The Educational Songs and Children's Music Blog

April Activities... for the birds!

Submitted by Karen Rupprecht...

Duck Race

Children line up at a designated starting line. At the word "waddle" they bend over, grab their ankles and begin waddling toward the finish point. The child first to finish, without letting go of his or her ankles, WINS. Asking children to quack while waddling is ducky too.

Flying Paper Duck Craft

Materials: A paper plate, glue, stapler, pencil, yellow and orange construction paper, yellow paint, black marker, string, and a hole punch.

Method: Trace the child's hand on yellow paper and cut it out. Fold a paper plate in half and paint it yellow. After it dries, staple the hand shape onto the left side of the plate to become the tail feathers. Cut out a 3" circle from the yellow paper for the duck head and cut an oval from the orange paper for the duck's bill. Make a tab on the end of the bill by folding in half and glue it to the end of the circle. Draw eyes with the marker or glue on "googly" eyes. Punch a hole in the top of the plate, thread string through it and hang up to fly.

Fun Fingerplays - All the Little Ducklings

All the little duckings line up in a row.
(Stand up in a line.)
Quack, quack, quack away they go.
(Clap 3 times and then walk in place.)
They follow their mother waddling to and fro.
(Put hands behind like a tail then waddle.)
Quack, quack, quack, and away they go.
(Clap 3 times then waddle away.)

Miss Pennypack's Funnies

Question: What happens when ducks fly upside down?
Answer: They quack up!

Question: What does a duck say when he buys something?
Answer: "Please put it on my bill!"

Question: How do you get down from an elephant?
Answer: You don't. You get down from a duck!

Listen to Feathered Friends in the audio player, below.

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Using Music to Teach Early Reading Skills

Submitted by Cathy Bollinger

     Did you know that when you are involved in music, more parts of your brain are being activated than with almost anything else?

     There is so much research out now describing the many ways music can help children learn!  Studies have shown that using music to teach content can actually increase test scores. Learning to read is enhanced through music because music is motivating and engaging.
     Below is a brief description of how songs can help within the five areas of reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension:

  •     Phonemic Awareness:  Many songs are packed with alliteration and rhyme. As children listen to these songs they recognize individual sounds within a word and notice the same sounds in different words.
  •     Phonics:  After children have become familiar with a song, put the lyrics in front of them.  As they recognize the first letter in key words, they start to "crack the code" of reading!
  •     Fluency:  Repetition is key to fluency, and music makes repeated practice enjoyable!  Children are able to experiment with grammatical rules and rhyming through song. Songs also discourage speed reading.
  •     Vocabulary/Comprehension:  Many songs provide lively oral language experience. Children repeatedly hear higher-level vocabulary laced within simple melodies. Many of the same reading strategies can be practiced with songs such as re-telling, visualizing, and questioning.

    • For example, take a look at my lyrics for Bumpbibble Bump. As you can see, this song builds phonological awareness of the /b/ sound, and its association with the letter "B."  Children love to use hand motions with songs, further increasing their interest, involvement and comprehension.

    Listen to Bumpbibble Bump in the audio player, below

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Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

Submitted by Marla Lewis

Did you know that there are 34 million people of Irish ancestry in the US?  That's almost 9 times more than the population of Ireland (3.9 million). It's no wonder that St. Patrick's Day is such a widely celebrated holiday in the US!  The St Pat's Day Parade in the New York City is the largest in the world, with 150,000 marchers and 2 million spectators.

Here are some great ways to celebrate this holiday in the classroom, incorporating Social Studies, art, reading and writing:

Listen to Everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day in the audio player, below.

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Transportation and Safety Activities: Go, Go, Go!

Submitted by Karen Rupprecht...

From Months of Music by Karen Rupprecht and Pam Minor

Red Light, Green Light

  •    One child is chosen to be IT (the stoplight.)
  •    The child stands at a distance (15ft) from the other players and turns her back.
  •    She says, "green light." The players run towards her until she turns and says, "red light."
  •    Any player she sees moving is sent back to the starting point. Play continues until one person tags IT and becomes the stoplight.

Racing Car Craft

Materials: A cardboard box, 4 paper plates, black and colored paints, paint brushes, white and pale blue construction paper, scissors, and glue.

