Sew Bookish Blog

Musical Monday!: Education Through Music

1/28/2019

A Brief History of Education Through Music

Mary Helen Richards founded the Richards Institute of Education and Research and created Education Through Music (ETM). Mary Helen was a music teacher that wanted to create an approach to teaching music that was more hands-on. Even though ETM was originally created as an approach to music literacy, classroom teachers realized the benefits of ETM and began to use it in their classrooms to help build literacy skills in their students. The students of ETM come from all walks of life - music teachers, classroom teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, social workers, peditricians, librarians, and caregivers studying the work of ETM.

The body of work that makes up ETM is comprised of English folksongs. The folksongs have been set to Song Experience Games (SEGs). The SEGs of ETM have a structure and routine that is designed to support a child’s development and learning process.

ETM teaches caregivers (I am using this term very broadly but it applies to anyone that works with or cares for children) how to:

build regard and healthy adult/child relationships
stabilize and motivate children
teach children how to…
- take turns
- manage their disappointment
- how to read by providing caregivers with a foundation of understanding the latest research in brain development in children

For the librarians reading this - ETM is also a wonderful vehicle for literacy. It meets children where they are at developmentally and fills them with joyful experiences that will help them develop literacy skills that are essential to becoming a lifelong reader.

How I Found ETM, or, How ETM Found Me

My discovery of ETM was kismet. As the saying goes, I was “in the right place at the right time.”

It was 2009 and there were no teaching jobs to be found (#GreatRecession). I was a freshly minted graduate with a degree in elementary education and a minor in music. Until I could secure a full-time teaching gig, I kept myself busy working as a substitute teacher in the district where I student taught and moonlighted as a children’s associate at my local library. In June of 2010, I finally landed my first teaching gig as a first through third-grade music teacher. I was elated!

Shortly after receiving the good news, I happily went off to a teaching conference where I attended a session called “Education Through Music.” I don’t remember exactly what was said or done during that session, but I left feeling intrigued and excited. This approach was so different than anything else I had seen. I needed to know more!

When August rolled around and it was time to meet my 325 students I began to feel a small sort of panic set in. How on earth was I going to learn 325 names? How was I going to connect with 325 very different individuals? Then I remembered this name song called “Oh, Here We Are Together” we sang and played in the ETM session at the conference. By the middle of September, I had all 325 names down. I was able to call my students by name in the hallway or when I was doing bus duty. The way that their faces lit up when I took the time to notice and connect with them was my Eureka! moment. I was eager to learn as much as I could about this approach because I knew in my soul that it was going to have a profound effect on the way that I work with children.

I knew that I needed to learn more so I signed myself up for the winter course. The more ETM I brought back to my students, the more they asked for it. There was something about it that kept them (and me) very intrigued. I worked with several English Language Learners that were often quiet in music class, but when we played “Oats, Peas, Beans” or “Rig a Jig Jig” they were all in. By the end of the year, they were not only singing but confidently engaging in conversation with me.

Through my study, I have learned about neuroscience, attachment, child development, and motivation. I have also learned about how ETM can be a vehicle to building early literacy skills in children. Even though I have been studying this “working of a work” for nine years, I still have a great deal more to learn.

Singing in the Stacks

In 2015, I decided to leave the classroom to work as a children’s library associate at a public library. I am given Storytime programming and I am racking my brain as to how I am going to approach my programs. I find Storytime Underground, Jbrary, and Storytime Katie. I am grateful to them because I have no idea how to plan a Storytime. I can lesson plan, but planning a Storytime? Totes different.

As I became more comfortable and confident in my new role, I began exploring how I can use ETM in my programming. I also learn about ALSC's Every Child Ready to Read and have another Eureka! moment. ETM and ECRR2 go together like peanut butter and jelly.

How? Tune in next week to find out!

P.S. While you wait for next week's post - watch this awesome video made by my friend George!

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January Book & Cookie Club: Phoebe and Her Unicorn

1/28/2019

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I think there needs to be a new weather rule - no inclement weather on the days that children's librarians have programs! The joys of programming during the winter months, amirite? All kidding aside, I would rather my program participants play it safe - especially when it comes to snow and slippery roads!

We had a small Crew today, but there was still fun to be had and cookies to be consumed (Keebler Chips Deluxe #YUM).

The Book
Phoebe and Her Unicorn: A Heavenly Nostrils Chronicle by Dana Simpson

Icebreaker: What's Your Unicorn Name?

