Monday, April 29, 2024

Turn Up the Fun! 5 Ways to Use Happy Songs in Your Classroom



Hey teachers! Looking for ways to bring more joy and engagement into your classroom? Look no further than the power of music! Happy songs, in particular, can be a fantastic tool to boost mood, reinforce learning, and create a positive learning environment. 


In this blog post, we'll explore five creative activities you can use with popular happy songs to get your students singing, moving, and learning:


**1.  Sing Along with a Twist: Gap Fill Exercises & Lyric Training Apps**


Take everyone's favorite happy hits and turn them into interactive learning experiences! Write out the lyrics with some blanks for key words or phrases. Students can then fill in the blanks while listening to the song, or you can use apps like Lyricstraining [Lyricstraining] where they compete to complete the lyrics first. This is a fun way to practice vocabulary, grammar, or even subject-specific terms in a catchy way.


**2. Unscramble the Fun: Putting the Lyrics in Order**


Challenge your students' problem-solving skills with a lyric jumble! Print out the lyrics to a happy song, but cut them up and mix them all around. Students can then work individually or in groups to unscramble the lyrics and put the song back in the correct order. This activity is a great way to reinforce listening comprehension and sequencing skills. 


**3.  Belt it Out: Classroom Karaoke Extravaganza!** 


Who doesn't love a good karaoke session?  Set up a classroom microphone (even a pretend one works!), choose a feel-good song like "Can't Stop the Feeling!" by Justin Timberlake, and let your students unleash their inner rockstars! This is a fantastic way to promote confidence, public speaking skills, and of course, pure enjoyment.


**4.  Move and Groove: Charades with a Musical Twist**


Charades is a classic game that gets everyone moving.  Take it up a notch by using song titles instead of words or phrases!  Act out the title to a happy song like "Hey Ya!" by Outkast and see if your students can guess it. This activity is a fun way to break the ice, encourage teamwork, and introduce students to new music.  


**5.  Happy Memories:  Creating a List of Joyful Moments**


End your happy song exploration on a reflective note.  Play a calming song or some relaxing background music and ask students to think about moments that make them happy.  On a large piece of paper or whiteboard, create a freeform list where students can contribute their happy moments.  This is a heartwarming activity that fosters a positive classroom atmosphere and reminds everyone of the good things in life. 

Here's a list with my favourite happy songs!

1. **"Happy" by Pharrell Williams**  This upbeat and catchy song is a guaranteed mood booster. The positive lyrics and infectious energy will have you and your students dancing in no time. 


2. **"Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey**  This classic rock anthem is all about perseverance and following your dreams. It's a great song to get students pumped up and inspired. 


3. **"Can't Stop the Feeling!" by Justin Timberlake**  This feel-good song from the Trolls movie is full of positive vibes. It's a great reminder to embrace happiness and let loose. 


4. **"Good Feeling" by Flo Rida**  This party anthem is sure to get everyone moving. The positive lyrics and catchy beat will have you and your students singing along in no time. 


5. **"Hey Ya!" by Outkast**  This upbeat and funky song is all about having a good time. The positive lyrics and catchy melody will have you and your students grooving in your seats. 

So there you have it, five creative ways and five songs to incorporate happy songs into your classroom routine!  By using these activities, you can create a more engaging and joyful learning environment for your students, all while reinforcing important skills.  Now get out there, turn up the music, and have some fun!


No comments:

Featured Post

Teaching online through Lockdown

Some months ago, when I wrote a blog on online Teaching for iTDi , I could never imagine that the teaching world would turn digital overn...