Content Area Learning

This chapter is very interesting and truly talks about all the different areas of learning.  As I read the chapter and did some additional research online I came across a website that talks about tools that can be used to assist in the learning process.  One such tool is songs.  It's interesting to see how music can be used to create and activate "prior knowledge".  In other words, music can be used to help children remember subjects such as social studies.  For example, if a teacher is teaching the children all the great lakes, the following song can be used as an excellent tool.  The song is entitled:  "Great Lakes Jack" by Foster Brown.

I knew a sailor and his name was Jack
High diddle diddle dum day.
He had a boat and the boat had a crack
High diddle diddle dum day

He sailed on Lake Huron
But forgot and left the candle on.
So sailor Jack, he came back,
High diddle diddle dum day.

Chorus

He sailed on Lake Ontario
But the girl he loved was married-o.
So sailor Jack, he came back
High diddle diddle dum day.

Chorus

He sailed on Lake Michigan
But he met a pirate named Finnigan.
So sailor Jack, he came back,
High diddle diddle dum day.

Chorus

He sailed on Lake Erie
But the weather it turned dreary.
So sailor Jack, he came back
High diddle diddle dum day.

Chorus

He sailed on Lake Superior,
But its size made him feel inferior.
So sailor Jack, he came back
High diddle diddle dum day.

For those of you who would like to take a look at the different songs that can be used for all different content areas you can find them here:  www.songsforteaching.com/index.html.

Whoever said learning wasn't fun didn't use this kind of learning tool in their classroom.  I know that I have used this technique with my own children.  As educators, what songs can you share with us that you may have used in your classroom?