There Was a Teacher

Syllable Awareness Procedure 1. Using the tune of “B .I .N .G .O,” teach children the song shown on the next page using one of their names . (If you are unfamiliar with the melody, you can find it on the internet . Or, simply chant the lyrics .) 2. Tell children you are going to leave out one syllable from the name, but you will replace that part with a clap . Demonstrate this, and ask children to join you . 3. Repeat the song again, and replace a second syllable with a clap or a beat . Continue until all the syllables have been replaced by a clap or a beat . 4. Ask children whose names they would like to try, and continue singing as long as the activity holds their interest . The number of syllables in each child’s name determines the number of verses in the song . A child named Liz will only need two verses—the first in which her name is used, and the second in which a single clap replaces the single syllable in her name . A child named José will have three verses: the first in which his name is used, the second in which a single clap replaces the first syllable of his name, and the third in which both syllables of his name are replaced with claps . Differentiate or Extend ▲ Begin with children that have shorter names, followed by children with longer names . ▲ If available, a variety of musical instruments can be used to rhythmically replace the syllables, enriching the singing experience . Children will enjoy using the instruments throughout the day and will likely play with segmenting other words and deleting syllables . ▲ Challenge children to practice the activity with their last names, too . There Was a Teacher Objective Students will segment syllables in words and delete syllables in words . Overview The teacher shows children how to segment their names into syllables and then progressively delete syllables from their names as they sing a song . The deleted syllables are replaced by claps (as in the “B .I .N .G .O” song) . Materials a variety of rhythm instruments (optional) School-Home Connection Encourage children to sing this song at home using the names of family members and friends . Or, request lists from family members with the names of significant individuals in their children’s lives . Incorporate these names into the sample samplesong on different occasions .

Syllable Awareness There Was a Teacher (using the name Fernando) Verse 1 There was a teacher who had a child. Fernando was his name, oh! /Fûr/—/năn/—/dō/! /Fûr/—/n ăn/—/dō/! /Fûr/—/năn/—/dō/! (pause between the syllables) Fernando was his name, oh! Verse 2 There was a teacher who had a child. Fernando was his name, oh! CLAP—/năn/—/dō/! CLAP—/năn/—/dō/! CLAP—/năn/—/dō/! Fernando was his name, oh! Verse 3 There was a teacher who had a child. Fernando was his name, oh! CLAP—CLAP—/dō/! CLAP—CLAP—/dō/! CLAP—CLAP—/dō/! Fernando was his name, oh! Verse 4 There was a teacher who had a child. Fernando was his name, oh! CLAP—CLAP—CLAP! CLAP—CLAP—CLAP! CLAP—CLAP—CLAP! Fernando was his name, oh! There Was a Teacher (cont.) sample