THE HENDERSON LAMPLIGHTER HOMEPAGE

THE HENDERSON LAMPLIGHTER STORY

Chanting, rapping and singing in the classroom for English proficiency and how it lead to the nationally acclaimed Show Choir

The following web page contains information on the Henderson Lamplighter Show Choir. The goal of this Web site is to spread the news of our musical message of positive thinking to the greatest possible number of people and offer our show to those who might be interested. 13 years ago I began my career as an E.S.0.L. teacher embracing the whole language approach. I wanted my middle school students, ages 11 to 15, to believe that a positive attitude and persistent hard work would gain for them the "Good life", the good life being whatever they chose it to be, and that they were certainly entitled to it.

The singing actually began in the classroom

as an attempt to accomplish two objectives:

To create a fun and exiting way to build language and learn required content, (an anchor for memory which I call Rhythmic Associative Learning

To offer the second Language learner an opportunity to practice vocalizing English in a non-threatening way, thus, reducing the silent period common to young second Language learners.

It was a tremendous success with the students, and a whole lot of fun for everyone. Because of the growing popularity of using song to learn English, it was decided by my students and myself to begin singing as an after school extracurricular activity. I had only twelve singers in 1988, used only maracas and a collection of songs that I had written to teach everything from European explorers to metamorphic rocks in the form of Jazz chants, modern rap and rock and roll. As the numbers grew from 12 to 20 to 30 to 40, I decided to purchase a keyboard and began writing songs that would touch both the hearts of the singers as well as those that would bless us with an audience. The students inspired me in such a way that could only be described as magical. Few things in life have brought me such joy and pleasure as hearing 40 young middle school learners sing my songs.

Thank You,

Jim Marshall

Lamplighter Director/Song Writer