Method: Paint the box a color of your choice and let it dry. Paint the four plates black and let them dry. Cut out two headlights from white paper and glue to the front end of the car. Cut one windshield and two windows out of pale blue paper. Glue the windshield onto the front of the box above the headlights, and stick each window onto each side of the box toward the front. Ask the child to pick a number and paint that on the sides of the car. Gentlemen (and ladies) start your engines!

Fun Fingerplays - The Airplane

The airplane has great big wings, it's propeller spins around.
(arms outstretched - one arm circles around)
The plane goes up, the plane goes down.
(lift arms)(lower arms)
The plane flies high all over the town.
(arms outstretched and turn body around)

Pigella's Racing Car Snacktivity

Ingredients:

  •    1 large graham cracker
  •    1 package of cream cheese
  •    red food coloring
  •    2 pretzel wheels
  •    raisins
  •    a knife, spoon, and bowl

An adult mixes the cream cheese with a few drops of red food coloring until smooth. The child then spreads the cream cheese onto the graham cracker and places two pretzels at the bottom for wheels. Choose a number and outline it on the cracker with the raisins. Please don't race when you eat this car!

Miss Pennypack's Pointers

Riding in a plane, train, or car is a treat but...
The healthy way to go is to use your feet.
Walking here and there is great exercise,
It builds strong muscles in legs and thighs.
You can walk fast or be very slow...
Just keep on walking and go...go...go.

Listen to a sample of Go, Go, Go! from Months of Music in the audio player, below.

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Using Shakers to Teach Important Concepts

Submitted by Rachel Rambach

I am always looking for ways to incorporate instruments into my lessons with young children.  Instruments make a fun addition to any song or activity, and they can also serve as effective aids in teaching a particular skill or concept.

Take shakers, for instance.  I use bright, multi-colored egg shakers and chiquitas (egg shakers with handles) on a regular basis for several reasons:
     a) they fit right into my students' little hands
     b) virtually no skill is required (Shakers sound good no matter what!)
     c) they can be worked seamlessly into many goal-based activities.

In fact, I've written several songs based on the use of shakers.  While some are just for fun, others have a specific objective in mind.  Shakers, Up High! is an example of the latter; this song combines shaker playing, color identification, taking turns, and following directions.  Sounds complicated, right?  Well actually, it couldn't be any simpler. 

Everyone gets a shaker, which could be one of five colors (or more/less, depending on the shakers you have on hand).  The students play their shakers throughout the song, holding it high in the air when his or her color is called.  Listening is key to this activity!

For students who are just beginning to learn colors, it is helpful to include a visual (either a card displaying each color or an actual shaker) when naming the different colors in the song.  I always change up the order in which I name them, just to keep everyone on their toes.  

Happy shaking! 

Listen to a sample of Shakers, Up High! from Listen & Learn: Instruments in the audio player, below.

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Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Submitted by Jamie McElroy

Dr. Suess' imagination and his whimsical rhyming stories have become a staple of childhood for millions of people. His books bridge gaps between generations, allowing parents to share their favorite characters with their children. The 250 words that comprise the Cat in the Hat were a major breakthrough to help fight illiteracy in schools. Beginning reader books were no longer uninteresting as that trouble making, hat sporting, friendly feline lead the way into Dr. Suess' world.

With over 40 books published throughout his career, Suess, touched on various political views incorporating them into his stories. Environmental concern is apparent in The Lorax, while anti-consumerism is touched on in How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, and The Sneetches preaches equality. Dr. Suess managed to keep the books light-hearted  and interesting for young readers, yet make them deeper than the typical Dick and Jane books of the time.

So raise your glass to honor the day
the Cat in the Hat had asked to play.
On the second of March, it's Suess' birthday!
Read your favorite Suess books
in your comfy book nook
and remember the one that made reading fun. 

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss
(Sing to the Tune of If You're Happy and You Know It)

There’s a wocket in your pocket, Dr. Suess
There are red and blue fish, green fish in there, too
There’s the Cat in the Hat with Horton and the Whos,
Singing Happy, Happy Birthday Dr. Suess!

Oh no, Thing One and Thing Two are on the loose
There’s a fox that’s wearing socks but has no shoes
There’s the Lorax and the Sneetches standing with Bartholomew
Singing Happy, Happy Birthday Dr. Suess!

