Update 114 Changing the Words - Changing our Tune
- Howie Gordon
- Apr 2, 2024
- 3 min read
Many years ago I adapted my first song when writing a camp song for a Youth movement kids to sing at camp. Even then I saw the benefit. Nowadays I see the benefit of teaching English as a foreign language. Changing the words to popular songs can really assist your pupils in learning. They know the tune, and they will learn the adapted words as well.
Theory
Changing the words of a song for educational purposes can be an effective way to enhance learning. Music and rhythm can help with memory retention, make learning more engaging, increase motivation, facilitate language learning, support different learning styles, and promote creativity. To make the most of this approach, choose familiar melodies, ensure relevance to the learning objectives, incorporate repetition, and involve students in the process. Educational music can be a powerful tool for enhancing learning outcomes across a variety of subjects and age groups.
Implementation Tips
- Choose Familiar Melodies: Use melodies that students are likely to know and enjoy to increase engagement.
- Ensure Relevance: The new lyrics should closely align with the learning objectives and content.
- Incorporate Repetition: Repetition is a key aspect of learning through music, so include key facts or concepts multiple times within the song.
- Engage Students in the Process: Involve students in creating their own educational songs. This can enhance creativity and deepen their understanding of the subject matter.
In conclusion, changing the words of a song for learning purposes can be a powerful educational tool, offering a unique and effective way to enhance learning outcomes across a variety of subjects and age groups.
Do you want to learn some English?
Here is an example of a song that I adapted many years ago. From - “Do you want to build a snowman?” "Frozen" to - Do you want to learn some English?
You might get to see me in the video as well. By the way - I do that on purpose to show the pupils that if I can you can.
Inspirational Quotes
“I would go mad were it not for music. Music is heaven’s best gift to humanity. It is a faithful friend , to protect us, to comfort us. It alone clarifies, reconciles and consoles” — Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
“In every life we have some trouble. When you worry you make it double -
Bobby Mcferrin
Mondly
Every week we send out a Mondly tip. So I took my own advice and created a chant with made up words
Sing and chant with your pupils. Send us a video of your pupils chanting
My happy corner - Smile of the week
I like to find instances that involve music / movement that make me smile.
The bottle flip
Human Clock
1994 I adapted this song to the tune of Coco Jumbo - When Walkmans were famous.
Lala Coco Jumbo Lala Yeah
Lala Coco Jumbo Lala Yeah
A’s for apple
Bounce your ball
C’s for cat
And out the Door
E’s an egg
On the Floor
Let’s start to read!
G’s goodbye
H - hello
I’s for ice-cream
With Jello
K’s for kite
High and Low
Let’s start to read!
CHORUS
Let’s learn to read now
Come on let’s learn to read yeah!
M’s a monkey
N for nine
O’s for ouch
From a Porcupine
Q for queen
R U fine
Let’s start to read!
S for sugar
Two for tea
Use two fingers
Make a V
With your Walkman
X...Y...Z
Sing with me
CHORUS
Let’s learn to read now
Come on let’s learn to read yeah!
This is still an ear worm for me today.
Digital Tool of the Week
Blooket Revisited
I had the pleasure of showing Blooket this week and I demonstrated how we can use AI to create questions for Blooket in their template and then upload the csv file in seconds. Huge Shoutout to the newcomers from the PLC in Kfar Saba
Take a look at this video where I explain the process.
Suggestion:
Create a table of questions from a text / song with 4 possible answers. Copy the questions into the Blooket Template,
Musical Joke of the Week
My girlfriend left me because of my obsession with Linkin Park…But in the end it doesn’t really matter
P.S. I feel very sorry for all those batteries that are not included.
You can access these broadcasts via the WhatsApp group
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You can access our site at http://bit.ly/learnintune and past broadcasts here https://learnntune.wixsite.com/my-site
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