- Definition
A chant is like a simple song or rhythmic speaking, often using just a few notes, that can be repeated over and over. Think of it like a rhythmic phrase or a simple, repeated tune.
The rhythmic cheer a crowd yells at a basketball game, like 'De-fense, de-fense,' is a type of chant.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A chant is like the rhythmic cheers a crowd yells together at a sports game.
Ask your child: How does a chant sound different from a regular pop song?
Common mix-up: Kids might think chants are just simple playground rhymes. Chants can actually be complex musical forms with a lot of history, like the music sung by monks.
Examples
- A protest group repeating a phrase together to get their message across.
- The call-and-response phrases used in military marching drills.
chant is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
