaesthetic learning styles • To make language memorable (chunks) • To present language in a fun and non-threatening way • To change the pace of the lesson and motivate learners. • To develop concentration, coordination and confidence • Songs give new insights into the target culture

5. Songs and chants for classroom use • Music for Maintaining a Positive and Orderly Classroom Environment • Songs for Classroom Management and Establishing Classroom Procedures • Songs for Starting the Day and Music to Say Good-Bye and End the Day • Songs that Teach Conversational English and English Vocabulary • Songs that Teach English Grammar and a Systematic Approach to Learning English • Language and Grammar Songs Especially for Children

6. SONGS AND CHANTS FOR CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT Good morning Good morning to you.Put a smile on your face,It's a brand new day Good morning, good morningGood morning to you.Each day is a new gift to open and use.

7. SONGS AND CHANTS FOR CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT To the tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Children, children, look this way, Listen to what I will say, Fold your hand, sit up straight, Please be quiet as you wait. Children, children, look this way, Listen to what I will say. ACTION CHANT Open them, close them, Open them, close them, Give your hands a clap. Open them, close them, Open them, close them, Fold them in your lap.

8. Here are some ideas for the use of songs in the ESL class • Filling in the blanks • Listening Comprehension • Phonetics • Strips of Paper • Vocabulary • Circle the antonyms/synonyms of the given words. • Discuss

9. What do I need to think about when planning chants and songs? • The rhythm and intonation • The patterns of connected speech • The visuals to use • The actions to use • The interaction patterns • Whether you’re going to say/sing the chant/song or play a recording.

10. The Dinosaur Chant

11. I saw a dinosaur swinging from a tree

12. I met a dinosaur waiting for a train.

13. I saw a dinosaur dancing in the rain.

14. I found a dinosaur sitting in the park.

15. I heard a dinosaur singing in he dark.

16. I heard a dinosaur say, I heard a dinosaur say, “Hello.” “Let’s go!”

17. I smiled at him and said , “O.K.”

18. He said, ”See you later, alligator. Have a nice day.”

19. The Dinosaur Chant

20. This song is helpful for: Structures • Simple past affirmative statements: I saw a dinosour. • Simple past information questions with what: What did you see? • Prepositional phrases: from a tree, in the rain, in th park, in the dark. Expressions:O.K., Have a nice day., See you later, alligator.( humorous form for Goodbye)

21. Child development — the process of children growing physically, socially and cognitively What does the song tell us about how children learn languages?

22. To Summarise… Keep children motivated and focussed, which in turn… …supports children’s learning and development, and …aids our classroom management!

23. REMEMBER…. Set aGOOD EXAMPLE Provide children withPOSITIVE REINFORCEMENT HAVE FUNandENJOYthe experience of teaching young learners