Literacy and the Arts Music and Literacy: The correlation between songs and language arts. Music and Literacy: The correlation between songs and language arts.

What is Literacy? The ability to use language to:  Read  Write  Listen  Speak The ability to use language to:  Read  Write  Listen  Speak Literacy allows us to communicate, interpret and understand. Literacy is the platform on which knowledge is developed in a literate society.

Language in Music Music is a kind of language. It has phrasing and symbols that can be played and read. Thus, to be able to understand the language of music is to be musically literate. Also, like language literacy, music literacy requires developing skills and investing time to effectively communicate.

Why Songs?  Most songs for children are catchy or easy to remember so therefore it captivates their minds and holds their attention.  Songs can be used to teach the read, write, listen and speak components of literacy. Developing vocabulary is another skill that can be implemented through music.  Most songs for children are catchy or easy to remember so therefore it captivates their minds and holds their attention.  Songs can be used to teach the read, write, listen and speak components of literacy. Developing vocabulary is another skill that can be implemented through music.

Teaching songs to teach literacy How can children learn to read, write, listen, and speak while singing songs?

Learn to read and write  Read: The alphabet song teaches the letter sounds of the consonants. like phonemic awareness. For instance “Old McDonald” emphasizes “e”, “i”, and “o”. Also, karaoke music provides text for children to follow along thus increasing reading fluency.  Write: In a song like “Bingo” where the letters are spelled out (B-I-N-G-O) the name can be replaced with other words to enable children with spelling.  Read: The alphabet song teaches the letter sounds of the consonants. like phonemic awareness. For instance “Old McDonald” emphasizes “e”, “i”, and “o”. Also, karaoke music provides text for children to follow along thus increasing reading fluency.  Write: In a song like “Bingo” where the letters are spelled out (B-I-N-G-O) the name can be replaced with other words to enable children with spelling.

Learn to listen and speak  Listen: Using songs that rhyme (nursery songs) and then asking the children to identify the rhyming words is a great listening tool. While children learn songs ask what the words the teacher sings mean.  Speak: Singing songs in a round allows children to repeat selected text the teacher models. In “The Wheels on the Bus Go Round” children are able to articulate the “r” sound without adding a w to replace the r (wound) in round as many young children do.  Listen: Using songs that rhyme (nursery songs) and then asking the children to identify the rhyming words is a great listening tool. While children learn songs ask what the words the teacher sings mean.  Speak: Singing songs in a round allows children to repeat selected text the teacher models. In “The Wheels on the Bus Go Round” children are able to articulate the “r” sound without adding a w to replace the r (wound) in round as many young children do.

Music and Literacy The Power Couple Music and Literacy The Power Couple “It is an historical premise that a well-crafted song is the most powerful, personal, pleasurable, and above all, permanent tool in our pedagogical arsenal to establish an educational concept.” Al Balkin “It is an historical premise that a well-crafted song is the most powerful, personal, pleasurable, and above all, permanent tool in our pedagogical arsenal to establish an educational concept.” Al Balkin

Presentation by Deborah F. Pierre