Music is Magical in Pre-K!

Hi! I'm Ayn and I am a Ga. Pre-K teacher, serving 4 and 5 year olds in an inclusive setting. I share my classroom adventures on my blog, little illuminations.

We LOVE music in my classroom! We have music playing throughout the day and have several music and movement activities each day. Sometimes we are lucky enough to have special guests come to the class and share musical experiences with us. 

You may remember a post I wrote last year titled "Magical Meet-Up: When Worlds Collide, Magic Happens!" about having our illustrious Fairy Godmother of PreK+Sharing, Debbie Clement, come to our Pre-K class and share her music and books. It was a phenomenal experience and the children really enjoyed her visit!

Already this year, we've had several great musical experiences right in our own classroom! Today I'll share a few of these experiences here with you.

This fall, Mrs. Starcher, a local elementary music teacher and mom to one of my students, came to share some songs and stories with us. Many of the students in my class will have her as their music teacher next year, so it was a great way to get to know her! She read the classic children's book,"Caps For Sale" and sang much of the story, which brought a whole new level of enjoyment to the story, for both the children and for me!  She also played a couple of instruments, including the slide whistle (such a fun instrument!), and taught us a few new songs, including the Australian song, "Highway Number One" which became an instant hit and is requested by the students daily now!

We love to explore with sound, making patterns and rhythms with our rhythm sticks. Often, the children will use the instruments to add sound effects to a story I'm reading aloud. We like to play a copycat game where one student makes a rhythm and the other students close their eyes to listen, then try to repeat it.

While learning about nursery rhymes, we sang the song "Jack Be Nimble" substituting each student's name for Jack and each student took a turn to jump over the candlestick. A few times, we changed the action of the song from "jumping" to other actions like "skipping or hopping". 

We discovered a great song about "10 Apples Up On Top" done in the style of Jason Mraz and listened to it while we balanced beanbags on our heads. 

The kids frequently ask to hear songs that they hear "in Mommy's car". We've found children safe versions of popular songs like "Shake It Off", "What Does the Fox Say", "Shut Up and Dance" and their current favorite: "Watch Me Whip, Watch Me Nae Nae". They really can "bust a move" and have taught me a thing or two! ;)

Often, the kids like to get out instruments or scarves and play along with the music. I have a box in music center available so kids can make an instrument of their own if they wish.

We have recently changed up one of our favorites, "Boa Constrictor" by Peter, Paul and Mary. In the past, we've touched our own body parts (sort of like head, shoulders, knees and toes) but lately, we've used a small hula hoop with several children standing on the outside and one child inside the hula hoop. We move it up the child's body to go along with the song. The kids love it!

We have a wonderful little company that comes in and provides enrichment classes in our Preschool. They offer classes in computer (Computer Pals) , music (Music Pals) and signing (Signing Pals). I was lucky enough to book them for an "in house" field trip. We learned a song in sign language, learned some new music and movement songs, learned sign language color words and had a lot of fun! . Mrs. Julie and Mrs. Natalie are so talented and we are so lucky to have them! 

One of our favorite music and movement songs is "I Know a Chicken" by Laurie Berkner. We decided to make shakey eggs with some of leftover plastic Easter Eggs. The kids love making their own music and especially love to make it using their very own instruments! 

For the record, I should note, that I can not sing or play an instrument, but that does not stop us from making fun and music. We live it up in Pre-K and as long as we are all having fun, that is all that matters! 

 Stop by and visit me anytime at littleilluminations.blogspot.com or visit the little illuminations fanpage on facebook! And be sure to check out PreK+K Sharing EEE!

Birds

Hi! It's Carolyn from Kindergarten: Holding Hands and Sticking Together.  April is such a wonderful time of year to teach children about birds.  I wanted to share some ideas I love to use in my classroom.

Before I start, I wanted to share this "sign" of spring with you.   Two years ago yesterday, my sweet friend, who also teaches across the hall from me, lost her fiancé in a tragic accident.  I feel so blessed that we have such a strong support of friends here in our hallway (and together outside of school!).  Well, now we even have some support outside the window.  Just a couple weeks ago, a bird house was set up right outside her window.  (My friend does NOT like birds, by the way- usually.) However, since the beginning of this week, two bluebirds have been at the birdhouse each day.  They sit right outside of her window and look in or sit on top  of the bird house.  Bluebirds are not common here- and are a thrill to see.  

