- •Songs and games
- •Learning outcomes
- •Why songs and games?
- •1.1 Why songs and games?
- •1.1 Why songs and games?
- •1.2 To sing or not to sing?
- •1.3 The advantages of songs and rhymes
- •1.3 Advantages of songs and rhymes
- •2.2 Action songs and rhymes
- •This is the way we ...
- •This is the way we say hello
- •2.3 Traditional versus contemporary songs
- •2.3 Traditional versus contemporary songs
- •Pizza and chips
- •3.2 Adapting songs for the language classroom
- •3.1 Commentary - Adapting songs for the language classroom
- •Actions
- •Adding sound effects
- •Substituting other tunes
- •Omission
- •3.2 Adding actions to songs
- •3.2 Commentary - Adding actions to songs
- •The Alphabet Song
- •Other song ideas
- •Final points about songs
- •4.1 Final points about songs
- •4.1 Final points about songs
- •Are the children involved?
- •Is language development integrated into the song?
- •Does it encourage active learning?
- •Games - what and why?
- •5.1 Games - what are they?
- •5.1 Games - what are they?
- •5.2 Why games?
- •5.2 Why games?
- •Purpose, organisation and materials
- •6.1 Purpose, organisation and materials
- •The purpose of playing games
- •Code-control games
- •Communication games
- •Patterns of organisation
- •Materials and equipment needed
- •The Word Chain game
- •Language focus and involvement
- •7.1 Language focus and involvement
- •Competition and Co-operation
- •Uncertainty
- •7.1 Answer key - Language focus and involvement
- •Songs, rhymes and games - things to avoid
- •8.1 Songs, rhymes and games - things to avoid
- •8.1 Songs, rhymes and games - things to avoid
Songs, rhymes and games - things to avoid
This exercise will take around 20 - 30 minutes.
Throughout this module you have focused on the advantages of using songs, rhymes and games in your young learner classroom but of course, there are some things to avoid.
It is just as important that you are aware of these so that you can minimise any problems and justify, if necessary, why you are using such activities in your class.
Open the Things to avoid resource below and read about some of the things to be aware of.
8.1 Songs, rhymes and games - things to avoid
Throughout this unit you have focused on the advantages of using songs, rhymes and games in your young learner classroom but of course, there are some things to avoid.
It is just as important that you are aware of these so that you can minimise any problems and justify, if necessary, why you are using such activities in your class.
Here are some points to consider in your use of songs, rhymes and games.
Songs and games are not just time fillers
You need to plan your time in the classroom carefully as the children have a limited number of English lessons per week. Every minute is valuable, so know why you are using that particular song or game. It must be completely integrated into the language learning aims of your lesson.
Songs and games can be demotivating
The confidence and motivation of young learners has to be gradually built up and new language has to be introduced in an understandable sequence. Uncontrolled language in songs and games can turn children into parrots that simply repeat everything automatically. The best songs and games are those in which language can continue to develop for some time.
Don't use too many songs and games
If you use too many songs and games, it’s possible that the children will get most of their stimulation from the constant changes in activity and they’ll become restless. It’s better to use just a few games which the children really like and let their English develop within these games.
Songs and games are noisy
Some songs and games will be noisier than others, depending on organisation patterns used etc. Remember, though, that children are most noisy when they’re not really engaged by an activity. A quiet classroom is often a boring, dead lesson. A slightly noisy classroom is a learning classroom.
Games can be difficult to set up
You'll look at setting up activities in more detail in the Classroom management unit, but this is a very important point. You need to think carefully about how you are going to explain a game and give clear instructions to the children. It doesn't matter how experienced you are - this can sometimes go wrong!
In this unit you've thought about why you might try using songs, rhymes and games with your young learners and what you need to consider when selecting which activities to use. You've also looked at some activities that you could try, and some ways of adapting songs and rhymes.
Remember that play is an essential part of a child's world. If you have the confidence to exploit this in your teaching, you will very quickly see the benefits in your classroom.