Here is an interesting way to teach language to fourth graders, through popular music lyrics. DP
By Stephen Stirling
timesledger.com: Jon Bon Jovi is no Shakespeare, but for students of Roxanne Basandella, it hardly matters.
On. Dec. 18, Basandella was awarded the 2007 New York State English Council's Elementary School Teacher of the Year Award. And for what? Using the New Jersey-born rocker's lyrical prowess to teach her students about literary devices and grammar
"Really it all came to fruition through Bon Jovi," Basandella said. "I'm not into the classic poets. When we read through Bon Jovi and I'm playing the songs and dancing around, they get so excited. I use as much Bon Jovi as they will allow me to."
Basandella has taught fourth grade at the Drexel Avenue School in Westbury, L.I., for the last 12 years. She said her students have a diverse background and many of them are immigrants who are learning English as a second language, which presents unique challenges when teaching literature and grammar.
She said while more traditionally taught literature can often be too complex, Bon Jovi is just right.
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