Jazz+Chants

These little jewels help non-native speakers get the "feel" of American English. The student learns the stress, rhythm and intonation patterns by "doing" them. It's a very effective and enjoyable way to learn. Check out Carolyn Graham's book //Jazz Chants.// It can be a great help in your classroom. Be sure to get her accompanying tape cassette, as it will give you the sense of jazz, timing and fun that must accompany them. (Address given below.) ||
 * [[image:http://members.tripod.com/jrmeads_515/j1.gif width="36" height="36" align="left" caption="J"]] **azz Chants**

> Let the class do the rhythm and say it at the same time. **azz Chant #1** Here is a jazz chant I wrote after my trip to Costa Rica. You can insert any country or place instead of "Costa Rica" or "California." You model the first line and the students repeat it. Just snap your fingers or clap your hands to 4/4 time and chant away: ||
 * [[image:http://members.tripod.com/jrmeads_515/transp.gif width="100" height="100"]] || Steps in teaching a jazz chant: # Be sure students know all the key vocabulary.
 * 1) Write the chant on the board.
 * 2) Read the entire chant to the class.
 * 3) Read one line at a time and have students repeat the line until they can say most of the words.
 * 4) Add the rhythm (clapping, marching, pounding the table or a drum).
 * 1) Let "soloists" say it while everyone else claps.

I __went__ to Costa __Rica__ __one__ fine __day__. And __what__ did I __find?__ __What__ did I __find?__ __Warm__, loving __people__ with __hearts__ so __kind__, __Warm__, loving __people__ with __hearts__ so __kind__. ||
 * [[image:http://members.tripod.com/jrmeads_515/transp.gif width="100" height="100"]] || [[image:http://members.tripod.com/jrmeads_515/loroa.gif width="130" height="185" caption="Parrot"]] || I __went__ to Costa __Rica__ __one__ fine __day__.

I have a __class__ in Cali__fornia__ __yes__ I __do__. And __what__ do I __find?__ __What__ do I __find?__ __Warm__, loving __people__ with __hearts__ so __kind__, __Warm__, loving __people__ with __hearts__ so __kind__. I __do__, I __do__, I __do__, __do__, __do__. I __do__, I __do__, I __do__, __do__, __do__. || Group 1 chants the poem: "I went to Costa Rica one fine day..." Group 2 chants: "__Warm__ people, __Loving__ people, __Hearts__ so __kind__."
 * [[image:http://members.tripod.com/jrmeads_515/transp.gif]] || I have a __class__ in Cali__fornia__ __yes__ I __do__.
 * [[image:http://members.tripod.com/jrmeads_515/transp.gif width="100" height="100"]] || After the chant has been learned, divide into two groups.

**azz Chant #2** **The Good Samaritan** Lesson 5, Book 1 Chorus: __Walkin'__, __walkin'__, __walkin'__ down the __road__. __Walkin'__, __walkin'__, __walkin'__ down the __road__. > __Peace__ in my __heart__, not a __care__ in the __world__. > Chorus > __Took__ all my __money__, __left__ me for __dead__. > Chorus > __Stuck__ his nose __in__ the air, he __didn't__ have the __time__. > Chorus > He __took__ one __look__ at me and __changed__ his __mind__. > Chorus > __True__ friend, __true__ friend, __couldn't__ let me __down__. Fade out: __True__ friend, __true__ friend, __couldn't__ let me __down__. __True____true____couldn't____down____True____true____couldn't____down____True__ friend, __true__ friend, __couldn't__ let me __down__. ||
 * 1) I'm __going__ to Je__rus__alem, __walkin'__ down the __road__.
 * 1) __Along__ came some __robbers__, __beat__ me on the __head__.
 * 1) __Along__ came a __rich__ man, __dressed__ so __fine__.
 * 1) __Along__ came a __poor__ man with a __heart__ so __kind__.
 * 1) He __put__ me on his __donkey__, __took__ me into __town__.

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