TOOTY TA

What's the point of doing the "Tooty Ta"?

oral language

auditory memory

phonological awareness

eye-hand coordination

following directions

sequence

pattern

repetition

crossing the midline

friendship

Teachers being REAL and connecting with their students in a FUN way!

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A neighbor said, “I heard your songs are good for children with autism. Do you work with children with autism?” I kept my cool as I responded, “I sing with ALL children. Music is a universal language that helps us love each other.” (I borrowed that “music helps us love each other” from Pete Seeger, but it’s true.)

Where am I going with this? I have a friend with a little granddaughter who has some physical issues and has to wear a brace on her leg. I remind her grandmother to just love her and pretend like there is nothing wrong. In my years as an educator I have seen children with no arms and legs “Tooty Ta” with me. I have had children with no arms write and draw with their toes. I have seen children in wheelchairs picked first to be on a kick ball team. I have had all the boys want to marry my little bald Lauren who had gone through chemotherapy. Why? Because if you don’t tell children they are different they won’t act different. It’s as simple as that!

I've even had teachers on mission trips to countries where children don't speak English send me photos of children enjoying "Tooty Ta."

Tooty Ta
Tooty ta, tooty ta, tooty ta ta. (Children repeat.)
Tooty ta, tooty ta, tooty ta ta.
Thumbs up.
Tooty ta….
Thumbs up…Elbows back.
Tooty ta…
Thumbs up…Elbows back…feet apart.
Song continues as you add knees together, eyes shut, tongue out, turn around.

*Substitute initial consonants or digraphs you want to reinforce in the song. For example, if you substituted /b/ for /t/ it would be “Booty ba, booty ba, booty ba ba…”

BANANA DANCE/ AKA AVOCADO GUACAMOLE

All I can say is I LOVE GUACAMOLE! Who would have thought that a silly camp song would turn into a YouTube hit with teenagers? I realize that they are making fun of me, but if I make them smile and give them a happy memory of their own childhoods then it's all good!

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Form the banana, form, form 

the banana. (Bring your right arm up)
Form the banana, form, form the banana. (Bring your left arm up.)
Peel the banana, peel, peel the banana. (Bring your right arm down.)
Peel the banana, peel, peel the banana. (Bring your left arm down.)
Go bananas, go, go bananas. (Jump around and act crazy!)
Go bananas, go, go bananas.

Form the corn, form, form the corn. (Bring your right arm up.)
Form the corn, form, form the corn. (Bring your left arm up.)
Shuck the corn, shuck, shuck the corn. (Bring your right arm down.)
Shuck the corn, shuck, shuck the corn. (Bring your left arm down.)
Pop the corn, pop, pop the corn. (Jump on the word “pop.”)
Pop the corn, pop, pop the corn.

Form the mango…
Do the tango! (Dance with a partner.)

Form the orange…
Squeeze the orange! (Hug a partner.)

Form the tomato…
“Th” the ketchup! (Thumb down and pretend to shake a ketchup bottle.)

Form the carrot…
Feed the bunny! (Fingers over head like ears.)

Form the avocado…
Guacamole! (Shake your head and arms so your cheeks wiggle.)


WANT MORE?
Marc Lewis created his own version called "Go Bananas"!

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The "Banana Dance" was so popular that we made variations for Halloween and Christmas.

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ALLIGATOR

I don't know why kids love this song, but they just do. 

Alligator (Echo Chant – Children repeat each line.)
Chorus:
Alligator. (Extend arms and open and close like a mouth.)
Alligator.
Alligator.
Can be your friend, can be your friend,
Can be your friend, too! (Point finger.)

The alligator is my friend, (Point to self.)
And he can be your friend, too. (Point to a friend.)
If only you could understand, (Hold up palms.)
Don’t wear him as a shoe!
(Chorus)
The alligator is my friend. (Point to self.)
He likes to dance and flirt. (Shuffle feet and fluff hair.)
If only you could understand, (Hold up palms.)
Don’t wear him as a skirt.
(Chorus)
The alligator is my friend. (Point to self.)
He likes to sing and dance. (Snap fingers and dance.)
If only you could understand, (Hold palms up.)
Don’t wear him as your pants. (Point to pants or legs.)
(Chorus)

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Alphagator Story

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I love letters! How many of you boys and girls love letters? When you learn letters and their sounds you can put them together and make words, and then you can read! Well, once there was an Alphagator and he absolutely adored the letters of the alphabet! He’d eat letters and dream sweet dreams all night long.

