It’s Listen & Learn’s birthday, but YOU’RE getting the presents.
My baby is hitting double digits! It’s hard to believe that this little website I started as a brand-new music therapist is still going strong 10 years later. Recording the songs, creating the materials, and writing the blog posts that fill up these pages brings me SO much joy, but what fills me up even more is knowing that they are benefiting YOU.
YOU are the reason that Listen & Learn Music is still alive and well today, and YOU are the reason I’ll be celebrating another 10 years in 2028. Every email and comment I receive detailing how a song was brought to life in a classroom or music therapy session, and how it helped a child to learn a new skill, provides the motivation to make this an even more valuable resource for you.
To properly thank you for your support, I want to give you a gift for every year of Listen & Learn Music. Starting September 1, I’ll be sharing one of my favorite resources with you from the L&L collection each day in yearly chronological order, all the way through September 10.
Our Biggest Giveaway Ever
And last, but not least, I hope you’ll participate in the GIVEAWAY I’m doing on September 10! One extremely lucky winner will receive a LIFETIME VIP MEMBERSHIP to Listen & Learn Plus, including all current and future CMTE courses.
All you have to do is help me celebrate by:
1) following Listen & Learn Music on Instagram
2) Creating a post about how you’ve used a L&L resource, or just simply sending a birthday wish
3) Tagging @listenlearnmusic on your post
4) Using the hashtag #listenlearnmusicturns10
Feel free to save and post this image and use the caption:
Wishing @listenlearnmusic a very happy 10th birthday! I’m joining in the celebration and hoping to win a lifetime VIP membership to Listen & Learn Plus! #listenlearnmusicturns10
Follow the steps above to enter as many times as you’d like between September 1 – 10.
Start from the beginning.
Each day, I’m writing a blog post recapping each year of Listen & Learn Music and announcing the resource gift for that day.
If you’ve entered your name and email address above, you’ll receive these directly to your inbox, and you’ll also have access to them (along with other cool stuff) inside the private Facebook group.
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More from Listen & Learn Music
Ten Little Shamrocks
St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, so today I thought we’d count shamrocks. If you’re a regular here at Listen & Learn, you should be very familiar with this tune by now. But if you’re new, welcome! Won’t take you long to catch on to this simple tune. It’s counting time, so off we go:
Counting time, it’s counting time,
So let’s all sing this simple rhyme.
Ten little shamrocks 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 shamrocks?
Ten little shamrocks.
All lined up in a row.
My husband and I will be in Chicago over the weekend for his company’s awards banquet, which means we’ll also be able to catch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It should be a fun day! In the meantime, this is quite a busy week and I have lots to do, so goodbye for now :)
Boys and Girls: We’re All Equal
Did you know that March is Women’s History Month? Well I didn’t, until a teacher brought it to my attention at the end of February. I did a little research, and discovered that Women’s History Month traces its roots back to the first International Women’s Day, which was celebrated in 1911. In 1981, Congress passed a resolution making Women’s History Week a national holiday.
So that is the background for today’s tune, “Boys and Girls”. I wanted to write a song that conveyed the general message of Women’s History Month yet could still be understood by my students. “Boys and Girls” teaches that we all have equal rights, and that we can do many of the same things.
If you’re a boy, or you’re a girl,
Then you should know that we’re all equal.
There are certain things about us that are different, it’s true,
But our rights are the same, for both me and you.
Girls can wear pants, boys can too.
Boys can wear hats, girls can too.
Girls can wear sandals, boys can too.
Boys can wear sneakers, girls can too.
There are certain things about us that are different, it’s true,
But our rights are the same, both me and you.
Girls can be teachers, boys can too.
Boys can be pilots, girls can too.
Girls can be doctors, boys can too.
Boys can be nurses, girls can too.
There are certain things about us that are different, it’s true,
But our rights are the same, both me and you.
Girls can go to school, boys can too.
Boys can go to work, girls can too.
Girls can cast a vote, boys can too.
Boys can cook dinner, girls can too.
