Quick Lesson Overview:
This song-based activity STEP-BY-STEP LESSON PLAN for ENGLISH language TEACHING features the lyrics and video for two songs: “Six Feet Apart” by Alec Benjamin, and another with the same title by Luke Combs. Students TALK about social distancing, LISTEN to the songs and identify an idiom, and DO a Cambridge English: First (FCE) Reading and Use of English Part 7 exercise with the lyrics of both songs.
OBS: This lesson plan was made to be used for ONLINE TEACHING WITH ZOOM features like ZOOM WHITEBOARD, ZOOM SCREEN and AUDIO SHARE, but it can be modified for face-to-face instruction, as well.
Language level: (B1+ B2)
Learner type: All ages
Skills: speaking, reading, listening
Topic: Social distancing
Language: Idiom (an elephant in the room) and music
Materials: Youtube videos and worksheet
Duration: 1 hour – 1h 30 min
Downloadable materials: instructions.pdf; Reading p7 worksheet.pdf
Check Out The Video Tutorial For This Lesson Plan
How to Teach English with Songs for B1+B2: Step-by-Step Instructions
PART 1 – Social Distancing
Step 1.(5 min)
Write SOCIAL DISTANCING on the White board. Ask students to explain what it is
(Social distancing, or physical distancing involves keeping a distance of six feet or two meters from others and avoiding gathering together in large groups to prevent the spread of a contagious disease)
Step 2 (10 min)
Show them the following questions to discuss in pairs (breakout rooms):
1 - What is the most difficult thing for you about “social distancing”? 2 - What do you miss the most about your life before covid-19 and the social distancing?
After some time, have the pairs share with the whole class.
PART 2 – The elephant in the room
Step 3 (5 min)
Write; “ AN ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM” on the board and ask students if they know the meaning of this informal expression. According to the Cambridge dictionary online, “If you say there is an elephant in the room, you mean that there is an obvious problem or difficult situation that people do not want to talk about.”
Example: My parents’ divorce was the elephant in the room at the family dinner.
Step 4 (5 min)
Tell them that 2 songs with the same title “six feet apart” were written by two different artists (don’t tell them the names), and that you are going to play 1 min of the two songs. As they listen to the songs they have to identify which one has “the elephant in the room” expression. (ANSWER: song 2)
OBS: use the SHARE AUDIO feature.
SONG 1
SONG 2
Step 5 (5 min)
Ask them if they recognized the singers (Luke Combs and Alec Benjamin). Tell them you are going to play 1 minute of the two songs again, and they have to take quick notes about each one saying if they liked it or not and why to discuss later.
Step 6 (5 – 10)
In small groups (breakout rooms), students share their opinions about the 2 songs and have a vote on the group’s favorite. After some time, get the feedback from the whole class and play the winning song entirely.
PART 3 – Reading and Use of English – part 7 (Cambridge English: First)
Step 7 (15 min)
Tell students they are going to work with the lyrics of the two songs like part 7 of the Cambridge English: First (FCE) Reading and Use of English. Share (hand out) the worksheet pdf file with your students. And give them some time to do it. Worksheet LINK
After some time, check the exercises.
ANSWER KEY: 1D 2A (3B 4D or 3D 4B) 5C 6B 7E 8F 9C 10A
Step 8 (5 min)
Have students talk about the similarities and the differences between the two songs.
Song Activity Factory 
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