Jazz chants: Introduction

How to use Jazz Chants in the classroom

You can use these jazz chants in a variety of fun ways. You can practice stress and rhythm with your class, to help your students sound more natural when they speak English. Also, because each jazz chant focuses on different vocabulary and grammar, you can also use them to review important words and structures! Here are some ideas on how to use these jazz chants with your class.

Practice stress and rhythm

Choose a jazz chant you want to use and make one copy of the chant for every pair of students in your class.
Play the recording for the first time just for fun.
Give each student a copy of the recording script, and play the recording again as they listen and read at the same time. 
Put students into pairs and have them put a small circle above each word that is stressed. Check their answers, then play the recording again as they listen and check. 
Finally, play the recording one more time and have students sing along. 

Review vocabulary

Check the vocabulary focus for each jazz chant and choose one you want to review.  Make one copy of the Recording script for every two students in your class.
Write the vocabulary focus on the board and put students into pairs to make a list of as many associated words as they can.
Play the recording and have students note all the words they hear that are associated with the vocabulary focus.
Give each student a copy of the Recording script, and play the recording again as they listen and read at the same time. Tell them to underline all the target words.
Finally, play the recording one more time and have students sing along. 

Review grammar

Check the grammar focus for each jazz chant and choose one you want to review.  Make one copy of the Recording script for every two students in your class.
Write the grammar focus on the board and put students into pairs to make a few example sentences using the grammar.
Play the recording and have students note how many times they hear the target grammar.
Give each student a copy of the Recording script, and play the recording again as they listen and read at the same time. Tell them to underline each example of the target grammar.
Finally, play the recording one more time and have students sing along. 

Tip! For the final sing-a-long stage, why not divide the class into two groups, and have each group sing a different section!

Tip! To help students identify the stress and rhythm, clap your hands in time to the beat.  Encourage them to do the same.

Tip! Remember, these are supposed to be fun!  Keep the pace of the class quick and lively, and try to always make sure students join in the singing.