SONGS, RHYMES AND CHANTS

A VEHICLE TOWARDS LEARNING A LANGUAGE AND ITS

CULTURE
REBECCA ALLABY

A aprendizaxe da lingua estranxeira e a sua cultura a través das cancións e

rimas: experiencias de aula.
SONGS, RHYMES AND CHANTS

Children love songs, rhymes and chants and their repetitive nature and rhythm
make them an ideal vehicle for language learning. They are a flexible resource to
the teacher. There are plenty to choose from, can be used with a variety of age
groups at different stages in their language learning, can integrate with cross-
curricular work, topics and stories and can complement and supplement other
resources. We may consider them:

A linguistic resource

 They allow new language to be introduced and structures and vocabulary to

be reinforced and recycled.
 They present familiar language in new and exciting forms and in a rich,
imaginative context.
 They provide for lots of natural and enjoyable repetition.
 They can be used to develop all skills in an integrated way.
 They help improve all aspects of pronunciation.

A psychological/ affective resource

 They are motivating and fun and help develop positive attitudes towards the
target language.
 They are non-threatening and the more inhibited chid will feel secure when
singing and chanting as a class or in groups.
 They can encourage a feeling of achievement and build children‟s confidence
by allowing children to learn chunks of language which they can „show off‟ or
teach to friends or to members of the family.

A cognitive resource

 They help to develop concentration, memory and coordination.

 They sensitize children to rhyming clues as aids to meaning.
 Repetition enables children to predict what comes next and to consolidate
language items.
 Accompanying actions or gestures help to reinforce meaning, while
channelling high levels of energy in a positive way.
 The variety they provide changes the pace and atmosphere of a lesson and
caters for different learning styles.
 They can be compiled into song/rhyme books to help children develop good
study habits.

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A cultural resource

 They are from authentic sources and can contribute to the cultural
component of a language programme. Children can be encouraged to compare
with those in their own language.

A social resource

 Singing and chanting together is a shared social experience and helps to

develop a class and group identity.
 They can be used as the basis for a performance or show.

PRONUNCIATION BENEFITS OF USING SONGS, RHYMES AND CHANTS

Songs, rhymes and chants are particularly useful for practising pronunciation. This
includes individual sounds and sounds in connected speech but, more importantly,
features relating to stress, rhythm and intonation. Encouraging children to clap the
beat as they go along or say rhymes will help to develop a sense of rhythm in
English.

WHEN AND HOW TO USE SONGS, RHYMES AND CHANTS

Songs, rhymes and chants can be used in many different ways: as warmers, as a
transition from one activity to the next, closers, to introduce new language, to
practise language, to revise language, to get everyone‟s attention, to channel high
levels of energy or to integrate with storytelling, topic work or cross-curricular
work.
Here is a framework for using songs, rhymes and chants. It may not be necessary
or appropriate to use each stage:

 Set the context (explain purpose, background information)

 Pre-teach any necessary vocabulary using visual aids, actions, realia, puppets,
focus questions, etc.
 Listen to, sing or chant to allow children to listen, show understanding,
familiarize themselves with the rhythm, tune, etc.
 Do further listening activity.
 Work on pronunciation awareness, for example, identifying intonation
patterns, stressed words or syllables, etc.
 Invite children to listen, repeat and practise by joining in and learning to
sing or chant. Encourage children to use actions, mime, drama, etc. Practise
several times.

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  Give a written record of text: children can adapt or write their own version;
listen and complete a simple gap fill; listen and sequence (children scan
written phrases and put them in order); listen and sort (children have the
words from two words mixed together and, as they listen, they sort out the
lines into two groups); match pictures and lines, illustrate verses, make
collages to contextualize, etc.
 Encourage children to compare with a similar type in their own language.
 Present or perform as a whole class, in groups, in rounds, in pairs, or if there
is a question and answer sequence in a song.
 Finally, children might like to make a class book or their own individual book
of favourite songs and rhymes.

A RECORD FOR ANALYSING SONGS, RHYMES AND CHANTS

To develop a wide range of songs, rhymes and chants that are suitable for the age
group(s) you teach and the context in which you work, you may like to build up a
record that will help you analyse the full potential of each song, rhyme and chant
and see best how you may integrate it into your syllabus.

Title Language Cultural, Suitable age Comments

focus curriculum, group
topic or story
links
Head, Parts of the Drama 5-10 years old Flexible: is
shoulders, body Physical enjoyed by
knees and toes Conjunctions education most children,
can make it
more
challenging by
speeding up
and leaving out
words.

