Struggling to keep older students motivated in speech? Β Use song lyrics! Β I will show you how!
You know those students, they are so challenging! Β Nothing motivates them! Β They give you an attitude each time they come to speech. Β They are the ones saying “Why am I here?” or “This is so boring.” Β Trust me, I have those students and I have heard those comments! Β I had to be creative and find a way to keep them motivated. Β I decided to use their interests to guide my therapy sessions. Β They are interested in music and spend their free time listening to music or watching music videos on You Tube? Β Done! Β Let's use it!
Articulation:
Students can practice their articulation goals while reading/singing popular songs. Β They can practice their sounds before singing to make sure they are ready and prepared.
Vocabulary:
Are there difficult words in the lyrics? Β Have them use their context clues or their knowledge of what the song is about to determine the meaning. Β Is the musician happy or sad in this song? Β Use those emotions to help determine the meanings of the words. Β Are there multiple meaning words? Β Figurative language?
Inferencing:
What is the musician trying to express? Β What is it all about? Β How do they feel? Β Can your students use their evidence from the song lyrics to answer higher level questions?
Social Skills:
How is the musician feeling? Β What is the musicians perspective? Β How would the person feel that they are singing about? Β You can use song lyrics to elicit a conversation about the scenario.
So many goals…where do I begin?!
Think of songs that are popular but clean and appropriate for school. Β Just Google any song. Β I like to use Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran but always preview the songs!
Want to learn more about this idea? Β View my video from my Facebook Live below!