DENTAL HEALTH MONTH

February is National Children’s Dental Health month. How timely with all the Valentine candy!
There’s a great website with lots of free activity sheets in English and Spanish to get you started. The daily calendar is my favorite.

https://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/national-childrens-dental-health-month

Here are some other websites with free lesson plans:

https://www.dentalcare.com/en-us/patient-education/childrens-dental-health/lesson-plans

https://www.dentalcare.com/en-us/patient-education/childrens-dental-health/lesson-plans

Vocabulary
What is a dentist? What is a hygienist? What is plaque? What is decay? What is a filling?

Brainstorm
Why do we need teeth? What do we use our mouths for? 

Guest Speaker
Call your personal dentist and ask her if she’d like to visit your class to discuss good oral health. You might be surprised that she’d be thrilled to be invited and will bring each of your students a toothbrush and toothpaste.

Tooth Puppet
Let children make a “happy tooth puppet” and talk about nutritious foods. What foods cause decay?

T-Chart
Have children make a t-chart of foods that are good for teeth and foods that harm teeth.

Dental Health (Stephanie Velasquez) 
Glue the cut out of a white tooth on a colored sheet of paper and place in a clear sheet protector. Let the children color the tooth with a dry erase marker to represent the “germs" on the tooth after they eat. Children use a toothbrush to erase the germs. 

This Is the Way We Brush Our Teeth
(Tune: “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush”)

This is the way we brush our teeth, 
Brush our teeth, brush our teeth.
This is the way we brush our teeth
Every morning and evening.

First the fronts and then the sides.
Don’t forget the tops and inside.
First the fronts and then the sides.
Don’t forget the tops and inside.

This is the way we brush our teeth, 
Brush our teeth, brush our teeth.
This is the way we brush our teeth 
Two minutes twice a day.

Now we have happy teeth,

Happy teeth, happy teeth.
Now we have happy teeth
Give a great big smile!

COMPLIMENT DAY AND KAZOOS

What do compliments and kazoos have in common? They are both holidays you can celebrate the end of January.

Compliment Day January 24th

This would be a good day to talk about what a compliment is. How do you feel when someone gives you a compliment? What are some different ways you can compliment someone? How many compliments can you give during the day?

Compliment Jar
Get a clear jar and a bag of gems. Whenever someone compliments your class put a "gem" in the jar. When the jar is full the children get a special reward such as a popcorn party, extra recess, etc.

*You can use cotton balls, marbles, or other items for the compliment jar.

Hint! Be sure and let your special teachers and other school staff know about your gem jar so they can compliment your class when they EARN it.

Compliment Board (Kalli Lemley)
To encourage kindness and appreciation for others, place a bulletin board outside the room dedicated to compliments to each other. Vary the theme throughout the year:
“Leaf a compliment.” (Leaves)
“Snow’s some kindness.” (Snowflakes)
“Send a ray of sunshine.” (Sunshines)
“Watch our friendship grow.” (Flowers)

National Kazoo Day January 28th

Ask your students to bring in paper towel rolls. (For sanitary reasons it is best to collect paper towel rolls rather than TP rolls!) Cut the paper towel rolls in half and punch a hole ¾” from the top. Let children decorate the cardboard rollers with markers or crayons. Cut 6” circles out of wax paper and use a rubber band to attach to one end of the roller and you’re ready to hum. March around the room as you hum some of your favorite songs.

Play “name that tune” as different students stand up and try to stump their classmates by humming a familiar tune.

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!

WHAT DO YOU DO IF CHILDREN DON'T SING?

This question frequently comes up - especially at the beginning of the school year. I'm always hesitant to give advice when it comes to behavioral issues because you really need to know the age level, classroom situation, and individual child before passing judgement. However, I'll do my best to explain why some children don't sing. When I do free concerts at schools, 95% of the children are right with. There are a few that look at me like I’m nuts, but I ignore them and by the end of the concert I’ve usually got most of them to smile and sing.

First of all, look in the mirror and ask yourself, “Am I capturing the children’s attention? Am I enthusiastic? Would I want to sing with me if I were a child? Are my songs engaging and FUN?” No matter how entertaining you are, there might be one or two children that don’t participate. My best advice would be to ignore them. I don’t think you should ever force children to sing or make it a power struggle. Focus on the positive with comments like, “The more you sing the happier you will be.” “Singing is good for the brain and will help you learn.” “Music helps us love each other.”