I *might* have actually paid shipping on Amazon so that I could have unicorn nametags for tonight. I designed a "What's Your Unicorn Name?" chart on PicMonkey with a unicorn illustration that I found on Pixabay.

Discussion Game: UNICORN!

Since we had a late start (thanks to the snowprise), we did not get to do the discussion game. I planned to break everyone into 4 groups. Each group would recieve a question card. They would answer the question and bring the card to me. If the answer was correct, I would give them a part of a unicorn and their next question. I found a neat unicorn puppet printable from Arty Crafty Kids (you have to sign up to get the free unicorn puppet).

Candy Dragon Candy Bowl

My favorite character in the Heavenly Nostrils series is Todd, the candy dragon. I brainstormed several ways to make Todd - at one point I considered a Todd piñata. I eventually figured out this version of Todd and feel pretty pleased with how he turned out.

I purchased mini paper ice cream bowls from Amazon and found a dragon body printable from BakerRoss.

Unicorn Ring Toss

This game is as much fun as it sounds. There was a great deal of giggling, ducking, and fun. The rings are made out of foam, so there isn't any worry of injury from the rings. It's the horn you have to worry about. As they say "it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye!" No unicorns or humans were injured or harmed during the process of playing this game tonight.

Dakota's New 'Do

Marigold zapped off Dakota's hair which means The Crew has an opportunity to design a new look for Dakota! I tried my best to free-hand Dakota and copied her likeness onto cardstock. The Crew members gave Dakota a Pom Pom hair-do, a Rapunzel inspired hair-do, and a polka dot hair-do.

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Groovy Tots III

1/18/2019

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Graphics created with PicMonkey. Clipart from Krista Wallden of Creative Clips.

Time flies when you are having fun! I cannot believe this was the third and final week of Groovy Tots.

I really enjoyed planning and facilitating this program and I look forward to doing it again in the summer! We will be bumping up the age for Groovy Tots in the summer from 12 -24 months to 2 - 3 years old because most of our participants this time around were 2 and 3 years old.

Here are my previous Groovy Tots posts:
Groovy Tots I
Groovy Tots II

The Plan

Welcome Song - Come Along and Walk With Me

From Education Through Music by the Richards Institute of Education & Research
To the tune of “Oats, Peas, Beans & Barley Grow”

Come along and walk with me
Come along and walk with me
We’ll walk and walk and walk and walk
So come along and walk with me

Come along and stomp with me
Come along and stomp with me
We’ll stomp and stomp and stomp and stomp
So come along and stomp with me

Come along and hop with me
Come along and hop with me
We’ll hop and hop and hop and hop
So come along and hop with me

Come along and bend with me
Come along and bend with me
We’ll bend and bend and bend and bend
So come along and bend with me

Come along and glide with me
Come along and glide with me
We’ll glide and glide and glide and glide
So come along and glide with me

Come along and twist with me
Come along and twist with me
We’ll twist and twist and twist and twist
So come along and twist with me

Come along and wave with me
Come along and wave with me
We’ll wave and wave and wave and wave
So come along and wave with me

Rhythm Sticks

Tap Your Sticks

To the tune of "Are You Sleeping?"

Tap your sticks.
Tap your sticks.
One, two, three.
One, two, three.
Can you tap your sticks,
Can your tap your sticks,
Just like me,
Just like me?

Tap your sticks,
Tap your sticks,
Way up high,
Way up high.
No-w, bend down,
No-w, bend down,
Tap the ground.
Tap the ground

Billy Goats Trip Trap

Trip, trap, trip, trap - across the bridge they come
Trip, trap, trip, trap - crossing one by one

Trip, trap, trip, trap - baby takes a stroll
Trip, trap, trip, trap - over the sleeping troll

Trip, trap, trip, trap - louder taps I hear
Trip, trap, trip, trap - middle goat is near

Trip, trap, trip, trap - stomps the biggest goat
Trip, trap, trip, trap - troll goes in the moat!