There are certain things about us that are different, it’s true,
But our rights are the same, both me and you.
If you’re a boy, or you’re a girl,
Then you should know that we’re all equal.
There are certain things about us that are different, it’s true,
But our rights are the same, for both me and you.
Maybe next year I’ll write a song that goes a little bit more in depth with this topic. Another song to check out is Sufferin’ Til Suffrage (a School House Rock favorite). Enjoy, and happy Women’s History Month!
What Else Do I Need?
If you live in the midwest, you are no stranger to the fact that the weather can fluctuate radically on a daily basis. We started the week in the 30s, and today and tomorrow we’re expecting 60-degree temperatures. I’m definitely not complaining about the warm-up, but sometimes it’s a little difficult to keep up!
Today I headed out the door with a light jacket on over my sweater, but I’m waiting for the day when I’ll need sunscreen and sunglasses, just like the song says.
It’s sunny, it’s sunny,
What else do I need?
Sunscreen and some sunglasses too,
That is what I need.
It’s chilly, it’s chilly,
What else do I need?
Mittens and a jacket too,
That is what I need.
It’s raining, it’s raining,
What else do I need?
Umbrella, rain boots, and slicker too,
That is what I need.
It’s freezing, it’s freezing,
What else do I need?
A winter coat, scarf, hat, and gloves,
That is what I need.
Oh, and if you are wondering, the official countdown to spring is at 15 days. And coincidentally, the first day of spring is also moving day for me! This weekend is daylight savings time, meaning we’ll lose an hour of sleep on Saturday night/Sunday morning. But hey, I will gladly lose that hour if it means more light at night. A sure sign that spring is in the air…hey, I feel a song coming on :)
My Address
If you’ve been reading my blog for the last month or so, then you already know that I am moving soon. I’ve had to tell people or write down my new address several times this week, and I keep mixing it up with my current address or just forgetting it altogether. I am not a forgetful person, but when something like your address is ingrained in your brain, it’s hard to relearn that! But I’m trying. In fact, this is what inspired me to write the song below, which is all about addresses.
There’s a number, and a street, and a city, and a state,
And a zipcode, I give,
When my family or friends or a teacher needs to know
The place where I live.
You put ’em all together and what do you get?
My address, I won’t forget.
My street number is ________
My street name is __________
My city is _________________
In the state of ____________
My zipcode has five numbers, it’s ____________
You put ’em all together, and what do you get?
My address, I won’t forget.
There’s a number, and a street, and a city, and a state,
And a zipcode, I give,
When my family or friends or a teacher needs to know
The place where I live.
You put ’em all together and what do you get?
My address, I won’t forget.
Or at least, I’ll try not to anymore! A week from tomorrow, we’ll be signing the papers that make the house officially ours, and by then I think I will have my new address down pat. In the meantime, I have a busy day ahead full of classes and planning. Have a happy Wednesday!
The People I See
Meeting new people can be difficult, whether you are a young child or a full-fledged adult. I’ve been a shy person all my life, so I still struggle with this at times. But for a child with a disability, especially autism, a new person can be very overwhelming and even a little scary.
Today’s song introduces a few of the people who are important in a child’s life, and explains a little about what each person does. I made sure to include individuals who can be intimidating, and hopefully this tune can help ease any fears a child may have about seeing them. The key is for youngsters to see these people as friendly, helpful adults that they can trust.
I see all kinds of people, everywhere I go.
Some of them are new, and some of them I know.
I’ve learned about the kinds of things each person does for me,
So let me tell you all about the people that I see.
Police officers keep me safe, they usually dress in blue.
Firefighters wear red, and they protect me too.
When I am in trouble, they are the ones to call.
These are the people who help me, they look out for us all.
CHORUS
Teachers help me learn things, like how to read a book,
Math and science, spelling too, and even how to cook.
My principal and friends are other people at my school,
Where I have fun and work hard, ’cause being smart is cool.
CHORUS
Doctors are the people who keep my body strong,
I see them for my check-up, and when something is wrong.