Second, think about why a child might not be singing.

*If you’ve ever taught a selected mute (child who refuses to speak), you might as well accept their silence because there’s not a thing you can do about it.

*Perhaps a child feels shy. Give them a little time and they may feel more comfortable and confident in joining group activities.

*Divide and conquer! Sometimes you’ll have two children that will sabotage everything you do when they sit next to each other. Separate them!

*Have a little chat and ask the child why she isn't singing.

*Ask children what their favorite song is and incorporate that into your music program.

*Provide musical instruments or other props that might get children involved. (This could be as simple as paper plates or tissue paper streamers.)

*Offer a wide range of music and movement activities, such as chants, dances, exercises, hand clap games, etc. There’s usually some special song that will capture their interest. (“The Banana Dance,” “Peanut Butter,” or my cheers usually do the trick for me.)

*Discuss the issue with parents. Sometimes the child won’t sing at school, but they sing the songs at home. By providing parents with lyrics to songs they can enjoy the music at home with their child.

*One first grade teacher said she used a behavior system in her classroom where the children moved their clothespin from green, to yellow, to red. The students learned if they were on yellow or red and they participated enthusiastically in music they got to move their clothespin back up to green. She said it worked like a charm for her.

Every class, every child, every situation is unique. Put on a happy face and act like singing is the most fun thing in the world!!! Because it is!!!

SHUT YOUR DOOR AND SING LOUD!

LISTEN UP!

Bill Cosby had it right when he said that children were "parent deaf." Sometimes they are "teacher deaf" as well. K.J. is often so busy saying, "What?" that it seems he doesn't bother to listen at all. There is a funny story called BENDEMOLENA (THE CAT WHO WORE A POT ON HER HEAD). Do you have any students that seem to be wearing pots on their heads?


*Try lowering your voice. Remind children to listen with their eyes, ears, and bodies. (You might need to have a class discussion about what that means.)

*Make a copy of a giant ear and tape it to a stick. When you hold up the ear children know they need to listen with big ears!

*Focus children’s attention, and then practice giving directions ONE time. If children need a prompt, invite another student to repeat what you have said.

*Occasionally, have children close their eyes when you read a story. Can they make pictures in their brain? Can they identify story elements? Can they retell the sequence?

*Sing songs or say nursery rhymes with your eyes closed.


Here are some other activities to encourage children to listen up!

Mystery Sounds - Ask children to close their eyes. Walk around the room making different noises (open the door, ring a bell, sharpen a pencil) while children identify what you are doing.


Sound Walk - Take the children on a “silent” nature walk. Challenge them
to remember all the sounds that they can hear. Make a list of all the sounds when you return to the classroom.


Story Sounds - Invite the children to add sounds as you read a story. Prompt
them before you read by telling them to roar for the dinosaur, squeak for the mouse, or snap for rain.


Animal Sounds - Learning animal sounds is a natural way to develop language
and listening skills. Sing songs such as “Old MacDonald” and play “Guess Who I Am?” where children make animal noises for their friends to identify.


Name That Tune
Demonstrate how to play this game by humming the tune to familiar songs. Let children take turns humming tunes as their classmates guess the name of the song.

Gossip - Have children sit in a circle. Whisper a simple message in the first child’s ear. That child passes the message to the person sitting next to them and so on around the circle. The last child repeats what she heard, which is usually far from the original whisper.


Perfect Pitch - Hum a note and ask children to join in. Vary the pitch from high to low. You can also use a xylophone or other class instrument to play this game.


To Grandmother’s House We Go -Place 5-10 objects on a table or shelf in a far corner of the room. Have your class sit with you in the opposite corner of the room. Take a basket or grocery sack and that they are going to get to take turns going to grandmother’s house. “We’re going to pretend that grandmother lives over there in the other side of the room.” One at a time select a child to go to grandmother’s. Give her the bag and name one thing that you want her to get for you at grandmother’s. Explain that you’ll only tell her one time, so she’ll have to listen very carefully. Instruct the rest of the class to sit quietly so they can remember to see if she gets the right thing. The child skips across the room, selects the named object, puts it in the bag, and returns to the teacher. Cheer if she remembers the correct object.

*Start with one object and make it increasingly difficult by adding more objects or descriptive words. For example, “Bring me something that is red and grows on a tree.” “Bring me the book, the block, and the blue crayon.”

