Update 132 - Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?
- Howie Gordon
- Sep 18, 2025
- 5 min read
Welcome to the teachers that I met in Netivot this week. Welcome to the broadcasts.
Bohemian Rhapsody - This song has been on my mind this last week. You may ask why? Well it never seems to leave my mind and yet this week I received to reminders of how powerful this song is and how spectacular it is in a musical sense. Here is the original by Queen
Then this insane Flash mob popped up all around social media. If you haven't seen it, it is really worth it.
Such amazing talent. Look below for the third Bohemian Rhapsody Surprise.
This brings me to an idea that I always wanted to do at my school and never got around to doing it. An English song flashmob. Each class sings one verse and comes into a common area singing their verse and join with the rest of the school to sing the chorus.
Who is willing to give it a shot?
Here is a breakdown produced by Chat GPT that can be followed for a successful outcome.
1. Planning & Preparation
Choose the song carefully: Pick an English song that is age-appropriate, upbeat, and easy to learn. Ideally, it should include simple, repetitive lyrics that reinforce vocabulary or grammar.
Set objectives: Decide whether the focus is vocabulary reinforcement, pronunciation practice, or cultural exposure.
Get approval: Secure permission from school administration and coordinate with teachers to avoid schedule clashes.
Select the location: Common areas like playgrounds, cafeterias, or courtyards work best. Make sure it’s safe and spacious.
2. Teaching the Song
Introduce the lyrics in class: Break down vocabulary, idioms, and grammar points. Use visuals or gestures to reinforce meaning.
Pronunciation drills: Practice tricky sounds and rhythm with clapping or chanting.
Repetition and engagement: Use karaoke videos, fill-in-the-blank exercises, or matching games to make learning fun.
3. Choreography & Practice
Keep it simple: Design easy dance moves or gestures that match the lyrics (pointing, clapping, or miming actions from the song).
Assign roles: Some students can sing or lip-sync, others can dance, hold props, or lead movements.
Practice in small groups: Work on confidence and coordination before bringing the whole group together.
Record rehearsals: Play them back so students can self-correct and improve.
4. Building Excitement
Element of surprise: Flash Mobs are fun because they’re unexpected. Plan to start with a few students and gradually add more until everyone joins.
Props and costumes: Simple matching items (hats, scarves, or signs with English words) make the performance more striking.
Connect to a theme: Tie the flashmob to an English holiday (Halloween, Valentine’s Day, etc.) or to a school event.
5. The Performance
Cue music discreetly: Start with one or two students singing or dancing, then let others “randomly” join in.
Encourage audience participation: Invite other students or teachers to clap, sing the chorus, or repeat a phrase.
Record the event: Create a short video that can be shared within the school community (with permissions).
6. Follow-Up in the Classroom
Reflection activity: Have students write about their experience in English (e.g., “My favorite part was…”).
Language reinforcement: Review the vocabulary and grammar from the song.
Cultural connection: Discuss the background of the song or artist, making the activity more authentic. We would love to broadcast your successes so if this has been done or you are willing to give it a go. Let us know.
The Jewish New Year is Just around the corner so I want to take the opportunity to wish all of you that are celebrating the New Year - A Happy New Year! May it be fruitful and educationally fulfilling.
Happy New Year
Thanks to Jacob Richman for links to activities for the Holidays
A list of songs on Youtube for Rosh Hashana
Guess the song 🎶🎤🎧📢
Each broadcast I will add a new Guess the Song picture. Some will be easy and some more difficult. Let’s see how well you do.
Click on the link to the Padlet
Unfortunately no-one guessed the answer so we will leave it for another week or so.
My happy corner - Smile of the week
I like to find shorts / reels that make me smile and just feel good.
The power of the crowd
Out of the mouths of babes
Descriptive Writing
Die with a smile
As promised - A Bohemian Rhapsody Surprise
Ndlovu Youth Choir - Bohemian Rhapsody (Official Music Video) isiZulu version
Computer Tools of the Week
Padlet and Suno
My suggestion- Ask pupils to upload pictures of themselves doing something strange as a picture or a video. Once the pictures are in padlet, create a song about these pictures in Suno. Make sure you write the prompts in a certain grammar style as it is a lovely way to teach grammar...through a catch song.
Here are two examples below
Susan is making a funny face,
Anna is reading in a quiet place.
Roi is standing with a proud salute,
Kamal is swimming in his brand-new suit!
It’s the Present Progressive, we’re doing it now, Am, is, are + verb-ing — that’s how!
It’s happening at this very time, So sing this grammar in a rhyme!
Sarah is silly, she's making a sound,
The children are jumping all around.
I am writing this groovy tune,
We are learning — Boom Boom Boom!
It’s the Present Progressive, we’re doing it now, Am, is, are + verb-ing — that’s how! Use “am” with I, “is” with he/she, “Are” for you/we/they — you see!
[Bridge] If it’s happening while you speak, Use the present prog — it’s what you seek! Are you dancing? Is she playing? We're all clapping, no delaying!
You are learning, yes, you are, They are running really far. I am clapping to this beat, English grammar can be sweet!
It’s the Present Progressive, we’re doing it now, Am, is, are + verb-ing — that’s how! It’s action happening right away, So use PP now — hooray, hooray!
Once the song is ready, add the downloaded pictures to a presentation and add the song as a backing track
Here is an example
Musical Joke of the Week
Breaking News:
A tour bus going to Elvis's Graceland mansion has crashed. No one was injured, but the passengers were all shook up.
And one more Bohemian Rhapsody Acapella
The Final Note:
Looking forward to eventually meeting you all one day F2F
PS.What do you call a guy without shins? Tony (toe-knee)
P.P.S. If you know of a colleague, friend, relative or parent that is not part of
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