[B-Greek] Using Songs in Greek Pedagogy

Louis Sorenson llsorenson at hotmail.com
Mon May 24 16:09:54 EDT 2010


Hello all,

This year I have been trying to integrate songs and use songs as a way of teaching Greek to a new class. Pulling in on storytelling, Randall Buth's methodolgy and Christophe Rico's book, I have tried most of their methodology.  I also have been reading Blaine Ray's book on TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and  Storytelling).

It all started with a couple songs about a year ago and then getting some positive feedback from a few I decided to use it in my classes.  I think the active learning method scared off some of the older adults - the high school guys really love learning from an activity-based methodology (including the UNO - ENA card game).   We have used about 0%-100% of various classes using songs, on average about 25%. I play the guitar a little, read music, play the piano (no piano in the room) and can hold a tune, but that is about all. So our music teaching was pretty Spartan -- but it works.

The last few weeks I have tried to formalize a song or two and make a 
curriculum for the song, along with vocabulary, audio drills, vocal 
recordings, and more.  The result is a sheet of paper (legal-size) printed on both sides which you carry around with you, fold and put in your pocket, etc.  I use this method all the time as I have a job that takes me to over 100 places a day. 

Different songs work differently. Some have great settings (like The Revelation Song); Others are more praise-action based, like the latest one I have used "You Are Worthy of My Praise" by David Ruis.  Nevertheless, they still lend themselves to an audio-based methodology. You are Worthy of my Praise is a responsive song, which works well for teaching. I may video record one of my classes and post my thoughts and ideas, but for now to keep this short, I just wanted to share my first official lesson (draft). 

The lesson is an intermediate lesson - just touching on participles, one or two subjunctives, lots of futures and datives. There is an instructional section at the end that tells how to use it and links to various sections in Smyth's grammar. I would also like to give references to Mounce, but he is not as well organized as Smyth. (I love FOSFOROS' post - buy Smyth and write KOINE on the front cover). 

The Songfold lesson has four parts: Song, Scripture References, Story, 
Class Dialogue.  Learning the song is based on learning phrases. I have 
developed a parallel story to reinforce the phrases. I have yet to put 
up my class dialogue for the song. A grammar section is included.  The 
goal of this methodology is to learn to read, but to internalize the 
forms by using them aurally.  Give it a try and let me in on what you 
think.  I'm still not happy with the audio (a quick recording), and line 12/34, but there's always room for improvement.

Links:

The song:  You Are Worthy of My Praise" by David Ruis  
Online Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEFN3lqTD7k&feature=related
Vineyard Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEcWkt7rxrg (more familiar to most)
Jeremy Camp: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJsN358apt8&feature=related (rocky)
Songfold: http://www.letsreadgreek.com/songs/youareworthyofmypraise/youareworthyofmypraise_fourfold.pdf
Greek-English askesis: http://www.letsreadgreek.com/songs/youareworthyofmypraise/youareworthyofmypraise_Greek-English-Askhsis.mp3
Greek askesis: http://www.letsreadgreek.com/songs/youareworthyofmypraise/youareworthyofmypraise_greekaskesis.mp3
Greek vocal of song:   http://www.letsreadgreek.com/songs/youareworthyofmypraise/youareworthyofmypraise_vocal.mp3

ASATE MOI   ἄσατε μοι!
Louis Sorenson

 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox.
http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_1


More information about the B-Greek mailing list