SONGS, NURSERY RHYMES AND CHANTS

A SAILOR WENT TO SEA,SEA,SEA

A sailor went to sea, sea, sea,
to see what he could see, see, see,
and all that he could see, see, see,
was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea

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BAA, BAA, BLACK SHEEP
Baa, baa, black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full.
One for the master, one for the dame,
and one for the little boy who lives down the lane.

B-I-N-G-O!
There was a farmer who had a dog, and Bingo was his name-o.
B-I-N-G-O! B-I-N-G-O! B-I-N-G-O!
And Bingo was his name-o!
There was a farmer who had a dog, and Bingo was his name-o.
(Clap)-I-N-G-O! (Clap)-I-N-G-O! (Clap)-I-N-G-O!
And Bingo was his name-o!
There was a farmer who had a dog, and Bingo was his name-o.
(Clap, clap)-N-G-O! (Clap, clap)-N-G-O! (Clap, clap)-N-G-O!
And Bingo was his name-o!
There was a farmer who had a dog, and Bingo was his name-o.
(Clap, clap, clap)-G-O! (Clap, clap, clap)-G-O! (Clap, clap, clap)-G-O!
And Bingo was his name-o!
There was a farmer who had a dog, and Bingo was his name-o.
(Clap, clap, clap, clap)-O! (Clap, clap, clap, clap)-O! (Clap, clap, clap, clap)-O!
And Bingo was his name-o!
There was a farmer who had a dog, and Bingo was his name-o.
(Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap) (Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap) (Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)
And Bingo was his name-o!
(Variety: clap, pat your legs, pat your tummy, pat your head, jump)

EENY MEENY MINY MOE

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe,
Catch a tiger by his toe.
If he hollers let him go,
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe

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FIVE LITTLE PIGS
This little piggy went to market.
This little piggy stayed at home.
This little piggy had roast beef.
This little piggy had none.
This little piggy cried "Wee, wee, wee, wee!"
All the way home.

HERE WE GO ROUND THE MULBERRY BUSH

Here we go 'round the mulberry bush, the mulberry bush, the mulberry bush.
Here we go 'round the mulberry bush, so early in the morning.
These are the chores we'll do this week, do this week, do this week.
These are the chores we'll do this week, so early every morning.
This is the way we wash our clothes, wash our clothes, wash our clothes.
This is the way we wash our clothes, so early Monday morning.
This is the way we iron our clothes, iron our clothes, iron our clothes.
This is the way we iron our clothes, so early Tuesday morning.
This is the way we scrub the floor, scrub the floor, scrub the floor.
This is the way we scrub the floor, so early Wednesday morning.
This is the way we mend our clothes, mend our clothes, mend our clothes.
This is the way we mend our clothes, so early Thursday morning.
This is the way we sweep the floor, sweep the floor, sweep the floor.
This is the way we sweep the floor, so early Friday morning.
This is the way we bake our bread, bake our bread ,bake our bread.
This is the way we bake our bread, so early Saturday morning.
This is the way we get dressed up, get dressed up, get dressed up.
This is the way we get dressed up, so early Sunday morning.
Here we go 'round the mulberry bush, the mulberry bush, the mulberry bush.
Here we go 'round the mulberry bush, so early in the morning.

HEY DIDDLE,DIDDLE
Hey diddle diddle,
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon,
The little dog laughed to see such fun,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.

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HICKORY, DICKORY, DOCK!
Hickory, dickory, dock!
The mouse ran up the clock;
The clock struck one,
The mouse ran down,
Hickory, dickory, dock! (tick tock)

HOKEY-POKEY
You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out; in, out, in, out
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey, and you turn around. That's what it's all about!
Oh, oh, the hokey-pokey, X3
Knees bend, arms stretch, 1,2,3.
You put your left foot in, you put your left foot out; in, out, in, out
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey, and you turn around. That's what it's all about!
Oh, oh, the hokey-pokey, X3
Knees bend, arms stretch, 1,2,3.
You put your right hand in, you put your right hand out; in, out, in, out
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey, and you turn around. That's what it's all about!
Oh, oh, the hokey-pokey, X3
Knees bend, arms stretch, 1,2,3.
You put your left hand in, you put your left hand out; in, out, in, out
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey, and you turn around. That's what it's all about!
Oh, oh, the hokey-pokey, X3
Knees bend, arms stretch, 1,2,3.
(tummy in, head in, body in …)

