I've taught English as a second language to various levels of learners; community college, continuing ed seekers, graduate students, children, and adult preliterate students. Having earned degrees in ESL and music, I naturally use music in my classroom on a daily basis with every level of learner.
I'm currently teaching preliterate adult refugees. Most of them are Karen (from Burma) and their experience in my class is their first experience with formal education. Any way that I can lower their fear of trying new things or participating in class is worth implementing. M u s i c is a great way to achieve this!
I use music everyday in class as it calms my students, allows them to see me be goofy and take risks, and is a community centered activity.
One of the songs my students love to sing is our version of the "Happy Days" theme song. Remember this?
I'm currently teaching preliterate adult refugees. Most of them are Karen (from Burma) and their experience in my class is their first experience with formal education. Any way that I can lower their fear of trying new things or participating in class is worth implementing. M u s i c is a great way to achieve this!
I use music everyday in class as it calms my students, allows them to see me be goofy and take risks, and is a community centered activity.
One of the songs my students love to sing is our version of the "Happy Days" theme song. Remember this?
I taught my students an altered version of this song teaching the days of the week. Here's how it goes:
Activity:
1.) Pass out signs to 7 students that have one of the days of the week written on it in bold print. I use some that are laminated and have fun colors and designs. You can purchase these at a school supply store or on Amazon (https://amzn.com/B00207MGDA).
2.) Have the 7 students come up to the front of the class with their signs. You then help them get in order starting with Sunday through Saturday. After a few times of doing this, they will get the hang of it and help out new students.
3.) When students are lined up, have the rest of the class read their signs. They will often catch a mistake but you may need to lead them to it.
4.) Have the students practice holding up their sign in the air when you call on their day of the week.
5.) Once they get the hang of holding up their sign, you can start teaching the song.
Activity:
1.) Pass out signs to 7 students that have one of the days of the week written on it in bold print. I use some that are laminated and have fun colors and designs. You can purchase these at a school supply store or on Amazon (https://amzn.com/B00207MGDA).
2.) Have the 7 students come up to the front of the class with their signs. You then help them get in order starting with Sunday through Saturday. After a few times of doing this, they will get the hang of it and help out new students.
3.) When students are lined up, have the rest of the class read their signs. They will often catch a mistake but you may need to lead them to it.
4.) Have the students practice holding up their sign in the air when you call on their day of the week.
5.) Once they get the hang of holding up their sign, you can start teaching the song.
"Sunday, Monday - Happy Day - Tuesday, Wednesday - Happy Day - Thursday, Friday - Happy Day - Saturday - Happy Day!!
6.) Doing this day after day during your unit or a few times a week will help the students catch on.
My students have a lot of fun with this and after a few times, they start to sing it to themselves and ask to do it during class. It's also a reference that they can go to to practice the order of the days of the week. Have fun making music in your class! Check back for more activities that you can incorporate in your classroom!
**Note: My classroom currently doesn't have a computer or projector so they've never heard the actual song. If you do have access to a computer, you could incorporate it when introducing the song.
**Note: My classroom currently doesn't have a computer or projector so they've never heard the actual song. If you do have access to a computer, you could incorporate it when introducing the song.
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