KEEP ON SINGING

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.

SINGING SIGHT WORDS

Music can be the “dessert” in your curriculum. Try using some of these familiar tunes to practice reading sight words.

Singing the Word Wall
Sing the word wall from a to z with the tune of “Gilligan’s Island.”

Sight Word Cadence
Children echo each line as you sing four word wall words at a time.
There are some words you need
If you want to learn to read.
A All And Are
Be Book Boy By…etc.

Two Letter Words
Sing two letter words to “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”
If you want to spell he, say “h” “e.”
If you want to spell he, say “h” “e.”
It’s easy as can be when you sing and spell with me.
If you want to spell he, say “h” “e.”

Three Letter Words
Sing three letter words to “Where Is Thumbkin?”
What spells the? What spells the?
T – h – e (T – h – e)
T-h-e spells the. (T–h–e spells the.)
T – h – e. (T – h – e)
*Sing three letter words to “Three Blind Mice.”

*THE Poem: You can say the, or you can say the,
but you always have to spell it T- h - e!

Four Letter Words
Learn to spell four 4 letter words with “Happy Birthday.”
T – h – a – t spells that. T – h – a – t spells that.
T – h – a – t spells that. T – h – a – t spells that.
*Sing four letter words to “My Darlin’ Clementine” or “YMCA.”

Five Letter Words
Five letter words can be sung to “BINGO.”
There is a word that you should know and green is the word-o.
G – r – e – e – n. G – r – e – e – n. G – r – e – e – n.
And green is the word-o.
*Sing five letter words to “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”

Six Letter Words
The tune of “Ten Little Indians” can be used to spell six letter words.
S-c-h-o-o-l,
S-c-h-o-o-l,
S-c-h-o-o-l,
That spells school.

*The theme song from “The Mickey Mouse Club” can also be used for six letter words.

Seven or Eight Letter Words
*Fit the letters in longer words to “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” and “Coming Round the Mountain.”

Chiming Words
Use a xylophone for this activity. Strike keys on letters and the blend.

WE HAD A GOOD DAY!
Here's a new video that my webmaster just posted.  You're sure to end your day with a smile and positive feelings.

https://bit.ly/drJGoodDayYT

LETTER OFFICE AND LETTER LOOKER

LETTER OFFICE

Children will enjoy making their very own letter office and then using it for the activities below. First, tape two file folders together. Let children decorate the outside, and then glue a copy of alphabet letters on the inside. 

Sing and Track

Have children point to the letters as you sing various alphabet songs. (“The Alphabet in My Mouth,” “Who Let the Letters out?” or “Letters You Should Know” all work well.)

I Spy!
Play “I Spy” and other games where children have to identify letters. Can they find the letter that makes the sound at the beginning of “hop”? Can they find the letters in their name? What comes between G and I? Can they match up magnetic letters with the letters in their office?

Partner Play
Use the offices for working with a friend. Read the capital letters, lowercase, consonants, vowels. Read loud, soft, fast, slow, backwards, and other variations. Let friends take turns calling out letters (or sounds) for their partner to identify.

Family Time
Invite children to take their letter offices home and play games with their parents.

*Take turns naming letters and touching them.

*Sing Alphabet songs and track the letters.

*Look around the house for letters that match.

*Find letters in family members’ names.


LETTER LOOKER

Here’s a simple prop to help your children focus. Loop around the end of a pipe cleaner as shown to make a “letter looker.” Children can identify letters in their letter office and around the classroom with their “lookers.” 

*They can also play a game with a partner with their letter looker. Children take turns focusing on letters as their partner tries to identify it. 

TOUCH SOMETHING

The teacher says a letter (word, color, shape, object) and the children walk around the room and touch the letter or something that matches the sound.

LETTER WAND

Remove the netting from a butterfly net. (You can find these at most dollar stores.) Add some colorful ribbons. Sing the song below to the tune of “Do You Know the Muffin Man?” 

Do you see the (letter),
The (letter),the (letter)?
Do you see the (letter)
Somewhere in the room?

A child takes the wand and frames that letter as she sings:

Yes, I see the (letter),
The (letter), the (letter).
Yes, I see the (letter)
In the room.

Hint! Use the wand to focus on colors, shapes, numbers and other skills you are working on.

SINGING SIGHT WORDS

Music can be the “dessert” in your curriculum. Try using some of these familiar tunes to practice reading sight words.

