Friday Fave: Songs for Teaching

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I have some really exciting news that I’ve been bursting to share with you, and I thought there was no better time to do so than today, as my Friday Fave. A while back, I told you all about Songs for Teaching and my opportunity to make my songs available on their website.

Now, just a few short weeks later, you can visit Songs for Teaching and not only listen to my songs, but download them as well. I currently have six collections available: Months, Weather, Healthy Habits, Fall, Rhythms, and Manners.

And while you’re there, be sure to check out all of the other great artists and their songs. There are so many different styles to choose from.

I’m spending the weekend in Connecticut, but I just might have to take a break from the wedding festivities to post another Thanksgiving song since time is running out. No promises, but check back tomorrow just in case!

The Turkey Dinner Dance

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Good morning! The countdown is on: Thanksgiving is a week from today, which means I only have a few more days to share the rest of my turkey day songs with you. I’d have to say that today’s song, “The Turkey Dinner Dance”, is my favorite of the bunch, mostly because I love watching my students bust a move.

Let’s do the Turkey Dinner Dance,
Come on, come on let’s go.
Join right in and follow me,
You can do it fast or slow!

Turkey to the left, cha cha cha
Turkey to the right, cha cha cha
Turkey up and turkey down,
Turkey all around!

CHORUS

Stirring gravy to the left, cha cha cha
Stirring gravy to the right, cha cha cha
Stirring gravy up and down,
Stirring gravy all around!

CHORUS

Mashed potatoes to the left, cha cha cha
Mashed potatoes to the right, cha cha cha
Mashed potatoes up and down,
Mashed potatoes all around!

CHORUS

Pumpkin pie to the left, cha cha cha
Pumpkie pie to the right, cha cha cha
Pumpkin pie up and down,
Pumpkin pie all around!

CHORUS

The choreography is so basic that it really can’t be called choreography. Each element in the song has its own move, explained below:

Turkey
What you’d expect…tucking your thumbs under your armpits and flapping your arms.

Stirring Gravy
Hold your right arm in front of you, curving it to make a half circle (this is the pot). Then use your left to “stir” inside the pot.

Mashed Potatoes
I’m sure you all know this basic dance move, where you pump your fists up and down in front of you.

Pumpkin Pie
Hold your arms out in front of you, curved at the elbow, and twist back and forth at the waist.

Or you can make up your own movements – but if you do, be sure to share them with the rest of us! Enjoy :)

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Pie

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This book is a MUST for your child or classroom, as I’ve discovered this month. It’s a new take on the classic, I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, complete with hilarious illustrations and a funny story that even the kids who are too cool for school will enjoy. You can find it where I did, on Amazon, for a very reasonable price.

Just a note before I share the song and lyrics: in the book, the last line of every refrain is “Perhaps she’ll die.” I always change this to “Perhaps she’ll cry”, which is much more kid-friendly – many of them like to pretend that they are crying when they sing this line along with me. It’s simple to type out the word “cry” and cut and paste it into the book over the word “die” on each page.

This book is the perfect way to help your child/students/YOURSELF! get excited about Thanksgiving while having fun and being silly at the same time.

It’s a Cold Day!

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Happy Tuesday to you all! You might recall that a few days ago, I shared with you the “Chilly Day” song since the temperature finally decided to head downwards. Well it didn’t stop there; now it’s just downright cold. In fact, we even had a few snowflakes yesterday. Luckily they have subsided (I’m not ready for that yet!), but the cold remains. So here’s a very fitting song to complement the current conditions here in the good ol’ Midwest:

Cold day, it’s a cold day
The temperature is low, this I know.
Cold day, it’s a cold day
So I’ll stay inside and watch the cold wind blow.

Cold day, it’s a cold day
I can see my breath each time I sing or talk.
Cold day, it’s a cold day
I need to bundle up if I go for a walk.

Cold day, it’s a cold day
The heat is on inside at home and school.
Cold day, it’s a cold day
I’ll zip my coat up because being warm is cool!

I spent last weekend in sunny Orlando, and now I’m bracing for the opposite end of the spectrum weatherwise as I head to Connecticut on Thursday. It will be a wonderful weekend no matter what the weather, as my family will be celebrating my brother-in-law Rob’s marriage to his beautiful bride, Shannon.

But until then, look for another Thanksgiving tune tomorrow as we inch closer to that yummy holiday. I can’t wait!

Ten Days of Thanksgiving

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I’m back from Florida and really excited to share today’s song with all of you. Since Thanksgiving is ten days away, I thought it was the perfect time to post “The Ten Days of Thanksgiving”. This is a huge hit with my students, though the staff at my school prides themselves on being able to sing along with me:) So I hope you’re hungry; and if you’re not, you will be before this song is through!

On the first day of Thanksgiving, this is what I ate:
Some turkey on my plate.

On the second day of Thanksgiving, this is what I ate:
Two cobs of corn,
And some turkey on my plate.

On the third day of Thanksgiving, this is what I ate:
Three mashed potatoes,
Two cobs of corn,
And some turkey on my plate.

On the fourth day of Thanksgiving, this is what I ate:
Four heaps of green beans,
Three mashed potatoes,
Two cobs of corn,
And some turkey on my plate.

On the fifth day of Thanksgiving, this is what I ate:
Five golden rolls!
Four heaps of green beans,
Three mashed potatoes,
Two cobs of corn,
And some turkey on my plate.

On the sixth day of Thanksgiving, this is what I ate:
Six scoops of stuffing,
Five golden rolls!
Four heaps of green beans,
Three mashed potatoes,
Two cobs of corn,
And some turkey on my plate.

On the seventh day of Thanksgiving, this is what I ate:
Seven sips of soup,
Six scoops of stuffing,
Five golden rolls!
Four heaps of green beans,
Three mashed potatoes,
Two cobs of corn,
And some turkey on my plate.

On the eighth day of Thanksgiving, this is what I ate:
Eight cups of eggnog,
Seven sips of soup,
Six scoops of stuffing,
Five golden rolls!
Four heaps of green beans,
Three mashed potatoes,
Two cobs of corn,
And some turkey on my plate.

On the ninth day of Thanksgiving, this is what I ate:
Nine cranberries,
Eight cups of eggnog,
Seven sips of soup,
Six scoops of stuffing,
Five golden rolls!
Four heaps of green beans,
Three mashed potatoes,
Two cobs of corn,
And some turkey on my plate.

On the tenth day of Thanksgiving, this is what I ate:
Ten pumpkin pies,
Nine cranberries,
Eight cups of eggnog,
Seven sips of soup,
Six scoops of stuffing,
Five golden rolls!
Four heaps of green beans,
Three mashed potatoes,
Two cobs of corn,
And some turkey on my plate.

How did you do? You’ll be a pro after listening to the song just a few times, trust me! Well it’s Monday, which means my to-do list is long and I better get to it before my first class begins. Have a wonderful day, and I’ll see you tomorrow!