Songs in the English Classroom

Philip Bosch

3 ILSO B

Songs in the English classroom

English Extra 2004-2005

List of the songs:

1. What’s your sign?Des’Ree

 Subject: The Horoscope (3rd year)

You can use this song in order to train the different signs of the Zodiac!

You can use this for your initial stage or use it as a test.

2. Cha Cha slideDJ Casper

 Subject: The Imperative (2nd year)

In this song there are a lot of examples of the imperative.

The pupils find out when to use the imperative and how to form it themselves!

3. Don’t know whyNora Jones

 Subject: Past simple Tense (3rd year)

I would use this song as a revision exercise for the Past Simple.

I think the lyrics are too difficult for a 2nd year (where they study the Simple Past).

You could use this song in order to freshen up the Simple past in the third year.

4. Drive my carThe Beatles

 Subject: Difference between direct and indirect speech. (3rd year – 4th year)

You could use this song as a revision of the use of direct and indirect speech.

You can also let the pupils look up some information about The Beatles. They can prepare this at home.

5. Tom’s DinerSuzanne Vega

 Subject: Present Continuous Tense (2nd year)

This is a really great song to teach your pupils the Present Continuous.

With the help of the song they are able to find out how to form the Present Continuous.

You can compare this tense with the Simple Present.

6. The BestTina Turner

 Subject: Making comparatives and superlatives (2nd year – 3rd year)

 You can use this song to illustrate the difference between good – better – best.

You can also give some other examples and introduce the names ‘comparative’ and ‘superlative’.

1. What's Your Sign?Des’Ree

1. Fill in the missing words!

What's your sign?

Do you know?

Let me guess

You're ______

What's your rising?

Where's your moon?

Scorpios are pretty ______

See I'm a sag!

So they say

I'm a ______

I like to play.

I'm always aiming into the sky

I point my ______extremely high!

[Chorus]

'Cause everyone has a sign

Whether ______or divine!

Believe or not if you’re so inclined

'Cause in this great big universe

We're the stars on ______.

See the man, over there

He's a ______, Check his head

Virgo eyes in his smile

I like the Leo

I check his style

When the night's good and clear

I hear a ______in my ear.

If you follow the northern star

You will always know just where you are

[Chorus]

We are stars (3x)

'Cause in this great big universe

We're the stars on earth

Let me guess

I dunno, I do ______

What's your rising

Where's your ______

I dunno, but you're still cool

[Chorus]

We are stars (4x)

'Cause in this great big universe

We're the stars on earth

Yeah, We're the stars on earth (2x)

'Cause in this great big universe

We're the stars on earth

You believe me (4x)

2. Try to find the words in the song! Use them in a good sentence!

G I M A I N ______

Sentence: ______

N I U R E V E S ______

Sentence: ______

R A E H T ______

Sentence: ______

A T R L A U N U P R E S ______

Sentence: ______

3. Match the sign with the correct English word!

1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6.

a. Pisces – b. Capricorn – c. Leo – d. Libra – e. Sagittarius – f. Gemini

1. / 2. / 3. / 4. / 5. / 6.

4. Imagine you’re a writer. It’s your job to write a horoscope for a magazine! Choose a sign and write a short text for this sign. The subjects are school, love, family and friends. (+/- 6 lines)

______

2. Cha Cha SlideDJ Casper

1. Who is DJ Casper? Read the following interview and answer the questions!

1. What’s your real name?

My real name is Willie Perry. But when I was seven, everyone started to call me Casper. I think it was my mother, who first gave me that name!

2. Where were you born?

Chicago, Illinois.

3. When did you come up with the idea of the Cha Cha slide?

That was in 1996. My personal trainer created a slide dance for me! The dance became a popular aerobic exercise at fitness clubs. And four years later I was approached by Chicago’s WGCI radio station! They asked me to record a song to showcase the dance!

4. And then it immediately became a hit?

No, not immediately! But then Universal picked up the song for national distribution! The rest is history of course!

5. Why is the ‘Cha Cha slide’ such a big hit?

Because of the great moves and the lyrics aren’t that difficult! You just can’t get this song out of your head! It’s irritating isn’t it?

It certainly is! Thank you DJ Casper for this nice interview!

A. Can you indicate the state of Illinois and Chicago on this blank map of the USA?

B. True/False? DJ Casper came up with the idea of the Cha Cha Slide!

Explain your choice briefly!

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

C. Use the following words in a good English sentence!

To approach

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Distribution

2. Try to complete the lyrics!

______your hands everybody
______to the left
take it back now yal
One hop this time
Right foot let’s stomp
Left foot let’s stomp
Cha Cha now yal
To the left
______it back now yal
Two hops this time
Two on the left
Two on the right
Cha Cha now yal
Slide to the right
Slide to the left
______Take it back now yal
One hop this time
Right foot let’s stomp
Left foot let’s stomp
Charlie Brown
Cha Cha now yal
Five hops this time
______your knees
how low can you go
can go down low
All the way to ______

Can you bring it the top
like you never never stop
One hop this time
Right foot let’s stomp
Left let’s stomp
Reverse Reverse
Reverse Reverse

3. DJ Casper uses the imperative a lot! He tells us what we have to do! Can you complete this grid with examples from the song? Also try to write the negative form of these verbs!