On Monday he ate the letters A B C D E F,
But the pointy part of the “A” kept poking his tummy,
And he couldn’t sleep a wink all night long.

On Tuesday he ate the letters G H I J K,
But “H” and “I” made a word and said over and over, “Hi! Hi! Hi!”
And he couldn’t sleep a wink all night long.

On Wednesday he ate the letters L M N O P,
But “O” kept rolling back and forth in his tummy,
And he couldn’t sleep a wink all night long.

On Thursday he ate the letters Q R S T U V,
But “S” kept playing snake in his tummy and going, “Ssssssss!”
And he couldn’t sleep a wink all night long.

On Friday he ate the letters W X Y Z.
Then he closed his eyes and dreamed sweet “Zzzzzzz’s” all night long.
See you later Alphagator!

Directions: Use the link to download the alligator pattern. Cut it out of the front of a file folder. Insert 10 sheets of green paper and print the underlined letters in his stomach so they are displayed as the Alphagator eats them. Glue a copy of the story to the back of the file folder so you can read it as you remove one sheet at a time.

Click to download printable pattern

TODAY IS SUNDAY

This is an old camp song that's good for helping children learn the days of the week. And, yes, going forwards and backwards is actually good for the brain.

Today Is Sunday
Today is Sunday. (Put hands in arm pits and flap
Sunday – chicken. like a chicken.)
All you lucky children,
Well, that’s O.K.

Monday – peanut butter (Extend left hand and spread peanut butter with right hand.)

Tuesday – snap beans (Snap fingers.)

Wednesday – soup (Pretend to slurp soup.)

Thursday – ice cream (Pretend to lick a cone.)

Friday – hotdogs (Slap hands together.)

Saturday - pizza (Extend palm in air as if carrying a pizza.)

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Here's a link so you can download a free book to go with the song:

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Write the days of the week on seven paper plates as shown. Let children draw the foods in the song. Pass these out to seven children and let them stand in front of the room and hold up their plate at the appropriate time in the song.

Calendar Time
Every morning you can sing this song and insert specials for the day.

Today is day of the week.
Day of the week music (P.E., art, etc.)
All you lucky children, well, that's O.K."


My Favorite Foods
Fold two sheets of paper in half and staple to make a book. The children can write a different day on each page and then draw their favorite foods. (The teacher who shared this idea years ago said one little boy who was a picky eater drew macaroni and cheese on every page!)

PEANUT BUTTER

Here's one of my silliest songs that your kids will LOVE! 

(Who wouldn't smile singing about peanut butter on their "underwear"?)

https://bit.ly/drjeanPB

Peanut Butter (Tune: "Allouette")
Peanut butter, we like peanut butter. (Clap hands and march to the beat.)
Peanut butter, that’s what we like best.
Do you like it on your head? (Point to head.)
Yes, we like it on our head.
On your head?
On our head.
Ohhhhhh. (Hands on cheeks and move head from side to side.)

Do you like it on your shirt… (Point to shirt.)

Do you like it on your pants… (Point to pants.)

Do you like it on your socks… (Point to socks.)

Do you like it on your shoes… (Point to shoes.)

On your underwear? (Cover your eyes.)

*Is someone in your room allergic to peanuts? Let them explain what an allergy is and why they can't eat peanut butter. Let them choose another food to insert in the song, such as "macaroni" or "watermelon."

*Tie in with standards by focusing on the questions and statements.

*Cut a sheet of paper in half and then fold in half to make a book. Run off the attached worksheet and let the children put the pictures in the book in sequential order.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljUnlKSkhSUnlyalU/view?usp=sharing

MY MOTHER IS A BAKER

Would you like to know some of my favorite songs and how to use them as a springboard for learning in the coming school year?

First of all!!!  These are just silly songs!  Don't take the lyrics too seriously because the children don't.  They just have fun slurping, whining, and tickling in this song.

My Mother Is a Baker
My mother is a baker, a baker, a baker.
My mother is a baker.
She always goes like this,
“Yum! Yum!”

Father – Trashman -“Pee yew!”

Sister – Singer - “La ta de da…”

Brother –Cowboy - “Yahoo!”

Doggie – Licker – “Slurp! Slurp!”

Kitty – Scratcher – “Hssssss!”

Baby – Whiner - “WAH!”

Grandpa – Engineer – “Toot! Toot!”

