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Post by junkdna on Apr 23, 2008 8:37:57 GMT 8
Does anyone have any song suggestions for sixth graders? We are learning our ABCs, writing practice, and a song. I thought, well, this is not something I normally do, so why not?
But I would like something the kids can sing.
Maybe Row Row Row Your Boat?
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Post by Otaku on Apr 23, 2008 9:35:19 GMT 8
This site has got some free songs you can download. He says he's had some pretty good success with him and he's an ALT: www.dreamenglish.com/
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Post by jed on Apr 25, 2008 13:50:08 GMT 8
I wouldn't advise songs for 6th graders I suppose it all depends on the students in question but from my 4 years experience I would not do it. Maybe once in a blue moon to mix things up?, but don't be surprised if it crashes and burns
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Post by junkdna on Apr 28, 2008 7:25:55 GMT 8
Well that was just it. To mix it up. I don't generally sing anything beyond Head Shoulders Knees and Toes with my 3rd graders. And actually the kids did QUITE WELL with ROW ROW ROW YOUR BOAT. I was shocked. They liked it.
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Post by jed on Apr 30, 2008 8:22:10 GMT 8
well, there you go, sometimes you just never know! sometimes, tried and tested lessons bomb and lessons you feel will bomb,... don't!
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Post by Otaku on Apr 30, 2008 8:44:13 GMT 8
Jed,
I kinda had the same conclusion as you about the higher levels of ES students and songs. I was traumatized the first time I taught a song to students higher than 4th graders. When I say it 'bombed', that is an understatement. I VOWED I would never do a song again for these levels.
A couple of years later and a lot more experience, I revisited the idea. The song actually went really well for all levels of ES. So why did it bomb the first time and successful the second time? I realized that a good teacher can practically take any lesson or idea and make it work for any class. The secret is drawing the students into it. You have to present it in a way that the students perceive the song to be fun. You need to be more crazy and excited about the song than the students ever will be. If you're not a song singing type of person, you will have a harder time trying to sell the song because students can usually pick up on your genuine desire to actually sing the song.
Once I realized that 4-6 graders are still kids and they like to have fun just like the next kid, it made my ES English karaoke classes go off without a hitch.
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Post by junkdna on Apr 30, 2008 10:48:02 GMT 8
oh, i agree with you guys. i dont think they will always work. kids are at a funny stage at that age.
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Post by jed on Apr 30, 2008 14:04:45 GMT 8
interesting point there Otaku (about how you teach the song) as a rule I rarely do songs in 5th grade and never do in 6th grade. I do some writing instead (esp towards the end of the year to help them with the 1st weeks in JHS)
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Post by Otaku on Apr 30, 2008 14:47:38 GMT 8
I rarely teach songs at the upper levels of ES, too. The reason I even revisited the song thing is because I wanted to push myself and test the limits of my teaching ability and see if I could make songs interesting for them. The result was great, but much like Jed, I rarely teach songs at this age; I just wanted to see if I could do it.
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Post by jed on May 1, 2008 9:10:02 GMT 8
LOL Thats an interesting reason! sounds like you were really bored
btw I know some teachers do songs in JHS so it can be done (in 6th grade) but as I said in my 1st post, in my experience, it really depends on the students in question. I have found that some schools just click with songs and some don't (same grade same town) so I think its a little bit more than just saying "6th grade" etc. As it may work for one class and bomb in the next.
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Post by Otaku on May 1, 2008 10:49:11 GMT 8
fair enough...
I guess all teaching comes down to is ESID...
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Post by jed on May 1, 2008 13:16:11 GMT 8
fair enough... I guess all teaching comes down to is ESID... whats that stand for? (forgive my ignorance)
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Post by Otaku on May 1, 2008 13:23:29 GMT 8
Every Situation Is Different
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Post by jed on May 1, 2008 15:52:14 GMT 8
oh, OK haruhodo
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