What Are You Called?
| Function: Song/Activity | Words: 63 | Duration: 2:02 | Sample:
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| Aim: Show there is more than one way to ask someone's name. | ||||
Who are you? What's Your name?
(fade in fast chant)Who are you?
What's your name?
Who are you?
What's your name?
Who are you?
What's your name?
Who are you?Tell me your name
Tell me your name
Tell me your nameWhat are you called?
What are you called?
What are you called?(all questions mixed)
Excuse me, who are you?
Usage
While this song can be taught in a conventional way another possibility is to sit everyone in a circle and stand in the middle with a toy microphone. Walk around the inside of the circle pause and ask either "What's your name?" or "Who are you?" depending upon which one is more familiar. Point the microphone as if conducting an interview but don't hand it over. When everyone is comfortable with the format start the track, go back to walking around the circle and sing the song. After singing each line quickly point the microphone at someone and see if they can answer with their name. The song is arranged so there is a mini-guitar riff between each question. This provides space to answer. Keep walking, singing and pointing until the song is done. After the song is over go back to asking questions without music. Go with the familiar question but once a rhythm is established slip in one of the new questions from the song. It's very likely that someone will be able to work out to give their name as an answer. Give a lot of appreciation when this happens.
Variations(untried!)
Divide into two groups. The first group stands at one end of the room. The second group lines up facing the first group. The first group sings the song and after each line the head of the line answers with his or her name. After giving an answer the head of the line races to the back of the line and the line shuffle forward. To make this even more game like have a hoop for the name giver to jump in and out of, or, alternatively, have a buffet that the name giver can climb onto and then jump off. Do the song twice so everyone experiences both roles.
With a small group have a ball (or other object) to pass around. The person with the ball skips singing a question but after the line is sung quickly jumps up and shouts an answer and then passes the ball to the next player.
Note: Many teachers insist on children giving full answers to questions. For example, "What's your name?" "My name is Chris" This is not very natural. Making a statement and then asking a question is fine but I think where one word answers are natural they should be accepted and even encouraged. The timing in this song assume giving a one word answer only.
