Turn the Music Up Linky Party

       I just found a new blog with lots of great ideas.  Amanda Madden at Teaching Maddeness  is hosting a linky party about music in the classroom. There are three parts to this linky party.

1. Favorite Educational CD to use in the classroom:

Without question, Dr. Jean's CDs are my absolute favorite. The first Dr. Jean CD I bought was  Sing to Learn and its still my favorite.  I love Alphardy (or "A for Apple" as my kids call it) for teaching letter sounds and Macarena Math for teaching skip counting.  Although I own lots of her CDs, I think that it is wonderful that I can now go to her site and order just the songs that are appropriate for my class. 

2. Just for fun CD to use in the classroom:

Although I don't actually listen to much classical music outside of school, I love using classical music during quiet time in my classroom.  This CD is great because the music isn't "dumbed down" for kids ... it's engaging, upbeat music played by famous orchestras.  When I taught kindergarten, I would put this on and turn off the lights when we came in from recess so the kids could have a few minutes to quietly unwind.  The kids soon learned their favorite composers and loved "conducting" the orchestra with their hands.   

3. Music I'm thinking about buying but would like feedback about:

Has anyone heard this new Jack Hartman CD?  I like the idea that the music is directed toward preschoolers but I can't find much about it online. 

I'm looking forward to finding new music to play in my class.  What are your favorites?

Eyes, Hearts and Hands

          Before snack each day, my students say the following grace: May we have eyes that see (point to eyes), hearts that love (put both hands over heart) and hands that are ready to help (hold hands out, palms up).  We then all hold hands and "in our own brains" think about something we are thankful for.  This moment of silence lasts pretty long - between 15-30 seconds.   I end the moment of silence by saying "please give a gentle squeeze and enjoy your snack."  I absolutely love the grace and the moment of silence.  This year was really funny because as soon as we did the "gentle squeeze" all of the kids would blurt out what they were thankful for...mommy, family, friends (by name often), the whole universe, school, toys...it was a really thankful group :)

         When I taught kindergarten in a public school, we always started our day by doing the Pledge of Allegiance in sign language. I used the version that I learned from Dr. Jean.  I describe the motions here. I found that the kids really understood the words when we added the sign language.  In fact, when I brought out a balance scale for math one day, one of my little ones piped up..."that's just like justice." After the pledge we went right into our Kindergarten Pledge: "May we have eyes that see, hearts that love and hands that are ready to help." (sound familiar?) I'm not sure if it was appropriate for a public school but the school pledge that the older kids did (and that we could never hear in our classroom because the nearby loud speakers didn't work) was really long and not age-appropriate. The simple words and motions meant much more to my little ones (and summarize quite nicely what is most important).

Teaching in the Digital Age-Book Study Blog Party

       I was initially disappointed when I saw that the book chosen for the book study blog party that several bloggers that I follow are participating in is titled Teaching in the Digital Age.  I feel pretty strongly that digital tools do not belong in my 1/2 day preschool program.  However, I was intrigued because  Dr. Jean was involved.  I have just read the introduction and first chapter of the book and it looks like the book will help teachers use technology both for assessment and as a teaching tool.  I understand that technology does not refer only to computers and ipads but also to digital cameras, audio recorders, webcams, projectors and smart boards.   However, what I worry about is the notion that young children should be using computers or ipads in class or, for that matter, any technology that that takes time away from interacting with classmates and teachers and actually "getting their hands on" toys, books, crayons and scissors. 

Summarizing the Year with Our Pre-K ABCs

      This is yet another idea that I got from Dr. Jean.  During the last week or two of each year, I work on an ABC book with my kiddos.  For each letter of the alphabet be try to think of several people or Pre-K activities that start with that letter.  This year I did the book a little differently.  I decided to only include things that we had photos of (other years we've included favorite books and songs).    Because I wanted to print the book in color, I printed 2 pages per page and then cut and folded the pages so the fold was on the outside which made for a very study little book.  The kids loved reading their ABC book and can't wait to share it with their families tonight. 

I went back and added captions to each picture by hand before copying the book. I was having too many problems typing the captions on the crowded pages.

Today the kids brought home their pre-K portfolios.  Very exciting!

I LOVE DR. JEAN

            I was volunteering in a kindergarten class last week and a child I was helping was having trouble writing his numbers.  I found myself saying, "remember, curve around and slide to the right."  He didn't remember because he didn't know Dr. Jean's number song ?!?! I was so surprised because I can't imagine teaching without her.  Without question, she is the person who has most influenced my teaching.  Each and every day we sing at least 2 of her songs.  When my students get to pick a song, they always choose Tooty-ta.  I teach reading by routinely referring to what "good readers do."  When I taught in Chester, the students choreographed the greatest dance to "The Tools of Good Readers."
            In addition to music, there are so many other ideas that I routinely use that came from Dr. Jean.  My children (in both Chester and Swarthmore)  love Oreo Words.  I learned about them (and "kiss your brain," and letter vests, and pinching e, and sight word cheers, and....the list goes on and on) at a Dr. Jean conference I attended in South Carolina. (My daughter was in college down there...talk about a perfect weekend - Kiera and Dr. Jean!)
         I know that most people who read blogs know about Dr. Jean... I guess I just wanted to send her an open love letter to thank her for all she does for teachers.   Dr. Jean, you're the best!!

Kids playing with Oreo Words during Free Play!