Grandma – Tickler 

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CAREER EDUCATION
It's never too early to have children start thinking about careers and what they might want to do one day. In early childhood play encourages children to explore and pretend different roles and occupations.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
What type of things would you like to do in a job?


GUEST SPEAKERS
Invite parents and members of your community to come and speak in your class about their careers.


WHAT'S YOUR BAG?
Give each child a brown paper bag and ask them to interview their parents about their jobs. What do they like best about their job? How did they train for their job? Put a tool, picture, or other object that represents what they do in the bag and share it with classmates.

WHEN I GROW UP!
Have a special day where children dress for the job they'd like to have one day. Ask them why they chose that job, how they will prepare for it, and so forth.

THE WORLD KEEPS CHANGING, BUT CHILDREN ARE THE SAME!

How we treat children is what they will become! 

A friend who taught with me over 50 years ago visited recently and said, “I remember how you would take the most pitiful little child and write on their hand: YOU ARE AMAZING AND WONDERFUL! Or, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! Or, YOU ARE SPECIAL!" She said, “Why did you do that?” My response was, for once in their lives, I wanted them to feel that way. I wanted them to know that someone believed in them. (Now they’d probably throw me in jail for writing on a child’s hand, but you get the point.)




THROWBACK

Pats for Parents

Cut hands out of construction paper. Write positive comments for students and tape them on their backs.


I Am Statements
“I am” statements are another way to encourage positive behavior. (These can be based on your school’s goals or let the children suggest statements.) Write these on a language experience chart and then begin the day by sticking up your thumbs and repeating them.

I am respectful.

I am trustworthy.

I am responsible.

I am fair.

I am caring.

I use good manners.

I use kind words.

I can do it! 

IF YOU LOVE THE LORD!

We sang this song at Bible school this week and the kids loved it.  Alex May created this video for you to use.

https://bit.ly/drJClapHands

MAMA BEARS ARE MAMA BEARS

Kids are kids and parents are parents regardless 

of ability or socioeconomic status.

A teacher once told me that she had taught in low income schools and high income schools and that she had discovered that all parents wanted to protect their children and wanted what was best for their child.  That's why we need to do everything we can to make parents feel like we are "partners" and we think their child is wonderful and amazing!!

I just had to add that baby bears are baby bears regardless of IQ.  Children are children and they want to play and be loved!

Note!  last fall my daughter went to open house at her kids' high school.  One teacher actually said, "Thank you for sharing your child with me this year!"  What a beautiful thought!  

THROWBACK

Everybody lives surprises - especially children! Place a book, natural object, shape, or anything you want to talk about in a gift bag and sing this song:

Surprise Sack
(Tune: “I’m a Little Teapot”)
What’s in the surprise sack who can tell?
Maybe it’s a book or maybe it’s a shell?
What’s in the surprise sack who can see?
It’s something special for you and me!

Give them a few clues and invite children to guess what is in the bag. Slowly pull it out and you’ll have their undivided attention.

Hint! If you go to a conference or take a trip put a small souvenir in a gift bag (book, shell, pencil, toy, etc.) and cover with tissue paper. Children pass the bag around and use a complete sentence to guess what is in the bag. When all have had a turn remove the object and give it to the children like a “present.”

BORROW AND ADAPT

If you ever attended one of my workshops I usually started by telling teachers that they would have to earn a BA and a BS from me.

BA – Borrow and Adapt what I do!
BS – Borrow and Steal what I do!



Where do you think I got 99% of the activities and tips? Yes, from teachers just like you!

Always remember that we have to hold hands and stick together like we tell our children!


THROWBACK

Sitter Spot (You've got to make these this year!)
Cut 8” circles out of fun foam or felt and write the children’s names on them. Arrange for circle time to give children a special place to sit. Arrange spots to disperse problems and encourage social interactions.

*Children can also use these for their “special spot” for doing quiet activities like independent reading.

PEOPLE SING BECAUSE THEY ARE HAPPY!

People sing because they are happy, 

and they are happy because they sing!

Aren't kids great?  Even if you think you "can't sing," they'll think you are a star.  Music is a magical way to create a classroom family.  You can sing to start your day, reinforce a concept, give children a brain break, activate multiple senses, be silly together... You know I could go on all day about this!!!


THROWBACK

Song Pops 

Make these  song pops so you'll always have a song when you need one.  Cut 3" circles out of construction paper.  Write song titles on the circles and glue to craft sticks to make "song pops."  Place in a can and when you need to wiggle and smile pull out a song pop and sing and dance!