HUMPTY DUMPTY
Humpty dumpty sat on a wall
Humpty dumpty had a great fall
All the King's horses and all the King's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again

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IF YOU´RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap) X2
If you're happy and you know it, and you really want to show it
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap clap)
If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet (stomp stomp) X2
If you're happy and you know it, and you really want to show it
If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet. (stomp stomp)
If you're happy and you know it, shout "Hurray!" (hoo-ray!) X2
If you're happy and you know it, and you really want to show it
If you're happy and you know it, shout "Hurray!" (hoo-ray!)
If you're happy and you know it, do all three (clap-clap, stomp-stomp, hoo-ray!) X2
If you're happy and you know it, and you really want to show it
If you're happy and you know it, do all three. (clap-clap, stomp-stomp, hoo-ray!)

I´M A LITTLE TEA POT

I'm a little teapot, short and stout
Here is my handle (one hand on hip), here is my spout (other arm out straight)
When I get all steamed up, hear me shout
Just tip me over and pour me out!
(As song ends, lean over and tip arm out like a spout.)

IT´S RAINING, IT´S POURING

It's raining, it's pouring; the old man is snoring.
He went to bed and he bumped his head
And he couldn't get up in the morning.

THE EENSY WEENSY SPIDER

The eensy weensy spider crawled up the water spout
Down came the rain and washed the spider out
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain
And the eensy weensy spider crawled up the spout again.

JACK AND JILL WENT UP THE HILL

Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down and broke his crown
And Jill came tumbling after.

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Up got Jack, and home did trot as fast as he could caper
He went to bed and bound his head
With vinegar and brown paper.

KNICK KNACK PADDY WHACK

This old man, he played one, he played knick knack on my thumb,
With a Knick, knack, paddy whack, give the dog a bone;
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played two, he played knick knack on my shoe,
With a Knick, knack, paddy whack, give the dog a bone;
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played three, he played knick knack on my knee,
With a Knick, knack, paddy whack, give the dog a bone;
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played four, he played knick knack on my door,
With a Knick, knack, paddy whack, give the dog a bone;
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played five, he played knick knack on my hive,
With a Knick, knack, paddy whack, give the dog a bone;
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played six, he played knick knack on my stick,
With a Knick, knack, paddy whack, give the dog a bone;
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played seven, he played knick knack up in heaven,
With a Knick, knack, paddy whack, give the dog a bone;
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played eight, he played knick knack on my gate,
With a Knick, knack, paddy whack, give the dog a bone;
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played nine, he played knick knack on my spine,
With a Knick, knack, paddy whack, give the dog a bone;
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played ten, he played knick knack once again,
With a Knick, knack, paddy whack, give the dog a bone;
This old man came rolling home.

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LITTLE MISS MUFFET
Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet
Eating her curds and whey,
Along came a spider,
Who sat down beside her
And frightened Miss Muffet away.

OLD MACDONALD HAD A FARM, E-I-E-I-O

Old Macdonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O
And on his farm he had a cow, E-I-E-I-O
With a "moo-moo" here, and a "moo-moo" there
Here a "moo", there a "moo", everywhere a "moo-moo"
Old Macdonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O
Old Macdonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O
And on his farm he had a pig, E-I-E-I-O
With an “oink-oink” here and an “oink-oink” there
Here an “oink”, there an “oink”, everywhere an “oink-oink”
With a "moo-moo" here and a "moo-moo" there
Here a "moo" there a "moo", everywhere a "moo-moo"
Old Macdonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O
Old Macdonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O
And on his farm he had a horse, E-I-E-I-O
With a "neigh, neigh" here and a "neigh, neigh" there
Here a "neigh" there a "neigh", everywhere a "neigh-neigh"...
Everywhere a "moo-moo"
Old Macdonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O
OLD MOTHER HUBBARD
Old Mother Hubbard went to her cupboard,

To fetch her poor dog a bone.
But when she got there, the cupboard was bare,
and so the poor dog had none.

ONE, TWO, BUCKLE MY SHOE

One, two, buckle my shoe
Three, four, knock at the door
Five, six, pick up sticks
Seven, eight, lay them straight
Nine, ten, a big fat hen.