Singing the Word Wall
Sing the word wall from a to z with the tune of “Gilligan’s Island.”

Sight Word Cadence
Children echo each line as you sing four word wall words at a time.
There are some words you need...
If you want to learn to read...
A All And Are
Be Book Boy By…etc.


Two Letter Words
Sing two letter words to “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”
If you want to spell he, say “h” “e.”
If you want to spell he, say “h” “e.”
It’s easy as can be when you sing and spell with me.
If you want to spell he, say “h” “e.”


Three Letter Words
Sing three letter words to “Where Is Thumbkin?”
What spells the? What spells the?
T – h – e (T – h – e)
T-h-e spells the. (T–h–e spells the.)
T – h – e. (T – h – e)
*Sing three letter words to “Three Blind Mice.”

*THE Poem: You can say the, or you can say thee,
but you always have to spell it T- h - e!

Four Letter Words
Learn to spell four 4 letter words with “Happy Birthday.”
T – h – a – t spells that. T – h – a – t spells that.
T – h – a – t spells that. T – h – a – t spells that.
*Sing four letter words to “My Darlin’ Clementine” or “YMCA.”


Five Letter Words
Five letter words can be sung to “BINGO.”
There is a word that you should know and green is the word-o.
G – r – e – e – n. G – r – e – e – n. G – r – e – e – n.
And green is the word-o.
*Sing five letter words to “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”


Six Letter Words
The tune of “Ten Little Indians” can be used to spell six letter words.
S-c-h-o-o-l,
S-c-h-o-o-l,
S-c-h-o-o-l,
That spells school.
*The theme song from “The Mickey Mouse Club” can also be used for six letter words.

Seven or Eight Letter Words
*Fit the letters in longer words to “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” and “Coming Round the Mountain.”


Chiming Words
Use a xylophone for this activity. Strike keys on letters and the blend.





Here's a link to the video I did a few years ago on sight words:

http://bit.ly/drjean_sightwords

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN CHILDREN DON'T SING?

This is definitely a difficult blog for me to write because I’m always hesitant to give advice when it comes to behavior issues. You really need to know the age level, classroom situation, and individual child before passing judgement. However, someone recently requested I make a few comments on what to do when children don’t sing, so I’ll do my best.

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,” “Pizza Hut,” 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!

TEACHERS UNITED IN CHRIST

Last summer Meghan sent me a photo of the children in El Salvador singing the "Tooty Ta."  It's a beautiful story and I asked them to share it with you.  We can't do everything, but we can all do something.  I'll bet you'll get goosebumps just like me when you read about their mission trip. You'll find more information about this mission and how to contact Meghan and Madison at the end of the blog.  

Note!!  Wouldn't helping the children at La Magdalena be a great project for your class this year?  Instead of thinking about "stuff" they want they could think about someone else.  

There is a very small Christian school named Escuela Cristiana Canton La Magdalena located in La Magdalena, El Salvador. Madison's husband is the chair of a non-profit organization called One Child El Salvador that supports this school. After both Meghan and Madison's husbands had traveled there and saw how special the community is, they knew they must go! Unlike previous mission trips, they felt a different calling. In the past, most mission trips were construction related. That didn't seem to fit how they were being called to serve...

Meghan is in her 15th year teaching early childhood and Madison is in her 11th. Both ladies teach at Blackburn Elementary School in Dawsonville, GA. Dr. Jean has always played a vital role in both our teaching careers. We sing and dance with our students daily. We utilize the songs to approach different academic areas. After beginning to plan for this trip we knew we wanted to incorporate some of Dr. Jean's magic as a means to connect with the students in a different country and language!

                          

The mission laid on our hearts was not only United in Christ but specifically TEACHERS United in Christ. Our goal was to partner with the ladies and men teaching in remote El Salvador and give them tools and materials they might not otherwise have access to. Thankfully Dr. Jean's Ole! Ole! would lead the way and bridge the gap between us and the students. The teachers let us do a classroom takeover, even though we spoke very little spanish. We got the opportunity to introduce some of our favorite songs to these children in spanish. As the kids were enjoying the songs, the teachers got a glimpse of the ideology of Singing to Learn. We drew the animals of the Color Farm, wrote color words in English and Spanish, and constructed silly sentences about the animals on the farm. Every lesson was wrapped up with everyone's favorite........TOOTY TA! Another wonderful concept we got to share was KISS YOUR BRAIN. The first time we told them to kiss their brain when they did something wonderful it blew them away! The idea was so well loved. The school principal/pastor thought the idea of thanking your brain was remarkable. Kiss Your Brain will forever be remembered in La Magdalena we are sure!