How do we tell people to do something? / How do we tell people not to do something?
______to the right!
______it back now yal!
______your knees!
______your hands everybody! / ______to the right!
______it back now yal!
______your knees!
______your hands everybody!

4. Make negative imperative sentences!

Use the verbs: to walk – to get – to tell – to leave – to laugh

…………………………………at old people!

…………………………………on my nerves!

………………………………… so quickly!

………………………………… me lies!

………………………………… him alone!

Don’t know why …Nora Jones

1. Fill in the blanks with the past simple tense of the verbs in brackets, then listen to the song and check your answers.

I ______'til I saw the sun (wait)
I don't know why I ______(not come)
I left you by the house of fun
I don't know why I ______(not come)
I don't know why I ______(not come)

When I ______the break of day (see)
I ______that I could fly away (wish)
Instead of kneeling in the sand
Catching teardrops in my hand

2. Listen to the second part of the song and match the phrases.

1. My heart is / a. in ecstasy
2. But you'll be / b. as a drum
3. Out across / c. on my mind, Forever
4. I would die / d. the road along
5. But I'll be / e. the endless sea
6. Driving down / f. to make you run
7. Something has / g. drenched in wine
8. I feel as empty / h. a bag of bones
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

3. Complete the grid with the words in the box according to the vowel sounds.

run, drum, sand, come, sun, bone, hand, along, fun

4a. Do you like the song? Why/ why not?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4b. What is the song about as to you?

5. Try to complete the sentences! Use the past simple tense. Try to be creative!

Ex. I don’t know why I didn’t study for that test!

I don’t know why I ………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

I don’t know why I ………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

I don’t know why I ………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. Drive my carThe Beatles

A. About The Beatles …

Use the Internet in order to answer the following questions!

Can you name the four members of the Beatles?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

When and where was the band originally founded?

Which of the following songs aren’t theirs?

Underline them!

Let it be

Roll over Beethoven

Satisfaction

Help!

Candle in the wind

Yellow Submarine

God save the Queen!

B. About the song …

1. Listen to the song and fill in the missing words!

Asked a girl what she wanted to be

She said baby, can't you ______

I wanna be famous, a star on the ______

But you can do something in between.

Baby you can drive my car

Yes I'm gonna be a star

Baby you can drive my car

And baby I love you.

I told a girl that my ______were good

And she said baby, it's ______

Working for ______is all very fine

But I can show you a better time.

Baby you can drive my car

Yes I'm gonna be a star

Baby you can drive my car

And baby I love you

Beep beep'm beep beep yeah

Baby you can drive my car

Yes I'm gonna be a star

Baby you can drive my car

And baby I love you

I told a girl I can start ______

And she said listen babe I got something to say

I got no car and it's ______my heart

But I've found a driver and that's a start.

Baby you can drive my car

Yes I'm gonna be a star

Baby you can drive my car

And baby I love you

Beep beep'm beep beep yeah

2. Put the following sentences in direct speech.

I asked a girl what she wanted to be.

......

I told a girl that my prospects were good.

......

I told a girl I could start right away.

......

3. Put the following sentences in indirect speech.

TIP: It is a girl talking!

“You can do something in between!”

......

“You can drive my car!”

......

“Listen baby. I got something to say!”

......

“I’ve found a driver!”

......

5. Tom’s dinerSuzanne Vega

1. Complete the lyrics!

I am ______
In the morning
At the diner
On the corner
I am ______
At the counter
For the man
To pour the coffee
And he fills it
Only halfway
And before
I even argue
He is ______
Out the window
At somebody
Coming in
"It is always
Nice to see you"
Says the man
Behind the counter
To the woman
Who has come in
She is ______
Her umbrella
And I look
The other way
As they are ______
Their hellos
I'm ______
Not to see them
Instead
I pour the milk
I open
Up the paper
There's a story
Of an actor
Who had died
While he was ______
It was no one
I had heard of
And I'm ______
To the horoscope
And ______
For the funnies
When I'm ______
Someone ______me
And so
I raise my head
There's a woman
On the outside
______inside
Does she see me?
No she does not
Really see me
Cause she sees
Her own reflection
And I'm ______
Not to notice
That she's ______
Up her skirt
And while she's
Straightening her stockings

Her hair is ______wet
Oh, this rain
It will continue
Through the morning
As I'm ______
To the bells
Of the cathedral
I am ______
Of your voice...
And of the midnight picnic
Once upon a time
Before the rain began...
I finish up my coffee
It's time to catch the train.