The dentist cleans my teeth, and keeps cavities away,
By showing me how to brush and floss them everyday.
CHORUS
Speaking of meeting new people, I have had the pleasure of getting to know (albeit through email) Sandie and her son Matthew, who was born with born with agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC). You can read more about ACC and Matthew here. Thank you, Sandie, for sharing Listen & Learn with Matthew, and for making my job all the more worthwhile!
March is Here!
I have one word for this: hooray! The arrival of March makes me happy for several reasons, first and foremost being that we close on our new house in less than two weeks. I’ve been daydreaming about all the songs I’ll write in my beautiful new home office, a space dedicated solely to music and music therapy (which of course includes this blog). I know a change of scenery will jumpstart my creativity :) But there are more March highlights: a weekend trip to Chicago for Zach’s company banquet, a visit from my aunt, and the advent of Spring!
I was feeling happy last year when I wrote the “March” song, which I hope you like:
March is here, yes March is here,
The third month of the year.
Thirty one days march into spring,
And that is a wonderful thing.
Yes that is a wonderful thing.
St. Patrick’s Day will come around,
Find four-leaf clovers on the ground.
Leprechauns and rainbows too,
Clothes of green for me and you.
CHORUS
Get ready for the start of spring,
And all the fun that it will bring.
Soon enough we’ll have spring break,
Let’s celebrate, for goodness sake!
CHORUS
March is here, yes March is here,
The third month of the year.
Thirty one days march into spring,
And that is a wonderful thing.
Yes that is a wonderful thing.
Singing this tune puts me in a great mood, and I hope hearing it does the same for you. What are your plans for this month? Are you as excited for spring as I am? Enjoy your Sunday afternoon…and if you’re as lucky as I am, your day off tomorrow for Casmir Pulaski Day!
What to Wear, What to Wear
It’s a little embarrassing to admit, but one of the hardest parts of my day is picking out an outfit to wear. I always second guess myself…did I just wear this? Is this too spring-ish? Does this shirt even fit? This daily dilemma got me to thinking: it’s probably a little overwhelming for kids when they first start dressing themselves. Now granted, they probably don’t have the same concerns as us grown-ups (i.e. matching, obeying the rules of the season), but if I had to guess, I’d say it’s a bit of a challenge.
That line of thinking inspired me to write this song, which covers several aspects of getting dressed. And next month, I’m going to use it as a precursor to the weather song, since our outfits are usually determined by the weather. Take a listen:
There are a few things that I need to know,
Before I get dressed today.
What’s the weather like?
Am I going to school?
Or just outside to play?
Because the people I see, and the places I go,
And whether there is sun or rain or snow,
All matter when I choose,
My clothes and my shoes.
Girls can wear a dress or skirt,
However, boys cannot,
We can all wear pants and even shorts,
Depending if it’s cold or it’s hot.
CHORUS
Next I’ll choose a shirt to wear,
Short-sleeved, or long,
Or maybe a sweater if it’s wintertime,
‘Cause in the summer that would be wrong.
CHORUS
Last but least comes shoes and socks,
Or sandals if it’s warm,
Sneakers if I’m playing outside,
Or boots if there is a storm.
CHORUS
I kept it simple, but I think it is effective. I’ve even found myself humming this tune a couple times this past week while standing in my closet, clueless as usual. Someday this will become an easy task…I hope!
Off To School Today
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!
Under, Over, In and Out
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
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?
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.
When the Saints Go Marching In
When I’m not composing original songs, you can bet I’m writing new lyrics for existing songs that are familiar and well-liked. I’m shared many of these songs in the past, and today I have a new one for you. Last month as I was brainstorming songs that might work as accompaniment to a drumming activity, the old standard “When the Saints Go Marching In” popped into my head.
Most everyone knows it, and if they don’t, it’s easy enough to learn. The melody and words are repetitive, and better yet, the song invites new verses. So that is exactly what I did…here is the song as I sing while my students bang away on the drums:
Oh when the saints go marching in,
Oh when the saints go marching in,
How I want to be in that number,
When the saints go marching in.
