SHS DirectorySHS MatchLesson PlansGES Promotion Past QuestionsStudent Lesson NotesBlogs

Basic 1 · Ghanaian Language · Songs

Singing Songs in Our Language

In this topic you will sing songs in your Ghanaian language. You will listen for names of places, people and animals in the songs.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Sing a familiar song of more than six lines
  • Pick out names of places in a song
  • Sing with actions

What you already know

  • Songs from KG

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Oral Language
Sub-strand
Songs
Indicator
B1.1.1.1.1 – Sing familiar songs of more than six lines and recognize place names heard in the song

Introduction

Every Ghanaian language has many songs. We sing them at home, at school and at festivals. Songs help us learn new words.

1. Listening to Songs

When you listen to a song, listen for names.

Names you may hear

  • places: towns, rivers, markets
  • people: mother, father, chief
  • animals: goat, hen, fish

2. Singing Well

  • Listen first.
  • Sing the words clearly.
  • Keep the beat with your hands or feet.
  • Use actions that match the words.
Children singing and clapping in a circle with a drum
Figure 1: Singing songs together Draw your class singing.Illustration: Sirbus

Remember: Songs in our language carry our culture.

New words

song
Words sung with music.
line
One row of words in a song.
place name
The name of a town, river or area.
action
A movement you do while singing.

Summary

  • We sing songs in our Ghanaian language.
  • Songs have names of places, people and animals.
  • We sing clearly and use actions.

Class activity: Sing and Spot

  1. Listen to a song your teacher plays or sings.
  2. Sing it with actions.
  3. Say the names of places you heard in the song.

You need: Locally made song or poem cards, Local drum, Gourd shaker

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. Which is a place name?

    • A. Accra
    • B. Goat
    • C. Mother
    • D. Sing
    Show answer
    Answer: AccraAccra is a city.

  2. 2. What do we use to keep the beat?

    • A. Clapping
    • B. Sleeping
    • C. Reading
    • D. Eating
    Show answer
    Answer: ClappingClapping keeps time.

  3. 3. Songs can teach us new words.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueWe learn words as we sing.

  4. 4. We should sing the words unclearly.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseWe should sing clearly.

  5. 5. One row of words in a song is a ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: lineSongs have many lines.

  6. 6. Name one song you know in your Ghanaian language.

    Show answer
    Answer: Answers will differ.Learners name a familiar song.

Homework

  1. Sing a song in your language for your family.