Spring is Here - Songs for Young Learners

On the occasion of Equinox which is considered the beginning of spring season in many cultures I want to share some really good songs for young English learners. 

Spring is Here - Song with movements

Spring Song - Super Simple Nursery Rhymes For Kids

Spring is Here - from the Movie "Lost in the Woods"

A squirrel, a turtle, baby birds and other forest animals sing about the coming of spring.

I Love Spring Song - Funny Frog

Sing a Song of Flowers

(really good for colours revision)

Spring Song

The Wheels on the Bus

The traditional American song "The Wheels on the Bus" was written in the 30's by Verna Hills but it is often referred to as a folk song due to the fact that many alternative verses have been created. The song shares the same tune with the nursery rhyme "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush".

Read the traditional lyrics and them watch the video and find the differences between the versions.

Traditional Lyrics

The wheels on the bus go round and round,
round and round,
round and round.
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
all through the town.

The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish;
Swish, swish, swish;
Swish, swish, swish.
The wipers on the bus go Swish, swish, swish,
all through the town.

The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep;
Beep, beep, beep;
Beep, beep, beep.
The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep,
all through the town…

The money on the bus goes, clink, clink, clink;
Clink, clink, clink;
Clink, clink, clink.
The money on the bus goes, clink, clink, clink,
all through the town.

The Driver on the bus says “Move on back,
move on back, move on back;”
The Driver on the bus says “Move on back,”
all through the town.

The baby on the bus says “Wah, wah, wah;
Wah, wah, wah;
Wah, wah, wah”.
The baby on the bus says “Wah, wah, wah,”
all through the town.

The mommy on the bus says “Shush, shush, shush;
Shush, shush, shush;
Shush, shush, shush.”
The mommy on the bus says “Shush, shush, shush,”
all through the town.

The version with movements

Here is an example of using "The Wheels on the Bus" for teaching English in primary school. Remember it's essential for pupils to have fun in the process of learning and this song offers a great opportunity to relax and move.

Alternative Versions

(only the first line is given)
The doors on the bus go open and shut.
The bell on the bus goes ding-ding-ding.
The lady on the bus says, “Get off my feet”…
The people on the bus say, “We had a nice ride”…
“Your name” on the bus says Let Me Off!
The Grandma on the bus goes (kiss, kiss, kiss)
The Grandpa on the bus goes (snore, snore, snore)
Librarians on the bus go shh, shh, shh,
Mummy and daddy on the bus says, I love you,
Policeman on the bus, goes allo, allo allo,
Grannies on the bus, shake their heads,
Grannies on the bus knit, knit, knit,
Grannies on the bus knit, knit, knit,
Dentists on the bus say open wide,
Brakes on the bus, go screech, screech, screech,
Friends on the bus say, how are you?
Teenagers on the bus go like OMG,

Animal Sounds Versions

Dogs on the bus go woof, woof, woof, (or the dog on the bus goes...)
Cats on the bus go meow, meow, meow,
Mice on the bus go squeak, squeak, squeak,
Chickens on the bus go cluck, cluck, cluck,
Ducks on the bus go quack, quack, quack,
Turkeys on the bus go gobble, gobble, gobble,
Parrots on the bus say Who’s a pretty boy?
Sheep on the bus go baa, baa, baa,
Cows on the bus go moo, moo, moo,
Pigs on the bus go oink, oink, oink,
Horses on the bus go neigh, neigh, neigh,
Cockroaches on the bus go skitter, skitter, skitter,

London Bridge Singing Game

 "London Bridge" is a popular nursery rhyme which is also used to play a fun and easy singing game. You need 5 or 6 children to play it and of course first they must learn the words of the song.

How to play

The words

The rhyme is a fine example of British folklore so there are several versions. Here are the most popular verses:

London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down,
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady.

Build It Up With Sticks and Stones,
Sticks and Stones,
Sticks and Stones.
Build It Up With Sticks and Stones,
My Fair Lady.

Sticks and Stones Will All Fall Down,
All Fall Down All Fall Down,
Sticks and Stones Will All Fall Down,
My Fair Lady.

Build It Up With Wood and Clay,
Wood and Clay Wood and Clay,
Build It Up With Wood and Clay,
My Fair Lady.

Wood and Clay Will Wash Away,
Wash Away,
Wash Away.
Wood and Clay Will Wash Away,
My Fair Lady.

Build It Up With Iron and Steel,
Iron and Steel,
Iron and Steel,
Build It Up With Iron and Steel,
My Fair Lady.

Iron and Steel Will Bend and Bow,
Bend and Bow,
Bend and Bow,
Iron and Steel Will Bend and Bow,
My Fair Lady.

Built it up with silver and gold,
Silver and gold, silver and gold,
Built it up with silver and gold,
My fair lady.

Gold and silver I have none,
I have none, I have none,
Gold and silver I have none,
My fair lady.

Build It Up With Bricks of Shaw,
Bricks So Sure,
Bricks So Sure,
Build It Up With Bricks of Shaw,
My Fair Lady.

It Will Stand For Ever More,
Ever More,
Ever More,
It Will Stand For Ever More,
My Fair Lady.

History

London Bridge was first built by the Romans in 50AD. Throughout the history it was destroyed and rebuilt several times. In fact, it "was falling down" several times and then was rebuilt and made stronger again and again. Originally, London bridge was wooden but in the 13th century stone was used  to construct it for the first time. The current crossing opened in 1973 has been built from concrete and steel.

