Off To School Today

by | Listen & Learn Music

It’s Monday, and you know what that means. Time for school! No shortened week this time around, but next Monday is Casmir Pulaski Day…which means another day off :) Until then, let’s talk about the song I have for you today. It is all about going to school – when we go, how we get there, who we see, and what we do.

There are a lot of kids out there who sometimes dread the very thought, but many times the anxiety they have beforehand is much worse than the actual experience. I know this firsthand, because I was one of those kids. I remember coming up with all sorts of excuses for why I couldn’t go to school, even as early as kindergarten. The funny thing is that I actually enjoyed school and did well once I was there. I grew out of this eventually, as do most kids.

I thought a fun, upbeat song about school might help ease that anxiety, and maybe even provide the child with reasons to look forward to it.

I’m off to school today,
I’m gonna listen, learn and play.
Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, you see,
It’s off to school for me.

You can bring a lunch from home, or buy it at school,
Don’t forget your bookbag, whatever you do.
You can get there in a school bus, or ride in a car,
You can walk if the school is not too far.

CHORUS

You can learn about science, math, and reading too,
Music, art, and gym class, there’s so much to do.
And when it’s time to go home, when the day is done,
Tell your teacher “thank you” for all of the fun.

CHORUS

Well I’m off to prepare for my school day. I have a long to-do list, including new songs to prepare with March quickly approaching. Have a wonderful Monday!

Friday Fave: Blue Snowball Microphone

by | Uncategorized

TGIF! This week flew by, and trust me, I don’t say that very often. I guess it didn’t hurt that Monday was a holiday :) Nonetheless, it’s Friday and you know what that means – it’s time for Friday Faves!

I’m often asked what type of equipment I use to record my songs. Since I record so frequently, I needed a home set-up that was simple yet produced good, quality sound. My first step was purchasing a Macbook, which I did back in the summer of 2007. This has by far been a great investment, as I can use it to record, edit, and burn CDs among many other things. GarageBand is the audio program I use, and I am a huge fan. Not only does it have all the capabilities I need, but it is completely user-friendly. I love the drop-and-drag features, and its seamless integration with iTunes. But I couldn’t do much without this beauty right here:

The Blue Snowball Microphone is awesome. It doesn’t take up much space, and all I have to do is plug it into the USB port of my computer and it’s ready to go. No installation, no software. There are three settings to choose from, depending on what type of recording you’re doing and the space in which you’re doing it. I actually have my husband to thank for this discovery, as it was a Christmas gift last year. You can get one for yourself here.

All this talk about recording is making me want to do just that, but it will have to wait. I have a full day of music therapy ahead of me, and lots of work to be done. Have a great Friday!

Under, Over, In and Out

by | Listen & Learn Music

Ahh, prepositions. They are something we all learn at one point or another, and as educators, we have the responsibility of making sure our students understand them. There are so many, but I chose just four of the most commonly used prepositions to include in this particular song.

Something important to remember about teaching prepositions: words can only go so far. You really need some sort of visual aide to demonstrate each word and its meaning. One idea is to use a stuffed animal or a student’s favorite object, and then place that object under or over a table or chair, in and out of a bin, etc. That way the student has a visual reference to associate with each preposition. I structured my song so that there is a time to demonstrate each word after singing about it. See what you think:

Under, over, in and out,
Is what we’re gonna sing about.
So please listen carefully,
And you will learn along with me.

Under is a word that means below,
Like the fish swim under water, this we know.
Now I’ll show you just exactly what I mean, you see,
So keep your eyes on me. (demonstrate under)

CHORUS

Over is a word that means above or across,
Like a bridge over the lake or the ball over we toss.
Now I’ll show you just exactly what I mean, you see,
So keep your eyes on me. (demonstrate over)

CHORUS

In is a word that means to enter,
Like you’ve come inside or walked into the center.
Now I’ll show you just exactly what I mean, you see,
So keep your eyes on me. (demonstrate in)

CHORUS

Out is a word that means away,
Like you’re out of school and went outside to play.
Now I’ll show you just exactly what I mean, you see,
So keep your eyes on me. (demonstrate out)

CHORUS

This is one activity where you can get creative and really cater to the interests and learning styles of your students. What are some other ways of teaching these prepositions (and others)? What has worked for you in the past, and what hasn’t?

Ten Little Hearts

by | Listen & Learn Music

It’s almost time for Valentine’s Day, so I have a few love-ly songs on tap just for this occasion. The first one is part of my monthly “Counting Time” series, which features the same basic song, with a different seasonal item to count. This month, we are counting hearts, of course!

Counting time, it’s counting time,
So let’s all sing this simple rhyme.
Ten little hearts in a row,
Now let’s count them nice and slow!

1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Again.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

How many hearts?
Ten little hearts.
All lined up in a row.

If you’re an educator or parent, you already know that children love repetition and familiarity. Even though I sing this song every week (introducing new items each month), my students never get tired of pointing to each item while counting aloud with me. And for those who are just learning to count, or are working on the use of their pointer finger, it is great reinforcement.

It’s a dreary day here in central Illinois, but I’ll take a thunderstorm over negative temperatures any day! Only a few more weeks until lovely, lovely spring, and you better believe I’ll have a whole slew of songs to go right along with it. But until then, have a wonderful day and see you tomorrow.

Is Your Mama a Llama?

by | Resources & Tips

Does this book look familiar? It sure does to most of the little ones I know. Is Your Mama a Llama? is a favorite both at home and in the classroom, and it has become one of my go-to stories.

It’s easier than you’d think to set a story like this to music. As long as the words rhyme and there is a definitive rhythm to the verses, you can create a melody line that repeats over and over.

I’ve done this with over thirty books, and I’m always looking for more. Sung stories are a great way to entertain students while at the same time working on a slew of skills, including attention to task, following directions, answering “wh” and yes/no questions, identifying objects and colors, and reading.