HAPPINESS and JOY!

Wouldn't it be amazing if your supervisor or administrator asked, "What did you do to have FUN today? What did you do to make your children happy?"

Unfortunately, "happiness" is not a part of most school curriculums. But, for some children, school is as good as it gets.  Divorce, money issues, and health problems at home can overwhelm children.  As educators, we can't solve all the problems outside of the classroom, but we can cheer, play games, sing songs and give children a little smile every day. 


THROWBACK

Smile Break
When children are wound up, help center them with a smile break. Tell them to look at the clock and smile for 30 seconds. (Use the timer on your phone or have them look at the clock until the big hand is on the 6.)

Babble Break
A brain break that students will love is a “talking break.” Set a timer for one minute or whatever and tell students they can talk with a friend until the timer goes off. Once the time goes off there's no more talking!

Joke Break
Encourage each child to learn a joke that they can share with their classmates. Let children decorate craft sticks with their names and put them in a “Joke Can.” When you have a few extra minutes, choose a stick and let that child tell a joke to the class.




Note!! One year I had an "issue" with an administrator. I happened to be teaching adults at the time and I was standing up for something I believed in. It broke my heart and my spirit, but I will never forget what a student said to me: "Dr. Jean, don't let them take away your joy!" I tell you that because NOBODY CAN EVER TAKE AWAY YOUR JOY IF YOU DON'T LET THEM!!!

ALL CHILDREN ARE GIFTED!

Life and teaching are full of surprises!

Have you ever had a child pick up a book and say, "I can read!" It's a little magic, isn't it?

Have you ever had a child finally put the pieces of writing together and create something that touches your heart?

Have you ever seen a "light bulb" go off in a child's head when you're introducing a new concept?

Have you ever had a shy child finally join in with on a silly song?

Have you ever seen an introverted child go out of their way to help a classmate?

Miracles happen every day, but they don't happen in the same way and in the same order. One size doesn't fit all! That's why it's so important to provide children with many different opportunities and materials to learn.

Give them time.

Don't judge too quickly!

Remember!  All children are GIFTED!   Some just open their gifts a little earlier than others.


THROWBACK

I CAN DO SOMETHING SPECIAL DAY!
Plan a special day where each child is invited to sing, dance, tell a joke, make something, share a hobby, etc. Emphasize that there are many ways to be wonderful!!

Me Box
Spray paint a shoe box gold or silver. Write "ME" on the front with glue and sprinkle with glitter. Write a note similar to the one below and tape it to the inside lid of the box. Choose one child each day to take home the box. Let them share their treasures with classmates the following day.

Dear Parents,
Your child is bringing home the "ME" box today. Please help him/her find
special objects, photographs, or souvenirs to put in the box. Your child will
have the opportunity to share these things with classmates tomorrow, and
then we will return them to you.
Thanks for helping us "celebrate" your child!


*You could also use a gift bag for this activity.

TEACHERS WHO LOVE TEACHING

Good teachers have to be good actors/actresses.  You have to put on a "happy face" each day and tell your students and yourself, "IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT DAY!"  Yes, and sometimes you have to FAKE IT TIL YOU FEEL IT!

You also have to be a good salesperson and SELL children on learning.  They will believe you when you say, "Isn't reading fun?  You love to read just like me!"  Or, "Our room is full of mathematicians!  You can kiss your brain because you are so smart!"

Remember!  The only way to the head is through the heart!

THROWBACK
Positive self-talk is a simple strategy to remind children that they are important and capable. Have children start the day by repeating each line of this chant after you. 

What Are You?
(Adapted from “The Help.”)
Teacher asks: What are you?
Children respond: I am kind. (Touch the heart.)
I am smart. (Touch the head.)
I am important. (Give self a hug.)



Morning Mantra
Teacher: What is my job today?
Children: Your job is to teach us and to love us.
Teacher: What is your job today?
Children: Our job is to learn and to love each other.



Hint! If children are misbehaving you might ask them, "What is your job? Show me how to do your job."

SHUT YOUR DOOR!

Yes, sometimes you just have to SHUT YOUR DOOR, follow your heart, and do what is best for your children. (It also is easier to ask forgiveness than permission!)

Here is a sign that one teacher told me she put on her door. I showed it at a workshop and a participant came up at the end and said, "Dr. Jean, I don't think my principal would like that." Well, sometimes you just have to have a sense of humor!!!

