Supporting English Language Learners With Songs

“There was an old lady who swallowed a fly. I don’t know why she swallowed a fly. Perhaps she’ll die”, is what my kindergarten students hear within the first ten minutes of being introduced to me and their school library. Everyone loves a song! I use this song in particular because it exposes my students to new vocabulary, reinforces grammar structures, and it’s the perfect story to teach retelling and sequencing. There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Simms Taback continues to be a favorite of all of my students. It’s the book and song that connects us to each other and to books. Singing to and with students builds the positive learning environment that students need in order to thrive academically and socially.

Here are a few of my favorite songs to sing with early elementary students (also available in book form):

• We’re Going On a Bear Hunt
• Itsy Bitsy Spider
• B-I-N-G-O
• Old MacDonald Had a Farm
• Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
• If You’re Happy and You Know It Clap Your Hands
• 10 Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed
• Where is Thumbkin
• I’m A Little Teapot
• One,Two, Buckle My Shoe
• EVERY Schoolhouse Rock song ever made…especially “Three is a Magic Number”, “Number Nine” (I really get into this one), “Conjunction Junction”, and “Rufus Xavier Sarsaparilla” (Yes, I really sing ALL of the lyrics. The kids get a huge kick out of it).

Keisa Williams (aka Ms. K) is a K-5 School Librarian at Monarch Academy, a public charter school in Oakland, CA. She is certified in secondary and elementary education (MLIS and MEd) and loves collaborating with teachers and integrating technology into her library lessons. She considers herself a “Technology Diva” and “Gadget Junkie”.

One Comment

• judie haynes says:

  September 28, 2010 at 9:45 am

  Your blog brings back memories of when I taught Kindergarten English language learners. (ELLs)

  I used to love teaching “There was an old lady” to my kindergarten ELLs. I had a doll with all the animals and students could put them in her mouth as the song was sung. I have also written several of my own versions of Old Mac Donald so that I can teach different vocabulary. One favorite was “Old Mac Donald Had a Pond” that I used to teach about animals that lived in or near ponds.