Teach-Primary-Issue-19.7

Singing Games for 3–7 from Out of the Ark is a complete package designed for Nursery through to the end of Key Stage 1. It combines a collection of lively songs with interactive games that get children singing, moving and learning together. Everything is delivered through the Words on Screen eSongbook (also available as a physical book and CD), which contains audio tracks, lyrics, scores and clear guidance, and the online portal is simple to navigate. For teachers, it is a genuine timesaver without sacrificing quality. The songs themselves are a joy. They are instantly catchy, easy to pick up and created with younger children in mind. There is plenty of variety, too, from upbeat rhythms to gentler pieces, all designed to get children actively involved. Marvellous Machine is one I found myself humming days after I first listened to it, with fun lyrics and a steady beat that children will enjoy clapping along to. The songs have lots of links to core learning areas. North, East, South, West is a standout for teaching positional language, with children clapping in the direction of each compass point as they sing. It is such a simple yet effective way to reinforce vocabulary and spatial awareness. Crossing the River encourages pupils to move together, listen carefully and work as a team. These kinds of activities show just how well the collection blends fun with learning. The teacher support is another strength. Each game comes with clear notes that explain how it works, what equipment might be needed and which skills it helps to develop. That level of detail is invaluable when time is short, which it so often is for teachers. It removes the stress of extra planning by providing everything you need in a purposeful, high-quality way. Flexibility is also built in. The games can be played indoors or outdoors, in small groups or whole-class sessions, and there are always ideas for extending the activity further. I Spy is a brilliant game for phonics because it is so adaptable. You can choose to focus on letter names, phonemes, or both, depending on the needs of your class. With a Year 2 group, you might emphasise letter names, while with a Nursery class, you could stick to phonemes to build early sound recognition. Mirror My Moves , on the other hand, develops observation skills and turn-taking in a way that feels fun and collaborative. The fact that you can adapt the same material for different settings means this is not a resource you will use once and put away, but something you will return to again and again. Singing Games for 3-7 manages to be practical, engaging and thoughtful all at once. It saves teachers time, supports classroom learning and gives children songs they will genuinely love to sing. A collection of lively songs and interactive games to delight children fromNursery through KS1 AT A GLANCE MUS I C 12 songs plus a bonus track designed for ages 3-7 Available as eSongbook, CD, and book with audio, lyrics, and scores Teacher notes with clear instructions and extension ideas Activities suited to classrooms, halls, or outdoor spaces Supports EYFS and KS1 learning through music and play outoftheark.com 020 8481 7200 orders@outoftheark.com Combines fun with purposeful learning opportunities Adaptable across year groups and subjects High-quality production with resources that are ready to go A brilliant way to bring music and games into everyday teaching A thoughtfully designed package that saves teachers time …you want a ready-to-use, high- quality music resource that blends singing, movement, and learning in ways children enjoy and teachers can use straight away. VERD I CT YOU ’ LL LOVE TH I S I F . . . REVIEWED BY: EMMA THOMPSON MyWorld: Singing Games “The teacher support is another strength. Each game comes with clear notes” 96 | www.teachwire.net RE V I EWS