I told her they were bluebirds of happiness sent right for her, and she loved it. She hadn't heard of that, so I tried to find a picture to show her that they really are called "bluebirds of happiness."As I was looking, I found this first (by Presley Love) on a page that came up:

The timing could not have been better.



Now- onto my post!

My favorite introduction to my bird unit is reading Birds written by Kevin Henkes and illustrated by his wife, Laura Dronzek.

 

It is such a special book to read and share with children. Look at these pages!



If there are lots of birds in a tree, and they all fly away at the same time, it looks like the tree yelled,

 SURPRISE!



This page was maybe my favorite to share with the children. We talked about all different types of birds and the colors they may leave in the sky, if their feathers left marks. I had seen an idea from Ready, Set, Read with feather painting and feather patterning to go along with this story. I just loved the idea of feather painting!

I made this paper so that we could make our own feather paintings. I printed it on light blue for the sky color.  If you would like a copy, just click on the picture.

We studied lots of the feathers, and then chose some to use for our paintings. I let the kids  different feathers for the yellow, blue, and red paint. 

These paint bricks worked really well. I just had to remind the kids to be a little careful "flying" over the words- so we could still read them.  

I  also made a bulletin board in the hall with some of our artwork. I had the children only paint the feather marks on the paper for the bulletin board, and then tell me which birds they chose to make the marks. 

As I called a couple children at a time up to paint , the other children worked on this Types of Birds Easy Reader from Debi Forsyth.  It is free at her TPT store.  

I made this little paper to go along with her book, to show the children what each bird really looked like, so they could use it as a guide as they colored their books.  If you would like a copy of my bird pictures, just click on the picture below.  

I actually saved the page as a picture, and printed it out as a 5x7 picture, just to save some ink.  Then, I cut each one in half (since there are two strips on each page) and stapled a strip right onto the cover of each child's book.

The books came out so sweet!

My post about Birds and Bird Nests has LOTS of other bird ideas you might like to use.

This is my  Bird and Bird Nest Prezi at my TPT store.  I used it to show the pictures of the birds we talked about before we made our books. The children loved choosing which birds they would pretend left marks in the sky. 

Birds is one of the books featured in my Kevin Henkes' Author Study Packet.

AND Kevin Henkes is one of eight authors featured in my Writing Prompts Author Packet.  I put all of my author studies together in one packet.  I use these all the time. I love doing simple author studies with my kids. 



Here are the different books and authors in the packet.

I also just updated my Author's Prezi at my TPT store.  I included Kevin Henkes because I LOVE him and his books.  I use so many of his books throughout the year. The children loved learning more about him- and seeing some of his work.  The other authors I have included in my Prezi are  Eric Carle, Theodor Geisel, David Shannon, Jan Brett, Laura Numeroff, Donald Crews, Shel Silverstein, Norman Bridwell, Robert Munsch, and  Mo Willems.

Thank you for stopping by. Have fun reading and watching the birds!

Preschool Graduation: 5 Tips To Successful End of the Year Preschool Programs

Moving on to Kindergarten is a big deal!  It's a transition that is exciting for the preschoolers, their families, and to US and it should be celebrated!

With that said there is something we need to remember:  The program can be either fun and enriching OR it can be streesful and a time of dread for all involved!  Which one will be determined by your focus during the planning!

I do not think we should "do" s program simply because "it's what we've always done" or "the parents think it's cute".

Don't get me wrong, I'm ALL about celebrating this milestones--as long as the children's abilities and needs are the main focus during our planning.

When planning preschool graduation, many times we foget some things.

We forget that our children are still preschoolers.

We forget that they have just recently learned how to engage succssfully in cooperative play.

We forget that a large, whole-group production may be beyond their mastery!!

Now, I repeat, I am not against group programs!  I LOVE them when done well and planned with the children's abilities in mind.

Your group last year may have reenacted a skit wonderfully.