COMPLIMENT AND KAZOO DAY

Here's another special day you won't want to forget. January 24 is Compliment Day and it would be a good time to talk about what a compliment is. How do you feel when someone gives you a compliment? What are some different ways you can compliment someone? How many compliments can you give during the day?

Compliment Jar
Get a clear jar and a bag of gems. Whenever someone compliments your class put a "gem" in the jar. When the jar is full the children get a special reward such as a popcorn party, extra recess, etc.

*You can use cotton balls, marbles, or other items for the compliment jar.

Hint! Be sure and let your special teachers and other school staff know about your gem jar so they can compliment your class when they EARN it.


Compliment Board (Kalli Lemley)
To encourage kindness and appreciation for others, place a bulletin board outside the room dedicated to compliments to each other. Vary the theme throughout the year:
“Leaf a compliment.” (Leaves)
“Snow’s some kindness.” (Snowflakes)
“Send a ray of sunshine.” (Sunshines)
“Watch our friendship grow.” (Flowers)


How could you miss celebrating National Kazoo Day on January 28th?



Ask your students to bring in paper towel rolls. (For sanitary reasons it is best to collect paper towel rolls rather than TP rolls!) Cut the paper towel rolls in half and punch a hole ¾” from the top. Let children decorate the cardboard rollers with markers or crayons. Cut 6” circles out of wax paper and use a rubber band to attach to one end of the roller and you’re ready to hum. March around the room as you hum some of your favorite songs.

Play “name that tune” as different students stand up and try to stump their classmates by humming a familiar tune.

DRUM ROLL!!!

Here's a new video my webmaster (Alex May) just created with winter jokes and riddles. We hope it puts a smile on some child's face this coming week.

Here is link for video with no audio -

https://bit.ly/Jan2023Jokes01

Here is link for video with audio -

https://bit.ly/Jan2023Jokes02

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

O.K., it’s almost the end of the school year and you’re just trying to hang in there. I’ve got a simple holiday that you can celebrate to engage your students.

May 22 is “Buy a Musical Instrument Day,” but I’ve changed it to “Make a Musical Instrument Day.”

Tin Pan Band
Get out the junk box and invite children to create a musical instrument.

*For homework ask families to create a musical instrument.


Classroom Objects
Challenge children to look around the classroom and find something they can use to make music.

*Two paper plates, cups, craft sticks, pencils, or blocks can be used to tap out a beat or repeat a pattern.

Body Parts
Brainstorm body parts can they “play” to make music. Snap fingers, clap hands, thump fists, stomp feet, and so forth.

Loud and Soft
What child hasn't wanted to be a conductor? Let them take turns leading their classmates as they play instruments. Demonstrate when the conductor's arms are open they should play loud, but when the conductor puts her hands close together they should play softly.

WHAT'S A TOOT-A-ROO?

Sorry!  No "academic" ideas today, but these crafts will add a smile to any day.

Tootaroo
Cut paper towel rolls in half and then let children decorate with markers and stickers. When a student accomplishes a skill or the class does outstanding work you can get out your tootaroos to celebrate.

*Pretend to hold like a trumpet as you go, "Toot toot toot toot a roo!"

Hummers/Kazoos
Cut the paper towel rolls in half and punch a hole ¾” from the top. Let children decorate the cardboard rollers with markers or crayons. Cut 6” circles out of wax paper and use a rubber band to attach to one end of the roller and you’re ready to hum. March around the room as you hum some of your favorite songs.

*Play “name that tune” as different students stand up and try to stump their classmates by humming a familiar tune.

Drum Sticks
Who doesn’t want to be a drummer? Children can decorate cardboard rollers and then use them like drum sticks to keep time to music or march around the room.

Rainbow Wand
Cut the rim off one half of a paper plate. Let children decorate it like a rainbow, and then staple on tissue paper as shown. Put on some beautiful music and let the magic begin.

SEL AND EF?

So, what do social emotional learning and executive function have in common? Feeling good about yourself and learning how to cooperate and work with others are paramount in every person's life. But how are children ever going to develop these skills as they sit in front of a screen? Here are a few simple strategies that might brighten your school day and nurture the WHOLE child.

Social Play
Vygotsky maintained that dramatic play is where children learn to regulate themselves. They take on imaginary roles and must stick to their roles and adjust to changing plots. 

Note! Isn't it frustrating that every expert on SEL and EF emphasize the importance of play, while increasingly play is disappearing from our classrooms and children’s lives!!!