Oh when we play upon our drums,
Oh when we play upon our drums,
How I want to be in that number,
When we play upon our drums.
Oh when we hear the instruments,
Oh when we hear the instruments,
How I want to be in that number,
When we hear the instruments.
Oh when we keep that steady beat,
Oh when we keep that steady beat,
How I want to be in that number,
When we keep that steady beat,
Oh when the saints go marching in,
Oh when the saints go marching in,
How I want to be in that number,
When the saints go marching in.
You can change the words to this song to fit almost any activity, instrument-based or otherwise. I’m thinking of retooling it as a movement/following directions ditty sometime in the near future. The possibilities are endless!
February…and Football
Good evening! And happy February to you, too. Not only is today the start of a brand new month, but it is also Superbowl Sunday. Though I’m not a football fan, I have indulged my husband by feigning interest in the game :) Sundays are always busy for me, and today was no exception. After church I tackled several household projects, and I didn’t finish until it was time to go back for Church Mice. But now that I’m a little more relaxed, I will make you wait no more for the debut of the “February” song.
February is month number two,
The shortest of all the months, it’s true.
Usually twenty-eight days, but sometimes
At leap year, then there’ll be twenty-nine.
February second is Groundhog Day,
We’ll wait for the animal to come out and play.
Let’s hope his shadow he does not see,
It means spring will soon be here for you and me.
CHORUS
February fourteenth is Valentine’s Day,
We’ll give out cards and “I love you,” we’ll say.
Time for chocolate, and candy hearts too,
Pink and red flowers for me and you.
CHORUS
February also brings President’s Day,
Remembering those who paved the way
For the US to become so great,
And that is why we celebrate.
CHORUS
If you read this blog on a regular basis, you know that winter is not my favorite season. Not even my second…or third…favorite season. But I like to look at the bright side of things, and the bright side of February is that it is short! And one month closer to spring than January! So as the rest of the country roots for either the Steelers or the Cardinals, I’m rooting for the end of football season and hoping that the groundhog does not see his shadow tomorrow. Fingers are crossed!
What Do You Do?
Teaching social skills is high priority in the land of special education, especially when it comes to children with autism. Though many of the students with whom I work can be very social at times, it is a goal to teach the appropriate actions and responses in various situations. I was brainstorming this topic one day a few weeks ago and came up with this song, which I called “What Do You Do?”.
What do you do when you see a friend?
You wave, you wave.
What do you do when you see a friend?
You wave, you wave.
Waving’s what you do when you see a friend,
You wave using your hand,
So what do you do when you see a friend,
You wave, you wave.
What do you do when you’re feeling blue?
You cry, you cry.
What do you do when you’re feeling blue?
You cry, you cry.
Crying’s what you do when you’re feeling blue,
You cry, using your eyes.
So what do you do when you’re feeling blue,
You cry, you cry.
What do you do when you’re feeling glad?
You smile, you smile.
What do you do when you’re feeling glad?
You smile, you smile.
Smiling’s what you do when you’re feeling glad,
You smile using your mouth.
So what do you do when you’re feeling glad,
You smile, you smile.
What do you do when you hear a joke?
You laugh, you laugh.
What do you do when you hear a joke?
You laugh, you laugh.
Laughing’s what you do when you hear a joke,
You laugh using your voice.
So what do you do when you hear a joke?
You laugh, you laugh.
What do you do say right before you leave?
Goodbye, Goodbye.
What do you say right before you leave?
Goodbye, goodbye.
Goodbye is what you say right before you leave,
Goodbye only ‘til next time.
So what do you say right before you leave?
Goodbye, goodbye.
The staff and I encourage the students to act out each action (waving, “crying”, smiling, laughing, and waving/saying goodbye) as the song is sung, and they have such a fun time with this. There are many other situations you could sing about, so use your creativity. Those I included are pretty broad, but feel free to be more specific as you tailor the song to your own students. And don’t forget to share your ideas with me!
