Songs can be an effective way for educators to teach important concepts and for children to practice oral language skills. But, in order for songs to properly function as a scaffold for learners, they must be imparted in a way that will lead children into fully participating in the song and feeling successful.
Direct instruction of songs is recommended (Paquette & Reig, 2008). The following steps are useful when teaching songs to your students:
Direct instruction of songs is recommended (Paquette & Reig, 2008). The following steps are useful when teaching songs to your students:
1. Expose the children to the song regularly (i.e. every day) so that they become familiar with the tune and lyrics.
2. If the song is comprised of verses and a chorus, the children should first sing the chorus while the teacher sings the verses.
3. Sing the song accompanied by the recording so that the children can join in when they are ready.
4. Using lined chart paper, create a song chart that includes pictures or a rebus to help children who are still learning to read to remember the song.
5. Teach the song in segments or phrases and then put them together.
6. Lastly, if there are actions to the song, teach children the song first and then the actions after (or vice versa). (Isenberg & Jalongo, 2010)
2. If the song is comprised of verses and a chorus, the children should first sing the chorus while the teacher sings the verses.
3. Sing the song accompanied by the recording so that the children can join in when they are ready.
4. Using lined chart paper, create a song chart that includes pictures or a rebus to help children who are still learning to read to remember the song.
5. Teach the song in segments or phrases and then put them together.
6. Lastly, if there are actions to the song, teach children the song first and then the actions after (or vice versa). (Isenberg & Jalongo, 2010)
References
Isenberg, J. P., & Jalongo, M. R. (2010). Creative thinking and arts-based learning: Preschool through fourth grade. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Merrill.
Paquette, K. R., & Rieg, S. A. (2008). Using music to support the literacy development of young English language learners.Early Childhood Education Journal, 36(3), 227-232. Doi:10.1007/s10643-008-0277-9
Isenberg, J. P., & Jalongo, M. R. (2010). Creative thinking and arts-based learning: Preschool through fourth grade. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Merrill.
Paquette, K. R., & Rieg, S. A. (2008). Using music to support the literacy development of young English language learners.Early Childhood Education Journal, 36(3), 227-232. Doi:10.1007/s10643-008-0277-9