Sing and Dance
Music is the perfect opportunity for students to learn to follow directions and develop self-regulation.


IPhone
You can use a play phone or make your own "I" phone similar to the one below.  Start each day by passing the phone around the class and asking each child to say a sentence about what they want to learn or do that day. “I …..” Only the person holding the phone is allowed to talk!




Classroom Experts (Karen Stone)
Every student can see themselves as an “expert” with this idea. Make a poster with areas of expertise, such as cutting, writing numerals, writing letters, spelling, tying shoes, etc. Children get to sign their name and put their picture on the poster where they feel they are an expert. Students must consult at least “3 experts” before asking the teacher.

Compliment Circle
Children sit in a circle and the teacher begins by giving a child a compliment. The first child then passes on a compliment to another friend and so on until everyone has had a turn giving and receiving a compliment.
*Let children toss a sponge ball or bean bag around as they compliment each other.
*Give a “hand hug.” Teacher squeezes the first child’s hand, then
they continue to pass the “hand hug” around the circle until it gets
back to the teacher.
*Let each child “pass” a smile around the room.

Brain Hug
Teach children how to give themselves a “brain hug” and you will also help them gain self-control and center themselves.
     Thumbs up. (Extend arms in front of you with thumbs up.)
     Thumbs down.
     Cross your wrists.
     Clasp fingers.
     Bring your clasped fingers down and in towards your chest and hug yourself.

Pat on the Back
Students raise their right hand, stretch it across their body, and pat their left shoulder as they say, “Good job! Good job!”



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

KEEP ON SINGING AND DANCING

One day when Holly was little and just "piddling" like little kids do, my husband asked, "What are you doing?" She replied, "I don't know what I'm doing...I'm just doing!" Well, that's kind of how things went when I made my CDs. I never intended to make one, and here I was making my third one. I didn't know what I was doing, but I just kept on singing and dancing.

All I can say is THANK YOU!!!!

Titles on this recording include:

1. Hello, Neighbor
2. I Know an Old Lady
3. The Opposite Song
4. Let Me See You Boogaloo
5. I Am the Music Cantor
6. I’m a Nut
7. Wally Acha
8. Peanut Butter
9. Alphabet Forwards and Backwards
10. Boom Chica Boom
11. Have You Ever Been Fishing?
12. The First 12 Days of School
13. May There Always Be Sunshine

 

Click here to see all the ways you can access the songs on Keep on Singing.

 

SILLY SONGS TO SING ALONG

 

SILLY SONGS was the first recording I made over 20 years ago.  (I guess that's why I look so young in the picture!)  When people introduce me as a musician I say, "Oh, no, I'm not a musician.  I'm just a teacher who likes to sing."  I can't play an instrument, but I was blessed to hook up with a talented arranger named Mark Dye.  He deserves all the credit for the simple, yet engaging, musical arrangements on all my CDs.  

Back in the 90's songs were a major part of workshops I did for teachers.  They would often ask, "Do you have a tape with your songs?"  (Yes, now you know how OLD I was because CDs were just becoming popular.)  I finally decided, "O.K.  I'll just make one tape with some of my favorite silly songs."  (That was back in the day when happy and engaged children were more important than academics.)

It was a big investment for our family, and when the recording arrived I was so proud to play it for my father (also my biggest fan).  As he listened a huge smile was on his face and he said, "Jean, is that you?"  "Yes," I replied.  "What are you going to do with it?" he asked.  I said, "I'm going to sell them at my workshops."  His response was, "Oh, honey, nobody's going to pay money for that (dirty word he liked to say) thing."

Well, guess what they did!  And now thanks to technology it's yours to download for your music library or to stream directly to your device.

Titles on this recording include:

1. I Like You, There’s No Doubt About It
2. The Alligator Count
3. The Cool Bear Hunt
4. Katalina Matalina
5. Over in the Meadow
6. Bringing Home a Baby Bumble Bee
7. I Wish I Had a Little Red Box
8. The Butterfly
9. Tiny Tim the Turtle
10. Twink a Link
11. Baby Fish
12. The Three Boppin Bears Rap
13. Hello, How Are You
14. La De Da De Da
15. Silly Willy
16. Pepperoni Pizza
17. The Beaver Call
18. The Bear Went Over the Mountain
19. Five Fish Swimming in the Sea
20. I Wish I Were
21. Bubblegum
22. The African Village Song
23. It Is Time to Say Good-Bye

Just click here to see all the ways you can now access my songs from the Silly Songs CD.

