Melanie Mursau, M.S., CCC-SLP Bonduel Elementary School Using Music and Rhythm to Improve Vocabulary.

Melanie Mursau, M.S., CCC-SLPBonduel Elementary School

Using Music and Rhythm to Improve Vocabulary

• From Interactive Metronome University:

The Importance of Rhythm and Timing for Language and Learning

The Importance of Rhythm and Timing for Language and Learning Continued

The Importance of Rhythm and Timing for Language and Learning Continued

How to Use Music and Rhythm In Vocabulary Development in the classroom• Use your favorite radio songs!

• Whole class activity on the Smart Board (you tube version with lyrics)

• Have the class clap along to the rhythm • Use midline crossing motions (tap right hand on left shoulder to the beat while the

song is playing. Then cue to switch sides)• Children can read along to the music. (Hearing the songs over and over will

allow them to auditorily memorize the songs. They then SEE the words they already know are coming to improve reading skills)

• Use songs the children already know the words to…you’d be surprised how many know all the words to the Pop songs on the radio!

How to Use Music and Rhythm In Vocabulary Development in the classroom• Use Parodies

• Kids already know the melody and have a good feel for the tempo for songs they are familiar with. Use YouTube to find educational parodies

(Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop”)

• Use the same song over and over• This will allow for multiple opportunities to practice the same tempo to help

improve rhythm and timing• Children will memorize they lyrics and begin to feel how the words are placed

in the rhythm of the song

How to Use Music and Rhythm In Vocabulary Development in the classroom• Use You Tube to find songs related to classroom content• Examples:

• Science vocabulary words• Math vocabulary words and concepts• Phonemic awareness• Synonyms and Antonyms• Sight Words• Social Studies• Grammar parts• Social stories• ACT/SAT/Grade Level vocabulary words• Possibilities are endless…

Song Examples

• Science Vocabulary Words

• Atoms

• Periodic Table

• Matter

Song Examples

• Math Vocabulary and Concepts

• Order of Operations

• Multiplication

• Variables

• Subtraction

• Count by 5s

Song Examples

• Phonics and Phonemic Awareness

• Magic E

• Rhyming

• Letter names/sounds

• Alphabet

Song Examples

• Synonyms and Antonyms/Figurative Language

• Synonym Symphony

• Synonyms, Antonyms, Homonyms

• Figurative Language

Song Examples

• Sight Words

• Sight Words

• More sight words

Song Examples

• Social Studies

• People in Our Community

• The 3 Government Branches Rap

Song Examples

• Grammar Parts

• Parts of Speech

• Commas

• Pronouns

• Past tense verbs

Song Examples

• Social Skills

• Bullying

• Respect

Song Examples

• Vocabulary Words

• SAT Vocabulary Words

• SAT Words to Frozen’s Let it Go

• 4th Grade Vocabulary Words

To sum it up…

• Research shows that strong rhythm skills and learning are inseparable

• Encourage tapping and clapping to songs in your classroom

• Repeat the songs several times to give the kids a chance to really internalize the song.

• Use lyrics on screen when to can to incorporate reading with the rhythm

• And finally….

HAVE FUN WITH IT!!!!

Let’s get clapping….!