There goes Thidwick, he’s the Big-Hearted Moose
And the boy who ran the zoo, he’s Gerald McGrew
There’s the Grinch and Cindy Lou on their way to Solla Sollew
Singing Happy, Happy Birthday Dr. Suess!

Listen to a sample of If You're Happy and You Know It in the audio player, below.
Sheet Music and an Instrumental Track are available for purchase.

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Journal Writing in Early Childhood

Submitted by Tonya Wright
When most of us think of journal writing, we often conjure up an image of a cute little diary with a lock and key that contains pages of feelings, and is often tucked away in a nightstand or under a mattress. So let’s take a moment to erase that preconceived notion from our heads. Officially, journal writing is “a personal record of occurrences, experiences, and reflections kept on a regular basis.” Preschoolers have “occurrences, experiences, and reflections” so why can’t  they write in a journal?! I know what you are thinking…preschoolers cannot WRITE so how can we expect them to write in a JOURNAL?
 
It’s widely established that literacy activities in early childhood are essential building blocks for future school success. However, too often, we think that “literacy” just means that we read books to children and provide a print-rich environment. Children need opportunities to learn that they can use language to communicate with others. Journal writing with young children serves five major purposes:
1.       It teaches children that their thoughts, feelings, and words can be transferred from their minds onto paper for others to see and read.
2.       Children learn to value writing, and to respect the writing of others.
3.       Journal writing gives children REAL and RELEVANT opportunities to learn the conventions of print such as:  a)print goes from left to right; b) there is a difference between pictures and text; c) print goes from the top to the bottom of a page; d) letters make up words, and other rules of the written language.
4.       Young children need to experiment with letters, letter sounds, and inventive spelling in a non-threatening way.
5.       Writing gives children time to practice the fine motor control that will help them become better writers.
 
When you begin journal writing with young children, there are some general rules to keep in mind:
1.       Involve children in creating and decorating the journals. Make it fun and allow them to be creative so that their journal feels special and unique. The journals can be a few pieces of paper tucked in-between construction paper or tag board, or it can be more elaborate. Keep a few blank books handy so children who use up all their pages will be able to continue their writing without missing a beat!  Here are some links to book-making for children:
a.       Book projects
2.       I suggest using plain paper on the inside of the journals as opposed to paper with lines. Children will have enough time to HAVE to “write on the lines.” Journal writing should not have such steadfast rules. Besides, if you look at children’s story books, text is not ALWAYS at the bottom. Sometimes the text is next to the pictures, sometimes above, and sometimes below. Let children be the boss of their own writing!
3.       The adult (parent or teacher) is NOT allowed to make any corrections. Journal writing is purely free expression and children should not be worried about writing their letters and words the “right” way.
4.       Only write in the child’s journal if they ask you to. If a child dictates a sentence to you, ask them WHERE on the page they want you to write and write it EXACTLY as they say it. Do not make any edits. Give the children control over their work.
5.       Pictures convey meaning so it’s ok if a child does not want to write words (real or pretend) in their journal.
6.       DATE each entry. I would give the children a choice, they could copy the date from a sentence strip that I prepared (sentence strips are easier than writing on the chalkboard because children can take the paper right to their seat) OR they could stamp the date using a stamp and inkpad.  Dating the entry helps teachers, parents, and the child see progress over time!
7.       Provide a regular time and place for writing. Make the special time happen at least once a week. Also, don’t require children to sit at the table/desk while writing. If they want to curl up in the corner with a pillow and a handful of crayons, then that’s OK. We often impose so many classroom rules that we stifle children.  Allow children to choose crayons, markers, or pencils. Again, it’s about giving children some level of control over their creations!
8.       Encourage children to use inventive spelling. If they write a string of letters and words, ask them to read those “words” to you.  Help them to understand the power of their writing. If you are tracking progress, you may want to write the child’s dictation on a post it note and date it. You can save the post it note with your classroom anecdotal records, but do not rewrite what the child said in his journal. Doing so sends the message that their spelling was incorrect or not good enough.
9.       Provide time for children to share their journal with a friend or teacher. After journal writing time, I would randomly pair the children and let them go to any place in the classroom to share their journals with each other. Think of it this way: would the author of a book be happy if NO ONE read her work? Most authors write because they have something to say that they want to share with other people. So give children this same opportunity to share.
10.   Most importantly, make journal writing fun and relaxing!  
 