 

As Dr. Jean said the sweetest part of this trip was seeing that children are the same all over the world. They wanted to sing, dance and learn! The students in La Magdalena are receiving a high quality education with minimal resources. That can only be attributed to God and the dedication of the teachers working there. This mission trip was not so much of a manual labor trip, but a labor of love. Sharing a calling to teach is a special bond that reaches across all borders and oceans. We are all truly united in Christ. 

Here's a video of our trip:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TLKh0rrtgHCXgUQ-0tVxw0KjH4MhFMvO/view?usp=drivesdk


There are many opportunities to get involved with this extraordinary non-profit, as well as the students and teachers in La Magdalena. Monthly sponsorships for the students are available. You may also be feeling the same call to serve. The website below can provide you with more information on how to get involved.

https://onechildelsalvador.org/

OR email at: onechildelsalvador@gmail.com

CAMP SONGS AND SING ALONGS

Can you imagine sitting around a campfire and singing? Talk about a vanishing activity! No CD…no big screen…no musical instruments…just an engaging song and friends! My daughter and I were reminiscing that nobody sings like that any more. If you ever sang around a campfire as a child, it's a happy memory you will never forget.

The great thing about children is that you can still give them that special memory in your classroom or out on the playground. One day we built a fake campfire out of sticks. (I would have had the fire marshall after me if we built a real fire.) The kids found sticks, stuck marshmallows on the end, and pretended to roast them in the fire. It was hysterical, because they were totally into the experience. We then sang some of our favorite songs. 

 

Little Cabin in the Woods
Little cabin in the woods.
(Make a square in the air with index fingers.)
Little man by the window stood.
(Hand over eyes.)
Saw a rabbit hopping by
(Two fingers up like ears and hop hand.)
Knocking at my door.
(Knock in the air.)
“Help me! Help me! Help me, please.
(Throw hands up in the air.)
For it’s cold and I might freeze.”
(Wrap arms around self and shake.)
Little rabbit come inside
(Motion “come.”)
Safely you’ll abide.
(Stick up 2 fingers on one hand and stroke with other hand.)

Swimming
(Tune: “Sailing, Sailing, Over the Bounding Main” - Happy Everything CD)
Swimming, swimming, (Pretend to stroke arms.)
In the swimming pool. (Take index fingers and make a square in the air.)
When days are hot (Pretend to fan self.)
Or days are cold, (Rap arms around your self and shiver.)
in the swimming pool. (Make a square in the air.)
Back stroke, (Stroke arms backwards.)
Side stroke, (Swim to the side.)
Fancy diving, too. (Palms together and pretend to dive.)
There’s no place (Shake head “no.”)
I would rather be
Than in the swimming pool. (Make a square in the air.)

*The second time through hum the first line as you make the motions.
Third time hum the first two lines and make the motions.
With each verse omit the words and hum as you make the motions until you are just humming the song.

Here are some other favorite campfire songs:
Found a Peanut
Coming Round the Mountain
Baby Fish
The Wheels on the Bus
Chica Boom Chica Boom
Yogi Bear

 

Some of these songs are on my YouTube Channel. If the title above is blue, just click it to view the video.

SINGING SIGHT WORDS

Music can be the “dessert” in your curriculum. Try using some of these familiar tunes to practice reading sight words.

Singing the Word Wall
Sing the word wall from a to z with the tune of “Gilligan’s Island.”

Sight Word Cadence
Children echo each line as you sing four word wall words at a time.
There are some words you need...
If you want to learn to read...
A All And Are
Be Book Boy By…etc.


Two Letter Words
Sing two letter words to “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”
If you want to spell he, say “h” “e.”
If you want to spell he, say “h” “e.”
It’s easy as can be when you sing and spell with me.
If you want to spell he, say “h” “e.”


Three Letter Words
Sing three letter words to “Where Is Thumbkin?”
What spells the? What spells the?
T – h – e (T – h – e)
T-h-e spells the. (T–h–e spells the.)
T – h – e. (T – h – e)
*Sing three letter words to “Three Blind Mice.”

*THE Poem: You can say the, or you can say thee,
but you always have to spell it T- h - e!

