I have to admit that I still hear my elementary school teacher’s song in my head when I try to remember which months have 30 days. And who doesn’t sing do-re-mi (with apologies to Julie Andrews)? I teach days of the week and months of the year with songs. When one of my word finders has a particular group of words that are difficult to retrieve, my “go-to” is to make up a song.
Days of the week fit into the ABC song/Twinkle Twinkle Little Star very smoothly. Frere Jacques segues into to the months of the year if you repeat March, April, May; March, April, May for “dormez-vous?” Just repeat November, December; November, December at the end of the verse (ding, dong, ding; ding dong ding). If you can’t bring yourself to sing, use the rhyme and rhythm of a poem to support memory and retrieval. Older kids love to learn American history by rapping to “Hamilton.” Just be sure to point out where the musical deviates from documented history! Need to recall the names of all 50 states? Just sing, “Fifty Nifty.”
Is this a word retrieval activity or a memory activity? I really don’t care. I know there is a lot of research demonstrating that music supports memory, and I know that I can recall lyrics from songs I haven’t heard in decades. Add a dance or gestures, and get more senses involved!
Have a favorite concept or lesson you’ve taught with a song? Send me an email, and I’ll share your ideas.
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