Modern London Bridge

Wake Up! Daily Routines Song

This song is excellent for practising present simple and daily routines vocabulary with younger learners of English.

Alright, alright
Here we go!
I wake up
I wake up
I wash my face, I wash my face
This is what I do when I wake up in the morning. Yeah!
This is what I do when I wake up. Yeah!
I brush my teeth, I brush my teeth
I comb my hair, I comb my hair
This is what I do when I wake up in the morning. Yeah!
This is what I do when I wake up. Yeah!
I eat breakfast, I eat breakfast
I go to school, I go to school
This is what I do when I wake up in the morning. Yeah!
This is what I do when I wake up. Yeah!
I wake up
I wash my face
I brush my teeth
I comb my hair
I eat breakfast
I go to school
Alright!

Present Continuous - Sing and learn (Tom's Diner by Susan Vega)

1. First let's revise how to form the present continuous tense. Look at the scheme and answer the questions:
- What is the auxiliary verb?
- What is the ending?

2. Listen to the song and answer the questions:

1.  Where is the woman?

2. What is she drinking?
3. What is she reading?
4. What is she listening to?
5. What is the weather like?

Susan Vega "Tom's Diner"

Culture Reference

A diner is a small restaurant in the USA or Canada. Diners offer a wide range of foods, mostly American cuisine (hamburgers, french fries, club sandwiches), and a casual atmosphere. Thre is a combination of booths served by waiters and a long sit-down counter with direct service. Most diners have extended hours, and some, especially along highways, stay open for 24 hours.

A diner

3. Watch the video and copy out all the present continuous forms that you hear.

4. Download the worksheet here and do the task.

50 States of the USA Song

Learn the correct pronunciation of all the names of American states with this wonderful Kids TV song by A.J.Jenkins. Sing along!

Which of the states would you like to visit? Why? Write your answers in the comments below.

People Work Song

Watch the video and do the activities.

Lyrics

Nigel Naylor, he's a tailor
He makes trousers, suits and shirts
Penny Proctor, she's a doctor
Comes to see you when it hurts.
Peter Palmer, he's a farmer
He's got cows and pigs and sheep
Wendy Witter, babysitter
Minds the kids when they're asleep.

People work in the country
People work in the town
People work day and night
To make the world go round.

Mabel Meacher, language teacher
Teaches English, French and Greek
Gary Gummer, he's a plumber
Call him when you've got a leak.
Patty Prentice, she's a dentist
Keeps your teeth both clean and white
Ronnie Ryman, he's a fireman
Comes when there's a fire to fight.

People work in the country
People work in the town
People work day and night
To make the world go round.

Activity 1

Play a game

Model: -Is it a man or a woman?

-It’s a man.

-Does he keep cows?
-No, he doesn’t.
-Does he make clothes?
-Yes, he does.
-Is he Nigel Naylor?
-Yes, he is.

Activity 2

Make up sentences about professions using the cues given below.
Model: A doctor helps sick people.

Professions

A doctor
An architect
A babysitter
A plumber
A teacher
A shopkeeper
A bus driver
An interpreter
A journalist
A postman
A fireman

Cues

•to mend waterpipes
•to help sick people
•to teach children
•to design buildings
•to translate
•to deliver post
•to look after kids
•to sell things in shops
•to drive a bus
•to fight fires
•to write for newspapers

Songs and Grammar: Tom's Diner

Listen to the song by Susan Vega and write down all the verbs in Present Continuous. 

The focus is on the meaning of the present continuous tense - it expresses an action which is going on at the present moment.
Students use the word processor to type their answers.

Easter Bunny Songs for Young English Learners

Can you guess why I'm posting these cute creatures today? 

It was Easter in Britain and other European countries this Sunday. Here in Ukraine we are celebrating it in a fortnight. Easter Bunny is one of the symbols of Easter in the English-speaking countries. 

The following songs are great for teaching English in primary school. They provide the opportunity to move and create an Ester atmosphere.

Ten Bunnies Counting Lyric Video

This is The Way The Bunny Hops

Here Comes the Easter Bunny

Christmas Fun (Activities for Young Learners)

Making a Christmas card

Sending Christmas cards to family members and friends is a widespread tradition around the world. You can make Christmas cards with your young learners in class. Here are some ideas:

DIY Christmas Card Ideas

For your teenage learners there is more difficult option:

Singing Christmas songs

While making a Christmas card with your pupils why not to sing some Christmas songs and learn English?

S-A-N-T-A

We Wish you a Merry Christmas

Activities to the song

Santa Santa High in the Sky

Goodbye Song

This is a great song to end your class with your pupils! Dream English song by Matt R.

Lyrics

Clap your hands

Spin around

Jump up high

OK!

Clap your hands

Sit down

Stand up

1,2,3,4

Goodbye, goodbye, see you again

Goodbye, goodbye, see you my friends

Goodbye, goodbye, I had fun today

I had fun today

Stomp your feet

Shake your body

Stand still

OK!

Stomp your feet

Turn left

Turn right

1,2,3,4

Goodbye, goodbye, see you again

Goodbye, goodbye, see you my friends

Goodbye, goodbye, I had fun today

I had fun today, I had fun today

I had fun today

Goodbye!