5 ideas for using songs with primary learners

Hello, hello, guys.

I’m sorry, music.

Who doesn’t enjoy it?

That’s one of the many reasons to use it in your classes.

And in today’s video, I will give you a few tips,

ideas and reasons for using songs in your online classes.

When singing, the two parts of the brain work together.

Yes, and songs help you introduce grammar

and vocabulary and help

your students improve their pronunciation.

Songs can help us with connected speech.

In addition, songs often contain authentic and natural language

and a variety of accents.

Music works with emotions and feelings,

this makes learning easier and more meaningful.

You’re right.

Music somehow connects with your memory

and personal experiences.

For example, let me tell you a story about it.

When I was younger,

I used to confuse the days of the week a lot,

especially Saturday and Sunday.

By that time,

I also used to love I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas,

so every time that I had trouble with it,

I started humming the song because there is a section

where they mention all the days of the week.

Songs don’t just teach language but their meaning

and lyrics can also be related to our daily lives.

Music allows us to understand and interact with each other.

Definitely.

For example, let’s think about folk music.

It reflects culture

and values of our place or group of people,

so by listening to it you can somehow understand

and know better their traditions and history.

Number one, total physical response is key, even online.

Total physical response is a teaching method

where students do

physical actions along with something they’re listening to,

like a song.

This is fun for children and helps them to focus.

Make use of movement.

This will help children get the meaning of vocabulary

from the actions and the story.

Number two, use songs and music for classroom management.

Sometimes, putting on relaxing background music

or a lullaby can help calm boisterous learners

after a high energy activity.

Likewise, if learners are lethargic,

putting on more upbeat music can help energise them.

Number three, using songs doesn’t mean you have to sing.

For higher-level primary students, aged nine, ten,

they often stop wanting to sing because they get self-conscious.

An activity where they write an extra verse to

the song can allow them to engage with the song

and the language without forcing them to sing.

Number four, use songs to build awareness of rhyme.

Learners can listen

and fill in the rhyming couplets at the end of each line.

Number five, don’t have a great voice for singing?

Don’t worry.

There is always lip-syncing and,

if there are words

that cannot be represented with movements,

you can always use props and realia.

The morning rap,

we do it every day, the same routine,

now listen and sing.

It’s seven o’clock, wake up, wake up,

you must get up and have a wash.

Come on, come on, it’s time to go.

It’s been a pleasure to share these ideas

with you guys again.

Please comment below

if you have more ideas for working with songs,

and if you want to find more practical examples and idea,

you should definitely watch… Be safe, guys.

See you.