2. Try to find the correct word in the song for each explanation!

A. The place where you pay or are served in a restaurant, shop, etc.

………………………………………………

B. A frame covered in cloth that you hold above your head when it is raining!

………………………………………………

C. A thin piece of clothing that covers a woman’s leg and foot!

………………………………………………

3. In this song we have used a new tense called ‘the present continuous tense’. Let’s find out how to form it!

Ex. I am sitting

A. Can you write down some similar examples from the song?

...... ……………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

B. Can you complete the rule?

Simple Present of “…………………”+ -ing form

4. How do we form the –ing form?

To read reading
To go going
To play playing / General rule: infinitive without “……….” + ING
To ride riding
To dance dancing / Infinitives ending in –E: the ……… is dropped!
To jog jogging
To swim swimming / Infinitives ending in a single stressed vowel + 1 consonant: The consonant is ………………………
To travel travelling
To control controlling / Infinitives ending in –L after a single vowel: the –L is ………………!
(except in American English)
To lie lying / Infinitives ending in IE: IE  ……….

5. Let’s have a look at the present continuous of the verb ‘to work’!

+ + + + + Affirmative + + + + + / ------Negative ------
I am working
You are working
He/She/ It is working
We are working
You are working
They are working / I am not working
You are not working
He/She/It is not working
We are not working
You are not working
They are not working

6. Can you also fill in the grid for the verb ‘to think’?

+ + + + + Affirmative + + + + + / ------Negative ------
I ______
You ______
He/She/It ______
We ______
You ______
They ______/ I ______
You ______
He/She/It ______
We ______
You ______
They ______

7. Suzanne Vega’s hobbies …

This is Suzanne Vega. She is the artist of

the song you’ve just heard.

These are her favourite hobbies:

- “I like playing tennis!”

- “I like going for long walks!”

- “I love reading books!”

- “I love composing music!”

Tell your neighbour what your favourite hobbies are! Use the present continuous tense!

Ex. I like watching TV

I like playing football

…

6. The BestTina Turner

1. Something went wrong while typing the lyrics. Listen to the song and try to find the mistakes! Underline and correct them!

I call you when I need you, my heart's on desire
You come to me, come to me wild and wild
When you come to me
Give me everything I need
Give me a lifetime promises and a world of fears
Speak a language of love like you know what it means
And it can't be strong
Take my heart and make it strong baby

You're simply the best, better than all the rest
Better than anyone, anyone I've ever met
I'm stuck on your heart, and stand on every word you say
Tear us apart, baby I would rather be there

In your heart I see the star of every night and every day
In your eyes I get lost, I get smashed away
Just as long as I'm here in your arms
I could be in no better place
You're simply the best, better than all the rest
Better than anyone, anyone I've ever met
I'm stuck on your heart, and stand on every word you say
Tear us apart, baby I would rather be there

Each time you leave me I start losing my soul
You're walking away with my heart and my control
I can feel you even when I'm alone
Oh baby, don't let go

Correction of the mistakes:

(1) …………………………………………… (6) …………………………………………

(2) …………………………………………… (7) …………………………………………

(3) …………………………………………… (8) …………………………………………

(4) …………………………………………… (9) …………………………………………

(5) …………………………………………… (10) …………………………………………

You’re simply the best!

2. Tina is talking about someone. She thinks he’s the best!

What is the difference between good, better and the best?

Let’s find out!

BEST

BETTER

GOOD

ex. Tom is very good at skiing, but Mark is even better! But of course James is the best! He beats everyone of them!

3. Study and complete the following grids.

Rules:

Adjective / Comparative / Superlative / Rules
Cheap
Small / Cheaper
Smaller / Cheapest
Smallest / Comparative: adjective + ……
Superlative: adjective + ………
Large
Nice / Larger
Nicer / Largest
Nicest / Adjectives ending in –E: the ……… is dropped!
Big
Hot / Bigger
Hotter / Biggest
Hottest / Adjectives ending in a short vowel + consonant: the consonant is ……………………!
Tidy
Friendly / Tidier
Friendlier / Tidiest
Friendliest / Adjectives ending in a consonant + Y: Y  …………
Popular
Expensive
interesting / More popular
More expensive
More interesting / Most popular
Most expensive
Most interesting / Most longer adjectives:
……………/………… + adjective

Exceptions:

Adjective / Comparative / Superlative
Good
Bad
Little
Much
Many
A lot of / Better
Worse
Less
More
More
More / Best
Worst
Least
Most
Most
Most

Note:

To express equality we use “as + adjective + as” (Ex. I’m as good as you!)

4. Do the following exercise! Find out how good you are!

August is ______(hot) month of the year!

There is nothing ______(exciting) than taking trips.

Nothing is ______(important) than health.

Our house is ______(big) than theirs.

I think geography is much ______(easy) than science.

I think the cow is ______(useful) of all animals.

Is Mt.Fujithe ______(high) mountain in Japan?

My father is ______(strong) than yours.

Which do you like ______(good), fish or meat?

Your car is ______(good) than mine.

5. Compare these 2 people to each other! Use comparatives and superlatives!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………