In 2014, a digital red balloon was launched into the internet space. The goal was simple yet profound: to teach preschoolers and kindergarten students English through the rhythm and joy of music.
Years have passed since the pages of this CLIL method book were first shared here and although this space remained quiet, the music never stopped playing. It found its own path into classrooms and homes globally - from the USA and Greece, to Russia, France, Germany and Hong Kong to mention but a few, proving that authentic educational ideas and materials have their own lasting rhythm.
Today, this journey continues with a new musical step, since Music connects us all.
Originally composed for a European eTwinning project to bring classrooms closer together through collaboration, communication, shared learning and creativity (4Cs) and taking into account my students' reaction to it, I wanted to share my Multilingual Good Morning & Welcome Song for Kids with you too. The melody weaves 6 European languages - English, French, Greek, Italian, German, and Irish Gaelic - into a single greeting. Designed for preschool, kindergarten and elementary classrooms, this piece aims to give young learners a warm and lyrical start to their school day (morning routine song) and is also ideal for the European Day of Languages celebration.
You can listen to the composition and watch the video with me playing the tune on the piano here:
You may also read the lyrics and find the relevant multilingual handout below:
Good morning, bonjour, καλημέρα (kalimera), buongiorno, Guten Morgen, welcome to our school!
Good morning, bonjour, καλημέρα (kalimera), buongiorno, Maidin mhaith, (it's) nice to meet you! Hurray!
Thank you for keeping this red balloon flying silently across the world for over a decade and keeping the pages of this digital book alive.
Angheliki Fotini Sartaridou (Αγγελική Φωτεινή Σαρταρίδου)
Author of "One Two Red Balloon - Let's play music and learn English!"
EFL Kindergarten Teacher - CLIL / Pianist & Composer / Creator
