As a language learning tool, singing is an effective way for learners to become more familiar with the natural rhythm of spoken (sung) English. On top of that, there's something about singing that just makes you feel good. Here's a list of songs to try in junior high.
Please Help!
We need more songs.
Please share any songs that've worked for you! - Comment below.
What makes a great English class song?
Most important for a song to be a good fit for singing in your English class is it's sing-ability. This means:
- simple lyrics (repitition is helpful for students)
- appropriate content (avoid swearwords, explicit topics, etc)
- easy rhythm, uncomplicated melody, not too long, not too fast
- no extended guitar riffs, etc (don't make everyone wait)
Tips for using songs
Listen first - before you start singing, just listen. You can make this a word-fill activity or similar, or you can just let the students read the lyrics along with the song (which brings us to the next point).
Lyrics sheet - provide students with a sheet of the lyrics. Without it, singing along will be tough.
Read through - to help students with their first time singing, read through the lyrics together. Yes... Repeat after me. But it helps students with words they may not know how to read or pronounce.
Repeat - one song should last several classes (assuming you sing it once or twice per class). This lets students get used to the song and from there they can relax and just enjoy singing it.
Review/critique - music is something it's very easy to have an opinion of and as your students go up through the grades, their ability to put their thought to (English) words will be growing. This optional extension of song-time can be a structured, writing activity, or a more relaxed, conversational discussion of the song.
Get suggestions - as the time with one song comes to an end, you can ask for suggestions on the next song students want to sing. When you get a popular song from a student's suggestion, motivation skyrockets.
Songs to Sing in Junior High English Class
(Please note: the formatting in the Google preview of the lyrics handouts is a little muddled. The Word file is good though!)
Pop
Rock
Classics
Be careful with which version of this song you use. The radio version is the best, with a "cleaned up" line towards the end of the song. In the original, it's "Making love in the green grass". In the radio version, it's "Laughing and a running hey, hey".
Didn't make the cut
Here are some great songs that, unfortunately, we can't quite recommend for the junior high English class, with an explanation why.
By: The White Stripes
Reason: Long periods without singing
By: Maroon 5
Reason: Mild profanity, very fast lyrics
If you find any other songs that work well, be sure to let us know and we'll add them to the list.
Sing- The Carpenters
Stroll (Sanpo in English from Totoro)
Paprika (English ver.)
Try Everything- Shakira (there's a fun lyric vid on YouTube)
We are the World - U.S.A for America (I think it's in the textbook)
Here Comes the Sun- The Beatles
One Thing- One Direction (still a bop)
Stand by Me - Ben E. King
Crazier- Taylor Swift
I just called to say I love you - Stevie Wonder
Don't Look Back in Anger - Oasis
Totoro (Eng ver.)
Heal the World - Michael Jackson (also fade out)
Christmas Songs: Happy Christmas - John Lennon; Last Christmas- WHAM
Other songs that were okay:
What a wonderful world- Louis Armstrong
You've got a friend- Carole King
If We Hold on Together- Diana Ross
I have a dream- ABBA
Carrying You- (Eng ver. of song from Castle in the Sky)
Top of the World- The Carpenters
Don't Wanna Miss a Thing - Aerosmith (Some kids know it from that Armageddon movie. We fade it out towards the end.)
Hope some of these are useful. Our students really liked singing but it was hard to find current songs that were appropriate.