 

 

A SMILE AND A SONG!

A SMILE AND A SONG

JUNE AND JULY 2021

It’s interesting that several years ago when I was invited to do a workshop for a school district an administrator said, “I don’t want any of that singing and dancing and holding hands.” That’s exactly what children need now!! They need to laugh, and have fun with their friends, and sing, and dance!!

I've heard teachers say, "I CAN’T SING! " Well, I can’t sing either, but that’s what’s great about kids. They don’t care about your voice or tune as long as you are enthusiastic! There are many activities you might not be able to do this coming school year, but one thing that we can all do is SING and DANCE. In person, on the screen or even with a mask - here are some reasons why you should sing.

HOW can MUSIC support active learning in the classroom 

and give your children a smile!

1.  When you sing your brain emits endorphins, and endorphins make you happy! Emotions are critical to learning, and music can brighten the school day.

2.  Music is multi-sensory. When children move, dance, and wiggle, more senses are activated and the message is more likely to get to the brain.

3. Music and movement activities are great for cardio, eye-hand coordination, flexibility, strength, and body spatial awareness.

4. Through music children can develop social skills as they learn to cooperate with classmates and listen and follow directions.

5. Music nurtures reading skills such as phonemic awareness (alliteration, rhyme, etc.), oral language, and auditory memory.

6. Children are able to use their imaginations and create pictures in their brains when they sing. They can learn to express themselves in positive ways as they move and dance.

7. Repetition is a key to learning. It is much more fun to repeat songs than worksheets!

8. Singing and dancing can relieve stress and oxygenate the brain. Songs are a perfect “brain break” to help children release wiggles.

9. Songs are powerful way for children and teachers to enjoy something together! Music can bind hearts and create positive memories.

10. Through music and movement ALL children can feel successful.



Someone once asked me what I did to adapt my songs for children with special needs. I smiled and said, "I don't." Music is a universal language, and I just put it out there. I've had children in wheelchairs, children with no arms, children who are visually impaired, children with emotional issues...sing and dance with me because they are children first. The music touches their hearts and makes them one with everyone else. And here's a sweet comment from a teacher I'll never forget. She said, "I have a little boy who has limited speech and movement, but I know he's singing and dancing with us in his head."

 

During the upcoming weeks I will provide links to all of the songs on my CDs.  I'll also suggest follow-up activities and materials.  You can put these in your "back to school" bag and be ready for a great year!!!

I CAN'T SING!

I CAN’T SING!

 

That’s fine because I can’t sing either!  (You wouldn’t believe the nasty comments that people have made on my videos!)  Little kids are the best because they don’t care about your voice or tune as long as you are enthusiastic!

 

There are many activities you will not be able to do this coming school year, 

but one thing that we can all do is SING and DANCE.  In person or on the screen, here are some reasons why you should sing.

 

HOW can MUSIC support active learning 

in the classroom?

 

1. When you sing your brain emits endorphins, and endorphins make you happy!  Emotions are critical to learning.

 

2. Music is multi-sensory.  The more senses you get going to the brain, the more likely the message will get there.

 

3. Music is powerful for prior-learning.  If children are exposed to concepts while singing, it is easier for them to learn when formally introduced.

 

4. Music nurtures phonemic awareness (alliteration, rhyme, etc.).

 

5. Songs and chants are a natural way to develop oral language and auditory memory.

 

6. Poems and songs lay a foundation for fluency and enhance short-term memory.

 

7. Children are able to use their imaginations and create pictures in their brains when they sing.  This is an important part of reading comprehension.

 

8. Repetition is a key to learning.  It is much more fun to repeat songs than worksheets!

 

9. Singing and dancing relieve stress and oxygenate the brain.

 

10.  Through music and movement ALL children can feel successful.  

 

A “community of learners” is enhanced when

teachers and children enjoy something together!

 

Each day this coming week I’m going to share different songs for your classroom.  Sing like no one is listening, dance like no one is watching, and give children something to smile about!!!

 

SILLY SONGS

Peanut Butter

Watch the Peanut Butter Video

Dinosaur Boogie

Watch Dinosaur Boogie

Going on a Bear Hunt

Watch Bear Hunt

Mother Gooney Bird

 

Watch Mother Gooney

Five Little Monkeys

 

Watch Five Little Monkeys

My Mother Is a Baker

Watch My Mother is a Baker