“When children dramatize, move to, or create music to represent a story, they become actively involved in working with the ideas in the story … As they translate the words to art forms, each story comes to life. Indeed, the act of transforming or translating is fundamental to attaining understanding … Continue reading
A few days ago, I experienced a small Christmas tree disaster, truly a first-world problem. I was on my own putting up the tree, and could NOT get it to stand up straight. I must have tried for an hour, straining my hands on those screw-things on the stand, tightening … Continue reading
It was a bit too cold on Thanksgiving this year in New England, a reminder that real winter is just around the corner. You can find some of my favorite winter songs and stories on this blog. Leo Lionni’s classic story of Frederick the mouse is always great. You can … Continue reading
Hello, all you teachers and other musical people getting ready to sing some awesome songs for the Halloween season! It’s less than two weeks away. At our Children’s Music Network conference last weekend, some people wondered if we should stop singing the song “Dem Bones,” given concerns about singing old … Continue reading
On October 12-14, some children’s musicians enjoyed a great weekend in Huron, Ohio, at The Children’s Music Network’s annual conference. The conference always happens in the fall, which means we get a fine selection of everyone’s Halloween songs. Today, I present a perennial favorite of my own, “Rockin’ Pumpkin,” sung … Continue reading
This is an October song that I enjoy every fall with young children. The tune is at this link. October, October, leaves orange, green, red, yellow, brown. October, the wind blows. Leaves falling down, down to the ground, leaves fall down to the ground. With its ¾ meter, this is … Continue reading
Happy October! I’m dedicating some blog space to offering my favorite October songs this month. It’s fun to sing about fall, but really, Halloween songs just can’t be beat for all-around spooky fun. I recommend my Halloween Rhymes song for rhyming-word learning and howling all month long. You can download … Continue reading
This September, I’m learning new things about monarch butterflies and singing my butterfly song. I’d always thought spring was the time to sing about butterflies, but actually, butterflies such as monarchs are very much a part of life and nature in the fall, too. Thanks to one of the teachers … Continue reading
Following up on my previous post about singing with kids, I’m excited to share a list of my favorite “classic” songs to share with today’s children. Singing the classics gives children a sense of history and tradition; we ought to pass along the best of folk traditions to the next … Continue reading
As another school year begins, let’s pause to consider one experience that’s almost certain to make school a better place: making music. Singing as a group is an awesome way to build school community and empower children to do good in the world. While I love it when classes sing … Continue reading
