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BELL RINGER / EXIT TICKET

Song of the Day

Grade:

K-2, 3-5

Uses:

Review of Content or Skill
/  Preview and Engage

Materials:

Song of the Day handout, coloring supplies, song with audio, and writing utensils
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Description

Students listen to a song and draw or write to show their understanding of its message.

Preparation

Select a song that connects to your learning objective, theme, or unit of study.
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Implementation

Begin by telling students they will listen to a song twice. Briefly activate prior knowledge about the song’s theme. Preview the handout questions, and model active listening expectations. First play: students only listen and think. Second play: students complete handouts and create visuals. Provide clear success criteria (e.g., “Include three symbols representing key themes”). End with partner or whole-class sharing and connect to lesson objectives.

Teaching Tips

  • Before implementing independently, model the activity with a different song.
  • To extend the activity, choose one or two relevant background articles from Britannica School or Britannica Library that directly connect to your chosen song’s genre or artist. Use these articles to explore historical context and create cross-curricular connections through guided discussion and activities.

Supporting All Learners

For students needing support: Provide a guided think-aloud and model how to brainstorm ideas about the song (e.g., with the Teach Britannica Bubble Web graphic organizer). Also, show students related images to activate their thinking.

For advanced learners: Invite students to write about how the song makes them feel and why.

For multilingual learners: Provide lyrics and sentence frames for discussion.

Note: Provide accommodations and modifications based on your learners’ needs to ensure full participation.