CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

Winter Waits
Written by Lynn Plourde
Illustrated by Greg Couch
ISBN: 978-0-689-83268-0

This story is the tale of Winter, the child of Mother Earth and Father Time. Winter must find a way to occupy his time during the day while waiting for Father Time to finish working. There is a repeating pattern as Winter waits an hour or two, an hour or three, an hour or four for his father.

The story is told in rhyme and can be sung to the melody of either Twinkle, Twinkle or London Bridge. If sung to London Bridge, you'll need to repeat the words of the second phrase of the poem just as you do with London Bridge (i.e. falling down, falling down). Read through the book a few times as there are a few adjustments in the rhythm pattern of the words that will be needed to sing to the familiar melody.

Extension: Sing the book to either song in minor. It brings a wonderful new musical feeling to the storyline.

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

Say Hello to the Snowy Animals!Written by Ian Whybrow
Illustrated by Ed Eaves
ISBN: 978-0-7607-9675-7

This book is currently available (and on a sale shelf) at Barnes and Noble Booksellers. The story introduces the reader to many wonderful winter animals that are presented on each page as a "touch and feel" picture. Each page includes a 2-line verse that can be adaptedly sung to "Oh, Won't You Sit Down."

An additional activity includes animal responses on each page (i.e. the polar bear response is "grrr, grrr, grrr"; the snowy owl response is "hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo"; and the artic hare response is "thump, thump, thump."

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

The House in the NightWritten by Susan Marie Swanson
Illustrated by Beth Krommes
ISBN: 978-0-618-86244-7

“In the house / burns a light. / In that light / rests a bed. On that bed / waits a book.” The journey detailed beyond describes a fantastical bird which spirits away the child on a song into the starry sky. While the cumulative tale may seem familiar, the pictures (mostly black and white) lead the reader into mystical night-time adventures. The book can be adaptedly sung to "The Green Grass Grew All Around."

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

Bats at the BeachWritten by Brian Lies
ISBN: 978-0-618-55744-8

This wonderful tale of bats in the springtime evening can be sung to “Skip to My Lou.” Simply change the word "spring" to "fall" and you have a wonderful tale that sure to engage your little guys during the Autumn months. Best of all -- it can be a wonderful Halloween story without the actual Halloween connections. The author, Brian Lies, has also recently published a second book, Bats at the Library.

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

Over the years, I continue to hear teachers ask about the children's books that I connect to familiar folk songs and singing games. With that in mind, I've decided that my last post each month will be a children's literature connection to familiar folk literature. I hope this will add many wonderful titles to your library.

Louella Mae, She’s Run Away
Written by Karen Beaumont Alarcón
ISBN: 978-0-0-8050-3532-X

This title can be sung to “Oh, Where? Oh, Where Has My Little Dog Gone?”

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

STEADY BEAT - APPLE POINTER

Well, I have decided to finally learn more about the world of blogging. I must admit that I got my inspiration from the movie, "Julie and Julia." So -- I've come home and after a day, I've decided that I, too, have something to share and that it may benefit others . . . or perhaps at least a classroom or two.

What will my thoughts share? I know that there are so many out there sharing that it's probably difficult to find a location to return to on a regular basis. However, I think that my gift is in education. Therefore, I have decided to blog my thoughts on classroom activities and ideas.

I will make a commitment -- just like the movie -- to come to this location once a week on Saturdays and share a thought or classroom idea. I hope that my thoughts spark the creative gene in you to create new and refreshing ideas that will inspire those that you teach each day -- the children.


Saturday - August 8, 2009
Find an apple die-cut shape (or cut one out yourself) at your local dollar store or teacher store. Head to your local hardware store and purchase a dowel rod or plastic putty knife (found in the paint section). I use plastic since it can the germs from little hands can be wiped off. :) You can either laminate the apple shape or simply use clear packing tape to cover the shape to protect it from dirt. After you have laminated the apple, attach the apple shape at one end and use the new "apple pointer" for steady beat activities that you have written on your board or on cards to put into your pocket chart.

So, there you have it -- my inspiration and my initial blog.