lesson one

LIGHT & SHADOW SONG

MUSIC / literacy

timeframe: 10 minutes

supporting the FIVE DOMAINS OF CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

DOMAIN 1: Approaches to Learning

How children become involved in learning and acquiring knowledge.

  • Students will demonstrate creative thinking through music

DOMAIN 2: Physical Development and Health

Children’s physical health and ability to engage in daily activities, both outdoors and inside.

  • Students will use sounds to guide learning

DOMAIN 3: Social and Emotional Learning

The emotional competence and ability to form positive relationships that give meaning to children’s experiences

  • Students will share song props with their classmates

  • Students will interact by singing as a group

DOMAIN 4: Communication, Language, and Literacy 

How children understand, create, and communicate meaning.

  • Students will demonstrate growing receptive and expressive language skills

  • Students will begin to understand concepts of rhyming 

DOMAIN 5: Cognition and Knowledge of the World (Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Arts)

What children need to know and understand about their world and how they apply what they know.

  • Students will perform music with expression

  • Students will draw connections between the music and science of light and shadows

lesson description

In this lesson, students will use music to connect with and understand unit vocabulary.

lesson rationale

Research suggests that teaching young children vocabulary through songs strengthens their understanding compared to words taught without music or rhythmic patterns.

Lawson-Adams, J., Dickinson, D. K., & Donner, J. K. (2022). Sing it or speak it?: the effects of sung and rhythmically spoken songs on preschool children’s word learning. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 58, 87–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2021.06.008

activity objectives

Students will be able to:

  • memorize song lyrics

  • recognize musical patterns

  • define new vocabulary

connection to Next Generation ELA Prek Standards

  • PK.AC.4. Demonstrates a growing receptive vocabulary

  • PK.AC.5. Demonstrates a growing expressive vocabulary

  • PK.ELAL.2. [PKRF.2.] Demonstrates an emerging understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds

  • PK.ARTS.9. [MU:Pr4-6.PK] Performs Music

language objectives

  • Enhanced vocabulary through lyrics

  • Strengthen articulation through repetition

materials needed

  • Printed lyrics 

  • Visual aids

  • Props

BONUS: introduce audio technology in the music center by making recording available for listening!

step by step

I will begin by pretending to put headphones on and dance to the “music.” I’ll then ask my students if they want to learn the new song I’m “listening to.”

I will sing the entire song once (I try), and then encourage active involvement by having the children sing along (we try). I will clap my hands or tap my lap to highlight the syllables. I will have “shadow”, “sun”, and “cloud” props to reinforce vocabulary.

The song will be recorded and available to play in the music center. Song lyrics will be posted and props made available. Students will be encouraged to listen and practice.

Large group discussion to reflect on what was learned. Continued repetition in short sessions.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

pre-assessment

Students need the following knowledge & skills:

  • Listening skills

  • Memory

  • Language

  • Ability to recognize patterns

  • Basic understanding of rhyming concepts

understanding activity objective

Observation & anecdotal notes from listening during activity.

student learning

Observation & anecdotal notes from listening during activity.

Differentiated Instruction…

for struggling learners:

  • Encourage participation

  • Be flexible & adapt to children’s pace

  • Keep sessions short to avoid frustration

for learners who have mastered the concept:

  • Invite these students to “lead the choir” or have a special job with the props

for learners with identified delays or disabilities:

  • Allow flexibility in accuracy so each child may experience success

  • Use a multisensory approach by using movement, sign language, visuals, or props

for English Language Learners:

  • Provide lyrics and vocabulary in all home languages

  • Engage families and ask them what songs they enjoy singing with their children.

Follow Up Activities

Song will be repeated regularly over several days to reinforce learning.

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

Send home a copy of the song lyrics and encourage families to sing with their child at home.