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ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE
One, two, three, four, five,
Once I caught a fish alive
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten
Then I let it go again
Why did you let it go?
Because it bit my finger so
Which finger did it bite?
This little finger on the right

PAT A CAKE
Pat a cake, pat a cake, baker's man
Bake me a cake as fast as you can;
Pat it and prick it and mark it with a 'B',
And put it in the oven for Baby and me.

POLLY PUT THE KETTLE ON

Polly put the kettle on, X3
We'll all have tea
Sukey take it off again, X3
They´ve all gone away

SING A RAINBOW
Red and yellow and pink and green, purple and orange and blue
I can sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow too!

THERE WAS A CROOKED MAN

There was a crooked man,
And he walked a crooked mile,
He found a crooked sixpence
Upon a crooked stile:
He bought a crooked cat,
Which caught a crooked mouse,
And they all lived together
In a little crooked house.

THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN WHO LIVED IN A SHOE

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe,
She had so many children she didn't know what to do!
So she gave them some broth without any bread,
And she whipped them all soundly and sent them to bed!

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THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY
There was an old lady who swallowed a fly.
I don´t know why she swallowed that fly - Perhaps she'll die.
There was an old lady who swallowed a spider,
That wiggled and wiggled and tickled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
But I don´t know why she swallowed that fly - Perhaps she'll die.
There was an old lady who swallowed a bird;
How absurd, to swallow a bird!
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider…
There was an old lady who swallowed a cat.
Imagine that, she swallowed a cat.
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird ...
There was an old lady who swallowed a dog.
What a hog! To swallow a dog!
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat...
There was an old lady who swallowed a goat.
Just opened her throat and swallowed a goat!
She swallowed the goat to catch the dog ...
There was an old lady who swallowed a cow.
I don't know how she swallowed a cow!
She swallowed the cow to catch the goat...
There was an old lady who swallowed a horse -
She's dead, of course.

ROW,ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT

Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.

SING A SONG OF SIXPENCE

Sing a song of sixpence, a pocket full of rye,
Four-and-twenty blackbirds baked in a pie,
When the pie was opened, the birds began to sing.
Wasn't that a dainty dish to set before a king?
The king was in the counting house, counting out his money,

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The queen was in the parlor, eating bread and honey,
The maid was in the garden, hanging out the clothes,
When along came a blackbird, and pecked off her nose!

10 LITTLE MONKEYS JUMPING ON A BED

10 Little monkeys jumping on a bed,
one jumped up and bumped his head,
Momma called the Doctor and the doctor said
........"no more monkeys jumping on the bed."
1 Little monkey jumping on a bed,
he jumped up and bumped his head.
Momma called the Doctor and the Doctor said
....."no more monkeys jumping on a bed."

THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN

The bear went over the mountain, the bear went over the mountain
The bear went over the mountain, to see what he could see.
And all that he could see, and all that he could see
Was the other side of the mountain, the other side of the mountain
The other side of the mountain, was all that he could see.
TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STAR
Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are!

THE WHEELS ON THE BUS GO ROUND AND ROUND

The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round.
The wheels on the bus go round and round, all through the town.
The wipers on the bus go Swish, swish, swish… all through the town.
The horn on the bus goes Beep, beep, beep … all through the town..
The money on the bus goes, Clink, clink,clink … all through the town.
The Driver on the bus says "Move on back"… all through the town.
The baby on the bus says "Wah, wah, wah"…all through the town.
The mommy on the bus says "Shush, shush, shush"… all through the town.

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TOMMY THUMB
Tommy Thumb, Tommy Thumb 
Where are you? 

Here I am, here I am 
How do you do? 

Peter Pointer, Peter Pointer 
Where are you? 

Here I am, here I am 
How do you do? 

Toby Tall, Toby Tall 
Where are you? 

Here I am, here I am 
How do you do? 

Ruby Ring, Ruby Ring 
Where are you? 

Here I am, here I am 
How do you do? 

Baby Small, Baby Small 
Where are you? 

Here I am, here I am 
How do you do?
Fingers all, Fingers all 
Where are you? 

Here we are, here we are 
How do you do?

BIBLIOGRAPHY
 Brewster J. & Ellis G. with Girard D. 2003. The Primary English Teacher´s
Guide, Penguin English Guides.
 Paul D. 1996. Songs and games for children, Oxford: Macmillan Heinemann.
 www.dltk-kids.com
 www.bussongs.com
 www.supersimplelearning.com

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