Ten Twinking Trees
Good morning everybody. It’s Monday, and we’re only a few days away from Christmas! It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? Today is my last day of school before a two-week break, but don’t worry, I’ll still be updating my blog as usual. I have a full day of classes, a dentist appointment, and a graduation ceremony to sing, so let’s get to it. Today’s song is called “Ten Twinkling Trees” and here it is:
Ten twinkling trees, standing strong and tall,
Which twinkling tree is the best of all?
Not this one here, for it’s not made of pine,
Let’s look at the other nine.
Nine twinkling trees, standing strong and tall,
Which twinkling tree is the best of all?
Not this one here, for it’s trunk’s not straight,
Let’s look at the other eight.
Eight twinkling trees, standing strong and tall,
Which twinkling tree is the best of all?
Not this one here, for it doesn’t point to heaven,
Let’s look at the other seven.
Seven twinkling trees, standing strong and tall,
Which twinkling tree is the best of all?
Not this one here, for there’s too much to fix,
Let’s look at the other six.
Six twinkling trees, standing strong and tall,
Which twinkling tree is the best of all?
Not this one here, for it didn’t thrive,
Let’s look at the other five.
Five twinkling trees, standing strong and tall,
Which twinkling tree is the best of all?
Not this one here, for it came from a store,
Let’s look at the other four.
Four twinkling trees, standing strong and tall,
Which twinkling tree is the best of all?
Not this one here, for it’s too big for me,
Let’s look at the other three.
Three twinkling trees, standing strong and tall,
Which twinkling tree is the best of all?
Not this one here, for its branches are few,
Let’s look at the other two.
Two twinkling trees, standing strong and tall,
Which twinkling tree is the best of all?
Not this one here, for it’s brighter than the sun,
Let’s look at the other one.
One twinkling tree, standing strong and tall,
It surely must be the best of all.
With branches full, and sized just right,
I’ll take it home and trim it tonight.
My own Christmas tree is trimmed and most of my presents are wrapped and waiting beneath it, though I still have a few last-minute items to add. These next couple of days will be hectic, but I love this time of year!
Clap, Stomp, and Spread Christmas Cheer
There’s no doubt that the Christmas spirit is alive and well at the Hope Institute, at least during music therapy. One of the songs I’ve included in my December activities is a play on “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”, which I found at the great site Preschool Education. It incorporates movement, following directions, and singing; in my opinion, that is the trifecta of elements that makes a great children’s song.
Let’s all do a little clapping,
Let’s all do a little clapping,
Let’s all do a little clapping,
And spread Christmas cheer.
Tapping (knees)
Stomping (feet)
Stretching (arms)
Nodding (head)
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
And a Happy New Year!
I ask my students for other movement suggestions, and some of my more active kids love to jump, skip, and run in place. Other ideas are snapping fingers, whistling, and clicking the tongue. Be creative! Also, I always ask everyone to sing with me during the last verse. It is a great way to end the music session, because it’s a familiar song that makes everyone feel good.
More Color Songs
Recently, a staff member at my school shared with me the color songs that her son was learning in kindergarten. They were so cute and easy to sing that I just had to pass them along to you – they are perfect for preschool and primary grades, and the best part is that anyone can sing them!
I wish I could give credit to the author of these simple but effective tunes…if anyone has this info, please let me know!
BLUE
tune: “The Farmer in the Dell”
B-l-u-e spells blue,
B-l-u-e spells blue.
Hi! Ho! Did you know?
B-l-u-e spells blue.
The big sky is blue.
The ocean is too.
Hi! Ho! Did you know?
B-l-u-e spells blue.
BROWN
tune: “Bingo”
There is a color we all know.
Can you guess what it is?
B-r-o-w-n, b-r-o-w-n, b-r-o-w-n,
That’s how you spell brown.
Teddy bears and squirrels are brown.
Autumn leaves are too.
Chocolate candy’s always brown.
Chocolate cake is always brown.
Chocolate milk is always brown.
I like brown, don’t you?
GREEN
tune: “Row Your Boat”
G-r-e-e-n, g-r-e-e-n,
I know how to spell green,
G-r-e-e-n!
