Silent e Song: Idea #308

Looking for ways to help your student master those tricky silent e words? Try teaching them the Silent e Song that I found here. The song goes to the tune of For He's A Jolly Good Fellow. Try it out:

The e jumps over the consonant
The e jumps over the consonant
The e jumps over the consonant

To let the vowel say its name!

If you want to print a large poster of the song, go here. I hope your student enjoys this useful reading tip!

The ABC Song: Idea #259

Looking for fun ways to practice sight words? Try singing some of those sight words to the tune of The ABC's. I found the clever idea on this website. Here is what you do:

1. Choose 26 sight words you would like your student to practice reading.

2. Write each sight word neatly on a separate index card. Then place the cards in a pocket chart. You could also put magnets on the back of the index cards and hang them up on the white board.

3. Get out your favorite pointer stick to help lead the students in the song. Point to each word as you all sing it to the tune of The ABC's.

4. If your students really enjoy singing their sight words, you might try reading the words to another tune like BINGO or Row, Row, Row Your Boat.

Have fun making music!

Musical Chairs: Idea #222

Do you remember playing musical chairs as a kid? Pretty intense game, huh? Did you know there is a way to play sight word musical chairs? You play the game just like normal musical chairs but you tape a sight word to the back of each chair. When the music stops, the student must read the sight word on the back of their chair or they are out of the game. The last student sitting at the end wins the game. To find more detailed instructions for playing this game check out this website. Have fun playing!

'The Word on the Bus' Song: Idea #201

A couple days ago I wrote about the 'B-I-N-G-O Sight Word Song', so today I would like to introduce another sight word song that could help motivate your child to read. Try singing the song below to the tune of 'The Wheels on the Bus'. 

The word on the bus says 

can, can, can,

can, can, can,

can, can, can.

The word on the bus says

can, can, can,

All through the town!

-Lyrics found here

Try printing the lyrics on a large laminated bus poster. Put a blank space where I inserted the word can so that you can change the word. Check it out here. Have fun singing!

'B-I-N-G-O' Sight Word Song: Idea #199

Why not try practicing those tough sight words by putting them to music? Try singing the following song with your student to the tune of 'B-I-N-G-O':
 

There was a sight word I wanted to spell and can was my sight word.

C-A-N (clap with each letter) spells can, 

C-A-N (clap with each letter) spells can,

C-A-N (clap with each letter) spells can,

and can was my sight word!

-Lyrics found here

Obviously you can sing this song using any of the sight words you are practicing. The best part about this song is that it gets stick in your head, so your student will know how to spell and identify those sight words so well!

Sight Word Piano Keys: Idea #147

Trying to think of fun ways to help your student learn sight words? How about putting the sight words to music? It is simple to do. Get out your keyboard that has been picking up dust in your closet and write a sight word on each key (I wrote the words on scotch tape so I wasn't actually writing on the keys). Then turn the keyboard on, call out a sight word, and have your student play the key with that word on it. Your student will LOVE making music! 

Sight Word Songs: Idea #134

If your student enjoys music, use songs to help your student memorize sight words. Here is a list of some fun sight word songs:

1. Rock 'N Learn- You can check out the sample clip to find out what these songs are like. They are modern sounding and the sight words show up on the screen.

2. SchoolTube.com- Fun catchy songs that teach your student how to spell different sight words.

3. A Monkey- Fun sight word song and video that has the sight words typed at the top so student can read along.

4. Have Fun Teaching- Fun songs to teach your student what sight words sound like and how they are spelled.

5. Silly Songs for Sight Words- These songs are put to tunes that we are familiar with and have all of the lyrics written out.

6. YouTube- Fun ways to sing the spelling of sight words.
 
I hope I have given you some ideas. If not, type in 'Sight word songs' on YouTube and see what you get. Have fun!

WARNING- These songs get stuck in your head!!

Sing-Along Songs: Idea #103

Sing-Along movies can help your student identify new words. Sing-Along movies are typically made for kids to learn certain songs. I like them because when your child is supposed to be singing a particular word, the word lights up on the screen. This helps your child make the connection of how the word looks to how it sounds. 

Kids love to watch movies over and over again. This repetition could really come in handy for learning words. Plus, they get to learn some fun songs. 

Check out Disney's Sing Along Songs here: http://www.youtube.com/user/DisneySingAlongSongs. After your child has learned a few songs, maybe you could reward them with a karaoke night. How fun!

Dr. Jean: Idea #19

Music is a great way to help kids learn their letter sounds. It seems like once children have learned an educational song, the information sticks. Just like when kids learn their ABC's. 

One of my favorite educational musicians is Dr. Jean. She has tons of great cds out there to help kids learn. 
Listen to this song that she sings about letter sounds: Alphardy.

If you think that song is helpful, you should check out her website at: http://www.drjean.org/. She writes and sings songs including: starting school, friendship, counting, and even the weather. 

All of her music is easy to learn and is written especially for young ages. When I was a teacher I used her music to help my students get their wiggles out. The best part was they were learning while they were moving! 

If you don't have the money to buy one of her cds, check out her music on her website, or on youtube. I hope you find some useful songs.