This year, however, your children this year may be at a different level emotionally, choronologically and developmentally.  You may have children with much higher activity levels than you did last year!

Each group is different!  Don't become "stuck" on a specific program or think you need to do the same program every year.

I have some tips for you as you begin to plan your end of the year program!

Tip 1:  Base your program on what your children already know and love.

Choose their favorite theme, topic or story from the year.  Build your program with that as the base.

How about some of these themes:  

Preschool Is Hoppin'; Fairy Tales: Preschool Style; Baby, It's Cold Outside; It's A Zoo Around Here

They are all based on preschool favorite stories!  

You can read the details of each one here on my Preschool Plays Ideas page.  

Tip 2:  Choose Concert Songs based on what they ALREADY know.

Prepare well in advance.  Don't teach children new songs or plays to learn 3 weeks before a program date!  

There are many Concert Ideas you can create based on your students' favorites!  

A few favorites of ours have been:  

• Preschool Movin & Goovin' Theme
• Fun on the Farm; Nursery Rhyme Time
• Splash 'n Sing Theme
• Travel Time
• Whole World Concert
• Art Show & Concert Combo

A couple of colleagues also added these ideas:

• Snoepie's Farmyard Fun
• The Toyshop

You can read the details of each one here on my Preschool Concerts Ideas page.  

Tip 3:  Define Their Personal Space, but DON'T sweat the small stuff!  

Provide circle mats or carpet squares set up on the area you will use.  This allows the children to have their own personal space and allow families to see their child.

But, don't stress about scenarios such as: "What if a child starts hopping around during a song?"  

Just accept that it may or will happen!  Rather than planning how to prevent it, plan for what to do when it happens!

Remember, they are PRESCHOOLERS!  They will be excited during the program.  They will (some of them) be nervous during the program with all those adults watching them!

If a child starts hopping around, have a "bag of tricks" ready!  

You could change up the order of your program at the last minute!  Don't be afraid to do that!  The children are singing their favorite songs--THEY don't care about the order they sing them in!

More on this in Tip #5.

Tip 4:  Expect preschool behavior, not elementary behavior! 

Take a potty run before the program...and no, they can NOT hold it!  Take a walk to the bathroom before the program and insist that eachy child "tries" before the program.  

Expect one of your children to decide that their dress or shirt looks really cool when it flares out and they twirl around....and for them to twirl a couple of times! 

Expect them to be excited and wave to their family mid song!  

As Billy Dean sings, "Let Them Be Little" (get out the tissues before you listen to this song!). Yes, redirect them, but expect your preschoolers to act like preschoolers!

Tip 5:  Plan for the Wiggles:  They Happen! 

Expect them because they WILL happen in the middle of your program!  

There are many things you can do do handle the wiggles.  It's no different than what you might do to help children refocus during Circle Time!

Use some "tried and true" songs you've used throughout the year.  Here are several:  

• Baby Bumblebee
• If You're Happy and You Know I
• This is the Way
• Wiggle Moves
• Wiggle Song
• Point to Me
• Open Shut Them
• Wiggle Wobble

You can read the words to each here on my Working Out the Preschool Wiggles page 

Summary: 

Enjoy this fun transition time with your children and their families!  Plan it to be a celebration with the children and you won't feel stressed by it!

You'll find links to all the pages in this article here on my main Preschool Concerts and Plays Page 

MORE RESOURCES:

I have always had mixed age groups and wanted different diplomas and/or certificates for each group of children and sometimes different ones for different children.  

For example, in my 3-5 year old class, they all received a certificate of completion but some of our my students were moving on to Kindergarten.  I wanted those children's diplomas to reflect that but wanted all the diplomas to have the same style.  

There were colleagues who also wanted diplomas for their children who were completing Kindergarten.

I created a packet of EDITABLE Preschool Graduation Diplomas.  

You can check them out here on my Preschool Diploma Page here  

I also have many articles all about Preschool Graduation covering ideas for gifts to make for and with the children, how to plan your Graduation Speech that you'll deliver to the parents, graduation activities, poems and more!

You'll find those articles here on my Preschool Graduation 101 page

Happy Planning!