Write On!
 

Using Fingerplays for Educational Purposes

Submitted by Music with Mar.

How sad it is to me when I am speaking at a kindergarten conference and teachers tell me they “Don’t have time” for fingerplays anymore!  What?  I understand the pressures of the trickle down curriculum, but honestly, fingerplays are an important connection to all the cognitive areas.

The use of fingerplays (child controls puppets) develops:
     1. motor control;
     2. self-expression;
     3. a strong foundation for building math skills
        (in fingerplays with numbers and counting)
     4. self-control; and
     5. control of fine motor finger skills for writing

Fingerplays also meet the directive of child-directed activity.  Once you introduce a song, you leave the props for the children to then make it their own.

Here’s a suggestion for the upcoming holiday this week:

Five Valentines
(Available on Songs at My Fingertips)

I have five valentines for Valentines Day
I have five valentines I can give away
The first is for mom; the second’s for dad.
When they get them, they’ll be glad.
Grandma and Grandpa, this third one’s for you.
Now I am left with only two.
For my teacher at school, I’ve said number four.
Now it’s time to give away one more.
This last valentine I’m going to send
Is for you, my very special friend. 

Suggestions:

  •    Have children count as you put the hearts on your fingers.  To keep them paying attention (and to introduce addition and subtraction), begin putting them on and then take one off or two off.  Put back on.  They giggle and get very challenged. 
  •    Discuss to whom you may give a valentine song.  Sing song. 
  •    Ask who was mentioned in song and to whom else we can give valentines.
  •    Make valentines!

Written by Maryann “Mar.” Harman

Listen to a clip from "Five Valentines" in the audio player, below.

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Black History Month in Song

Submitted by Two of a Kind

Black History Month offers teachers a wonderful opportunity to teach students about some of the great heroes in American history who are sometimes overlooked.  Teaching about history through music is an exciting and effective way to engage students. 

Two of a Kind has recorded a number of songs about African American heroes including

These songs give some facts about individuals who made a difference in the history of the United States.  It can be valuable to pair these songs with a research activity, such as making a poster about an individual person.  A wonderful book by Faith Ringgold called Dinner at Aunt Connie’s House will introduce students to a whole host of people about whom they may never have heard.

In addition to songs about specific African Americans, it’s also important to talk about why we have Black History Month and why it is important to learn about the contributions of African Americans.  Learning songs from the time of slavery, such as Follow the Drinking Gourd and Oh Mary Don’t You Weep will help put some of the history into context. 

 

Talking about racism and the Civil Rights Movement offers an opportunity to share some of the great songs from the 1950’s and 1960’s such as “We Shall Overcome,” We Shall Not Be Moved and Oh Freedom.

 

Two of a Kind has also recorded songs about confronting racism, celebrating diversity and human rights for all.  These songs include

 

These are just a few of the many resources available to help celebrate Black History Month with your students.

Written by Jenny Heitler-Klevans. Two of a Kind

Fun Facts for February

Submitted by Rachel Rambach

Despite the fact that February is the shortest month of the year, it can often feel like the longest.  Winter is in full force, which means inclement weather, often keeping our students inside.  Long days spent entirely in the classroom can result in a bit of cabin fever for both students and teachers, and this is when the countdown to spring usually begins!  

But since there are still several more weeks of winter (according to the groundhog), here are a few fun facts for February to share with your students:

  •    January and February were the last two months to be added to the Roman calendar.
  •    The word February comes from the Latin term februum, meaning purification.
  •    There are two common pronunciations for the word February: one with the first "r", and one without. (It is considered proper to use the former.)
  •    Leap year occurs every 4 years (when the year is divisible by 4).  In leap year, February has 29 days instead of 28.
  •    The birthstone for February is the amethyst.  

Luckily, there are several special distinctions and holidays that give us reason to celebrate during this month.  Black History Month, Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day, Holidays and Presidents' Day all occur during the month of February, all of which provide wonderful opportunities for learning through song and fun activities.  

Listen to a sample of February from Listen & Learn: Months in the audio player, below. 

 

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