THROWBACK

Let’s Look Important!
Diane Ringer told me she taught her children how to "look important." I think it would be perfect when you have an unexpected visitor walk into your room.

Would you like to know how to look important?
Put your right hand over your heart like this. (Demonstrate)
Put your left hand across your chest and fold your arms like this. (Demonstrate)
Lift up your chin and smile importantly.
Now look at all my important people!

WHAT DO CHILDREN REMEMBER?

DID YOU EVER HAVE A TEACHER THAT THOUGHT YOU WERE WONDERFUL?

DID YOU EVER HAVE A TEACHER THAT DIDN'T LIKE YOU?

I think we've all had teachers that we remember. We recall the ones that made us feel special, and we also remember those that hurt our feelings or belittled us. Those memories are far more significant than the content of what they taught us. It's interesting that when I run into former students and ask what they remember about me, it never has anything to do with what I taught them. It's always about personal memories, funny things I did or said, games or songs...

Think about your special memories from your school days. Can you share them with your students this coming school year?

THROWBACK
Place a hand mirror in the bottom of a shoebox and put the lid on top. Explain that the most wonderful thing in the whole world is in the box. “It’s so special there’s only one like it in the world!” Watch children’s smiles as they open the box and see their faces! End by singing this song.



I Am Special (Tune: "Frere Jacques" - Children repeat each line.)
I am special. I am special.
Take a look. You will see.
Someone very special. Someone very special.
And it’s me! And it’s me!

*Do a language experience activity where each child completes this sentence:
I am special because ____________.

RABBIT TRAPS

                                

Wood Smethurst was one of my favorite professors at Emory University. His area of expertise was reading, but he didn't push phonics and skills. He focused on the LOVE of reading! For every child there is a topic or book that they are interested in, and the trick is to match up what the child is interested in with a book. Nope! Not a website or game - a HOLD IN YOUR HANDS AND TURN THE PAGE book!

As educators, you don't have a lot of choice in the curriculum your district/state chooses or the standards that guide instruction. Your challenge is to think of a "rabbit trap" that will interest your students and engage them in the learning process. All children are different and might be tempted by different "rabbit traps." That's why providing children with a wide range of learning opportunities (hands-on, games, partner projects, songs, etc.) is so critical. And that's why making those personal connections with each child and discovering what makes them "tick" is more important than any check list!


THROWBACK

There are tons of "rabbit traps" on my blog (drjeanandfriends.blogspot.com). This paper plate game is easy to make and can be adapted for any skill, such as letters, shapes, numbers, sight words, math facts, etc.


Directions: Do you remember the old game where you placed chairs in a circle and walked around until the music stopped? If you didn’t find a chair you were OUT! This is a similar game that can reinforce letters, words, colors, math facts, etc. Scatter the paper plates on the floor. Play some catchy music for the children to dance to. When the music stops each child finds a paper plate and picks it up. The teacher randomly points to a few children to identify the information on their plates. Have the children place the plates back on the floor and continue dancing.
*If the child is unsure about what is on their plate, invite them to “ask the audience.”

WORDS OF WISDOM

What a crazy world we live in!  It makes me sad when I hear that they've taken blocks and housekeeping out of kindergarten. It makes me sad that teachers don't have time to sing and dance because they are so busy pushing skills. It makes me sad that children are tapping and swiping instead of doing puzzles or creating with play dough. It makes me sad that we are focusing on what's wrong with children instead of what's right with children!

I have some "words of wisdom" from over five+ decades as an educator and seven+ decades as a human being that I'd like to share with you.  (These are thoughts that I wish I could impart to education decision makers as well!) 

I hope to fill your heart, encourage you, and help you remember why you became a teacher. 

Note!  I'll also do a daily "throw back" idea. What's that? It's some "antique" activity from my "old" workshops that should not be forgotten.

 

What was your favorite thing about school when you were young? Treasure those times and promise yourself to try and share those special memories with your children this coming school year.


THROWBACK
Read the book THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD. Explain that in our classroom everyone says "I CAN" like the little engine.

Hint! Remind the children that we are AmeriCANS and not Americant's!

I Think I Can (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
I think I can are words I like to say.
I think I can are words I like to say.
In time I’ll get it right if I try with all my might.
I think I can are words I like to say.

Hint! Cover a Pringle's can with paper and glue on googly eyes. Pass the “eye can” around and encourage the children to complete this sentence: I CAN________.

 

Nursery Rhyme Collection

Here is a video of several nursery rhymes for you and your students.

Click to view video

Click to download printable

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