When I started brainstorming for this week’s “Sunday Singalong” video, I knew I wanted to do something special for Mother’s Day. I just wasn’t sure what, exactly. Then I remembered a song that I wrote for my mom last April on her 50th birthday, and I had a plan. I chose some of my favorite photos of my mom, and used the song to narrate this slideshow:
I have a lot of people in my life to celebrate today. There’s my mom, of course, but then I also have my stepmom, aunt, grandma, mother-in-law, grandmother-in-law, and all of the moms and moms-to-be I know (like my sisters and friends). If you’re a mom, I hope you’re doing something nice for yourself – or even better, being spoiled by those who love you. Enjoy your special day!
This week, I reached out to my readers via Facebook and Twitter,looking for “Sunday Singalong” song suggestions. I received quite a few great requests, including “Shaky Fruit”, “The 3 R’s”, and “Maraca Rock”, but the one I chose was just too fitting to pass up.
“April Showers” has been around for a long time – since 1921, in fact. It was originally recorded by Al Jolson, though Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and many other singers have versions as well. This song is used more often with senior citizens than it is with young children, but I like it so much that it just may have found a permanent spot in my repertoire.
Not only one, but TWO fellow music therapists requested “April Showers” this week. Kristin Bozard and Janice Harris will receive a free album download of their choice, and YOU can too! All you have to do is suggest a song (via email or blog comment) for next week’s “Sunday Singalong” video.
One more thing, and this is pretty exciting. Yesterday I wrote my 400th blog post! I’ve only been writing this blog for a little over 1.5 years, so I’m pretty amazed at hitting such a high number already. Thanks so much for being a Listen & Learn reader, and here’s to 400 more posts!
Happy Earth Day! What are you doing today to celebrate our planet? Every year, the students and staff at The Hope Institute head outside to plant trees on campus property, and luckily we’ll have a beautiful day for doing so. I’ll also be singing the “Good Green Earth” song I shared in my latest Sunday Singalong videoas well as another Earth Day-appropriate song, “The 3 R’s” by Jack Johnson.
One of my very favorite albums (which just happens to be full of great songs for kids) is Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the film Curious George by Jack Johnson. In fact, I even Friday Fave’d it last winter. “The 3 R’s” is a take on “3 is a Magic Number” from Schoolhouse Rock, but it incorporates the “reduce, reuse, recycle” theme we all learned in grade school. Check it out:
Three, it’s a magic number,
Yes it is, it’s a magic number.
Because two times three is six,
And three times six is eighteen,
And the eighteenth letter in the alphabet is R.
We’ve got three R’s we’re going to talk about today:
We’ve got to learn to
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
If you’re going to the market to buy some juice,
You’ve got to bring your own bags and you learn to reduce your waste.
And if your brother or your sister’s got some cool clothes,
You could try them on before you buy some more of those.
Reuse, we’ve got to learn to reuse.
And if the first two R’s don’t work out,
And if you’ve got to make some trash,
Don’t throw it out.
Recycle, we’ve got to learn to recycle,
We’ve got to learn to
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Because three, it’s a magic number,
Yes it is, it’s a magic number.
3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36
33, 30, 27, 24, 21, 18, 15, 12, 9, 6, and
3, it’s a magic number.
I love Jack Johnson’s cool, laid-back attitude; his California surfer style fits in with Earth Day perfectly! I’m curious to find out what everyone else is singing on this special day, so please do tell.
After a two-week hiatus, I’m back with a brand new video. It was such a beautiful spring day that I felt inspired to film this one outside, with the help of my wonderful husband. I’m thinking there will be lots more outdoor “Sunday Singalong” videos in the coming months!
“Good Green Earth” was another iTunes find, from the album Good Morning Sun, Goodnight Moon by James K. I’ve been incorporating in into my music therapy sessions around Earth Day for the last three years, because not only it is a personal and student favorite, but it’s great for reinforcing the days, months, seasons, and even up and down motor movement. I love songs that are so multifunctional!
It’s hard to believe that Sunday night has arrived, and another week will begin bright and early (“the sun comes up…”) tomorrow. How was your weekend? Mine was mostly spent catching up with laundry and cleaning, but I did sneak in a little shopping and lounging :) I’m excited for a low-key, productive week and even more gorgeous spring weather. See you back here soon!
When the “Mamma Mia!” musical first came out, I listened to the Broadway soundtrack nonstop. I still turn it on from time to time, because the songs are so upbeat (for the most part) and put me in such a great mood. “I Have a Dream” is one of my favorite songs to teach beginning voice and guitar students, and like I said in the video, I like to use it in music therapy sessions with my middle school students. They’ve always enjoyed the song and the discussions it sparks, but it’s even more popular now that the movie is out.
I watched “Mamma Mia!” (the movie version) for the first time yesterday, and now I’m craving a sunny beach vacation in Greece. That’s not in my future anytime soon, but I will be heading to exotic St. Louis tomorrow for a week in the recording studio. I’m enjoying one more lazy day before the fun begins, and it just happens to be my puppy, Sadie’s 1st birthday! Just take a look at this little sweetie:
I’m off to play with the birthday girl (who is currently covered in mud and rain thanks to the lovely weather), so I hope you all enjoy your Sunday. If you haven’t yet, please go enter my DVD giveaway, and stay tuned this week for updates from the recording studio!
Welcome! I’m Rachel Rambach, board-certified music therapist and creator of Listen & Learn Music — educational songs and musical materials for children. I love sharing my work with you, along with my behind-the-scenes creative process, adventures in business ownership, and life as a mom of two.
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by Jack Johnson. In fact, I even 
