simple / catchy prosocial songs?

[bluebonnet]

I can find songs against bullying, conformity, racism, etc.  But the lyrics I find are long and complex, even if they're meant for a young (English speaking) audience.  I considered simply filling in the complex parts, but this would mean they'd miss much of the song's power.

So basically, I'm searching for something with these elements.  Prosocial message, but is simple and catchy.

It's intended as content for middle school grade 1 students.  They would complete a gap-fill exercise in groups of 4.

Any ideas are indeed welcomed!

[i_am_a_toaster]

How about Hulk Hogan's EPIC MUSIC?  THIS IS THE GREATEST SONG EVER OF ALL TIME!




You could have them do a dictation of the chorus.  What's better than the Hulkster rapping?   GO America!

[lennonloverlady]

I used Jack Johnson's "3'rs" song with my middle schoolers for our unit on the Environment.

They really dug the song, and we all sang it together. It is good for a fill in the blank worksheet because the vocabulary is quite simple and he doesn't sing it too fast. Then you can get the kids to make a list of different ways to 1. Reduce 2. Reuse 3. Recycle. My kids made posters at the end.
Good Luck!

[fishead]

 Anything by Micheal Jackson goes over pretty well. Even if the song is too long and complicated you can just focus on doing the chorus together

Heal the world   We are the world    Black or white

These songs are all on youtube can be listened to with or without subtitles.

You can also use  I have a dream by Westlife or Abba. I play the Martin Luther King Speech to introduce this one.

[bluebonnet]

I used Jack Johnson's "3'rs" song with my middle schoolers for our unit on the Environment.

They really dug the song, and we all sang it together. It is good for a fill in the blank worksheet because the vocabulary is quite simple and he doesn't sing it too fast. Then you can get the kids to make a list of different ways to 1. Reduce 2. Reuse 3. Recycle. My kids made posters at the end.
Good Luck!

Thanks, I actually used that song as well for a class during the regular semester.  And agreed.  I was surprised to see some students tapping along with the song.

[bluebonnet]

Anything by Micheal Jackson goes over pretty well. Even if the song is too long and complicated you can just focus on doing the chorus together

Heal the world   We are the world    Black or white

These songs are all on youtube can be listened to with or without subtitles.

You can also use  I have a dream by Westlife or Abba. I play the Martin Luther King Speech to introduce this one.

Michael Jackson has also performed in Korea.  I abandoned the obviously prosocial lyrics idea, that became the theme I ultimately intended.  Learn the lyrics to an English language song, then watch a video of it performed in Korea.  Thanks for the other ideas, too.

For my grade 1 classes, however, we used 'We're going to be friends' by the White Stripes.  The students dug it, and the lyrics generally weren't too difficult.  The classes were mixed level, and often, students of different levels paired together to complete the gap fill exercise.  If you search in youtube, there's a video for the song with cute illustrations based on the lyrics.  So, first we simply watched and listened to this, as a primer exercise.  Then we listened twice more (once with a different, single image video and then again with the cute drawings).  To the pair or group with the most (or close to it) correct answers I gave Oreos.  2-cookie packages for w300.  Not too expensive, and each student pair shared a package.  It was also a strong motivator, and many students who were ordinarily quiet or misbehaved gave a good effort.

I ended the class with tongue twisters, some of which I wrote myself and some from a video in which a young Korean guy attempts them.  The classes went well.

[mrbeast210]

I agree with fishead. Many of Jack Johnson's songs - especially from the Curious George soundtrack - would work well.

[Hongsam]

Bump!

I'm going to use "The 3 R's" and "We're Going to Be Friends"

Any other suggestions for catchy songs that you've used in class before?

[scottab123]

"Who Says" by Selena Gomez.

It's got a positive, self-esteem building message.  The language is at a moderate level, and your milage may vary.

Check the lyrics here.

Check the video .

[hollyg123]

Lady Gaga - Born this way. And the kids love lady gaga!