Caterpillars are green,
And grasshoppers too.
I know how to spell green,
G-r-e-e-n!
ORANGE
tune: “Ten Little Indians”
O-r-a-n-g-e, o-r-a-n-g-e,
O-r-a-n-g-e, orange is what that spells.
Jack-o-lanterns are always orange,
Carrots are always orange,
Oranges are always orange.
O-r-a-n-g-e.
PURPLE
tune: “Camptown Races”
P-u-r-p-l-e
Purple, Purple
P-u-r-p-l-e
Purple’s what that spells.
Purple grapes on the vine,
Purple Kool-Aid’s fine.
P-u-r-p-l-e
Purple’s what that spells.
RED
tune: “Are You Sleeping?”
R-e-d, red
R-e-d, red
I can spell red.
I can spell red.
Firetrucks are red.
Stop signs are red, too.
R-e-d, r-e-d.
YELLOW
tune: “If You’re Happy and you Know It”
Y-e-l-l-o-w spells yellow,
Y-e-l-l-o-w spells yellow.
Like the early morning sun,
When the day has just begun,
Y-e-l-l-o-w spells yellow.
Daffodils and baby ducks are yellow,
Lemonade and scrambled eggs are yellow.
I like the smiley face that’s yellow,
He is such a happy fellow.
Y-e-l-l-o-w spells yellow.
Ten Little Turkeys
This one is absolutely a November staple. A teacher I worked with shared the words of what was originally a poem with me, and mentioned that it might make a cute song.
So I whipped up a fun little melody and added Ten Little Turkeys to my collection of Thanksgiving-themed songs. Not only do my students love singing it, but it targets several objectives, including rhyming and counting backwards from 10.
I like to pause at the end of each verse and let the kids fill in the number – they keep track of how many turkeys are left and show me using their fingers. This song stands on its own, or with visuals like turkey cutouts.
{Updated on 11/20/17} Psst…right now, you can become a VIP Listen & Learn Plus member and get all of these songs (plus hundreds more music resources for children) with a biannual payment plan. I only offer this once a year, and it ends soon! Click here for details.
Ugga Bugga Boo!
Halloween is on Friday, so I have just a few days to share a couple last minute songs with you. Today’s song can actually be used year-round, but it’s great at Halloween because of it’s title and lyrics – Ugga Bugga Boo! The phrase is silly and fun, and so is the song itself. It addresses simple movement and following directions such as clapping hands, tapping feet, and clicking the tongue (a sound that kids love to make once they learn how).
Ugga. Ugga Bugga. Ugga Bugga Boo boo boo!
Ugga. Ugga Bugga. Ugga Bugga me and you!
Get into the beat and clap your hands, out loud, out loud.
Get into the beat and clap your hands out loud!
Ugga. Ugga Bugga. Ugga Bugga Boo boo boo!
Ugga. Ugga Bugga. Ugga Bugga me and you!
Get into the beat and tap your feet, out loud, out loud.
Get into the beat and tap your feet out loud!
Ugga. Ugga Bugga. Ugga Bugga Boo boo boo!
Ugga. Ugga Bugga. Ugga Bugga me and you!
Get into the beat and click your tongue, out loud, out loud.
Get into the beat and click your tongue out loud!
Ugga. Ugga Bugga. Ugga Bugga Boo boo boo!
Ugga. Ugga Bugga. Ugga Bugga me and you!
Ugga Bugga Bugga Bugga Bugga Bugga boo boo boo –
And we’re through!
Up Close and Personal
Because music is such a huge part of my job, it’s easy to forget that it is also a personal hobby and something that I’ve done for fun almost all my life. I’ve been spending a lot of time writing and playing for myself lately, so having the opportunity to perform in front of an audience was a big thrill. Here is one of my original songs, “Second Chance Dance,” which I wrote for my husband last Valentine’s Day (and is based on the story of us):
If you’d like to hear more of my non-children’s songs, and read more about my foray into the world of singer-songwriters at www.rachelrambach.com.
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