Cheryl

About the author

Cheryl Hatch has taught and directed preschool programs for over 20 years.  She is the Creator and Owner of Preschool Plan It, a website dedicated to sharing preschool themes, activities, articles and training with early childhood educators.  She volunteers as the coordinator and teacher of the MOPPETS program in her town (a preschool program for the M.O.P.S.--Mothers of Preschoolers Program).  She has her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education.  Cheryl has been an active, integral member and leader within the Teachers.Net Early Childhood community for many years, moderating live chats and providing peer support on the Preschool Teachers Chatboard.  You can read Cheryl’s articles, activities and themed preschool lesson plans at www.preschool-plan-it.com 

Why Teaching Ethics IS part of STEAM

Last week, I was doing a workshop on using music to teach Science & Math.  As I scrolled on my iPod to get to a song, another song appeared.  It was about telling the truth.  I paused for a moment and thought, "This song has nothing to do with STEAM." Then, I realized, it had a lot to do with STEAM.  And, music is a vehicle to teach the ethics needed to be good scientists and mathematicians!!

Imagine a world where scientists and mathematicians were never taught the value of honesty.  After spending years on research, things didn't come out as was hoped.  One must be truthful, willing to let go of years of research if the findings do not support the hypothesis.  The public must be able to trust the released results.  Lives could depend on it.  Imagine doctors who were comfortable with false reports or accountants who switched around numbers to make things work.
             It would just throw everything OfF.  We NEED to depend on one another.  

It shouldn't be easy to lie; it should make you uncoMfortable.  This is not something that just comes into being without being nurtured.  For most, human nature plays the part of making us feel badly when we are being dishonest.  Good parenting and good teachers help children understand those feelings and mold the character.  I produced a song called "Tell the Truth" .   In it, a young girl talks about how she lied and couldn't sleep.  When she told the truth, she felt better.  (I did have one parent question me about that.  Would I REALLY tell a child their belly would hurt and they wouldn't be able to sleep if they lied?  Absolutely!)

Pam Schiller has a wonderful book out called The Values Book .  It has many helpful ways to teach values and build character.

"The Boy Who Cried 'Wolf!'" is a song on my CD "The Wide-mouthed Bullfrog (and other Stories I Like to Sing)".  Children are capable of discussing the story and what it means and the consequences of his words.  Talking it out gives the brain a chance to work it out from different angles and totally comprehend the concept.

Value systems are set in place by the age of approximately 7.  Children must have an understanding of the importance of keeping their word because people are relying on them.  For the world to run well, we need a moral compass we can depend on.  When we are unsure, we feel unsafe.

Sing songs in your classrooms (homes) that value VALUES.  Am I idealistic?  At times.  I truly believe in the importance of using music as a vehicle to teach ethics and that goes hand-in-hand with being good people all around - whether we are Scientists, Mathematicians, Doctors, Accountants, Teachers, Parents or any occupation.  It just makes a better world.
                                                WHAT DO YOU THINK????

Sing-cerely,
Maryann "Mar." Harman
www.musicwithmar.com
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Reuse Leftover Paintings

It's Scott from Brick by Brick. I love to repurpose materials—use materials in ways different from their intended purpose.

The other day I walked into my classroom and saw some painting that had been left in the room. Children left the paintings to dry and forgot to come back and get them. 

Seeing these paintings reminded me of a way we reused a painting a few years ago. We had painted a group painting. It became quite the abstract picture. We hung the painting (after drying) in our room to admire.

After a few weeks, I took the painting down. I didn't want to just toss it. So I put on my repurposing hat. I punched out circles and cut other shapes and put those shapes out with paper and glue. Children could make collages with the "painted" pieces.

When I looked through the collage box the other day, I found a group of these shapes, ready for more kids to use. 

I thought about Eric Carle, the children's book author and illustrator. He creates different textured papers. He cuts shapes and glues them onto other paper to create his illustrations. What a fun thing for children to do, too!

Whether you make painted paper for collages on purpose or just have leftover paintings from other art exploration, look for ways to repurpose and incorporate those paintings into other learning explorations. You may be helping influence the Eric Carles of the future!