Four Letter Words
Learn to spell four 4 letter words with “Happy Birthday.”
T – h – a – t spells that. T – h – a – t spells that.
T – h – a – t spells that. T – h – a – t spells that.
*Sing four letter words to “My Darlin’ Clementine” or “YMCA.”


Five Letter Words
Five letter words can be sung to “BINGO.”
There is a word that you should know and green is the word-o.
G – r – e – e – n. G – r – e – e – n. G – r – e – e – n.
And green is the word-o.
*Sing five letter words to “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”


Six Letter Words
The tune of “Ten Little Indians” can be used to spell six letter words.
S-c-h-o-o-l,
S-c-h-o-o-l,
S-c-h-o-o-l,
That spells school.
*The theme song from “The Mickey Mouse Club” can also be used for six letter words.

Seven or Eight Letter Words
*Fit the letters in longer words to “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” and “Coming Round the Mountain.”


Chiming Words
Use a xylophone for this activity. Strike keys on letters and the blend.

Here's a link to the video I did a few years ago on sight words:

http://bit.ly/drjean_sightwords

 

IT'S MORE FUN WITH A FRIEND!

Almost anything children do alone will be more fun with a friend. Take a look at this list and you'll probably find at least five strategies you can use in your classroom this week.

WIN/WIN WITH A FRIEND!

Read together.

Look at books or magazines together.

Retell a story. They can also discuss who, what, where, when, why, the problem, resolution, what might happen next, etc.

Whisper a prediction in each other’s ear.

Review information after a science lesson, social studies, etc.

Clean up a center or each other’s desks.

Read around the room. Give them pointers and empty glasses frames for more fun.

Write the room. Give them clipboards and ask them to write words that would reinforce a skill you are working on. For example, they could write compound words, words with the “th” diagraph, two syllable words, etc.

Sing a song or say nursery rhymes together.

                     

Help with dressing, such a zipping coats and tying shoes.

Draw a picture together. They could draw their favorite part of a story, illustrate a poem, draw a picture of their teacher, and so forth.

Build together with blocks, Legos, etc.

Play with play dough or clay together. They can make objects that begin with a certain sound, shapes, sets, etc.

Play a computer game.

Review flashcards.


Partner Pop Up Q & A
Students stand and face their study buddy. The teacher poses a question. The students talk it over, agree on an answer, and then stoop down. When the teacher sees all students down she says, “Pop!” The students pop up and say their answer out loud.

STREAMING MUSIC

It's funny, but 50+ years ago when I started teaching we had a few records...and then cassette tapes...and then CDs...and now....

Today's streaming services simplify a teacher's task to bring music right into the classroom. A computer, a tablet or even your smart phone will help you fill your class with the sounds of music.

Just click on the links below for more information. You will find links to Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify and other streaming services. We have created this custom link to help you access my songs from my CD, Dr. Jean and Friends. Some of the songs you will find are "Tooty Ta," "Mother Goony Bird," "Tarzan," and "Five Little Monkeys.”

                                                   

Here are two links. One goes to the streaming connection and the other goes to a downloadable file containing the lyrics to all of the songs on my CD Dr. Jean and Friends.

Streaming info: http://bit.ly/DrJeanAndFriends

Lyrics: https://www.mediafire.com/file/kze0uuvqwjzp8dz/lyricsDrJeanFriends.pdf/file

P.S.  Thanks to my techie genius webmaster Alex May for helping me help you!!!!

I can't wait to sing, dance, and hold hands with kids again!!! 

A LITTLE LOVE FOR ASL!

I know you probably get tired of hearing me promote ASL, but now more than ever it can be a powerful way to engage children and activate their senses. I’m excited that Mariela Andersen has interpreted some of my favorite videos. You'll find the links on my website  http://drjean.org/

ASL – Dinosaur Boogie

http://bit.ly/drjeanASLDino

 

ASL – Wiggle Willie

http://bit.ly/drjeanASLWiggle

 

ASL – Alphardy

http://bit.ly/drjeanASLAlph

ASL – Macarena to 100

http://bit.ly/drjeanASLMac100

ASL – Today is Sunday

http://bit.ly/drjeanASLSunday

Mariela Andersen

"Being able to provide equal access for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children through ASL means the world to me! I am so thankful to be able to support them in their most natural language. I hope that anybody who lives or works with Deaf and Hard of Hearing children chooses to learn sign language to be able to connect with them on a deeper level." 

Check out her YouTube channel to view more of her interpretations. Click here.

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