If You Have Some Rhythm Sticks

To the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb"

If you have some rhythm sticks,
rhythm sticks, rhythm sticks
If you have some rhythm sticks, you can tap them now

If you have some rhythm sticks,
rhythm sticks, rhythm sticks
If you have some rhythm sticks, you can rub them now

If you have some rhythm sticks,
rhythm sticks, rhythm sticks
If you have some rhythm sticks, you can hammer them now

If you have some rhythm sticks,
rhythm sticks, rhythm sticks
If you have some rhythm sticks, you can drum them now

A Jumping We Will Go

From Education Through Music by The Richards Institute of Education and Research
To the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell"

A jumping we will go,
A jumping we will go
Hi-ho the derry-o!
A jumping we will go

A stomping we will go,
A stomping we will go
Hi-ho the derry-o!
A stomping we will go

A flapping we will go,
A flapping we will go
Hi-ho the derry-o
A flapping we will go

A scooting we will go,
A scooting we will go
Hi-ho the derry-o
A scooting we will go

A clapping we will go,
A clapping we will go
Hi-ho the derry-o
A clapping we will go

If You're Happy and You Know It

Performed by Jon & Carrie Lewis from Mr. Jon & Friends album

Scarves

Dancing Scarf Blues

performed by Carole Peterson from Dancing Feet album

Let's Go Fly a Kite

Georgiana Stewart from Musical Scarves & Activities album

Looby Loo

From Education Through Music by The Richards Institute of Education and Research

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night

I put my hand in
I take my hand out
I give my hand a shake, shake, shake
And then I turn around

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night

I put my head in
I take my head out
I give my head a shake, shake, shake
And then I turn around

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night

I put my ear in
I take my ear out
I give my ear a shake, shake, shake
And then I turn around

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night

I put my whole self in
I take my whole self out
I give my whole self a shake, shake, shake
And then I turn around.

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night

I put my belly in
I take my belly out
I give my belly a shake, shake, shake
And then I turn around

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night

Dance Party!

I thought that it would be great fun to have a dance party. I also wanted an excuse to bust out the best Amazon purchase ever - my strobe light. I purchased it for the Artsy Babies program back in May and it has come in handy on multiple occasions. It is the best $12 purchase that I have ever made.

The kiddos and caregivers had an absolute blast dancing to "Happy" with the strobe light. There was one little three year old that stole my heart with his amazingly adorable attempt at break dancing. It was awesome and he definitely made my week.

Happy

performed by Pharell from Despicable Me 2 soundtrack

Goodbye Song - Time to Say Goodbye

Time To Say Goodbye
from Carole Peterson's Tiny Tunes album, Adapted by Nicole Lawton
To the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb"

Now it's time to touch your toes
touch your toes, touch your toes
Now it's time to touch your toes
Touch them now

Now it's time to touch your nose
touch your nose, touch your nose
Now it's time to touch your nose
Touch it now

Now it's time to touch your head
touch your head, touch your head
Now it's time to touch your head
Touch it now

Now it's time to wave goodbye
Wave goodbye, Wave goodbye
Now it's time to wave goodbye
See you all next time

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Groovy Tots II

1/11/2019

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Graphic created on PicMonkey. Clipart from Krista Wallden of Creative Clips.

Groovy Tots is a new music and movement program we launched this winter at my library. It was a program that I have been wanting to try for a while. It is geared toward children aged 1- 2 years old and their adult caregivers.

This is our second week of the program and it has been well-received so far. My absolute favorite part of the program today was when we used the Stretchy Band. The kiddos' reactions varied from "what do I do with this weird thing?" to "OMG! It's a STRETCHY BAND!"

Here is my post for last week's groovy tots: Groovy Tots I

The Plan

Welcome Song - Come Along & Walk with Me

Scarves

Little Bo Peep

Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep
(hide scarf behind your back)
And doesn't know where to find them
Leave them alone and they'll come home
(bring scarf back out)
wagging their tails behind them
(shake scarf)

We Wiggle and Wiggle and Stop

To the tune of "A Hunting We Will Go"

We wiggle and wiggle and stop
We wiggle and wiggle and stop
We wiggle and wiggle
And wiggle and wiggle
And wiggle and wiggle and stop

We wave and wave and stop
We wave and wave and stop
We wave and wave
And wave and wave
And wave and wave and stop

We twirl and twirl and stop
We twirl and twirl and stop
We twirl and twirl
And twirl and twirl
And twirl and twirl and stop

We toss and toss and stop
We toss and toss and stop
We toss and toss
And toss and toss
And toss and toss and stop

We roll and roll and stop
We roll and roll and stop
We roll and roll
And roll and roll
And roll and roll and stop

Stretchy Band

Stretch Back

From Outrageous Orange Performed by Eric Litwin & The Learning Groove

Waking up in the morning
Sun’s up in the sky.
Waking up in the morning
Time to rise and shine.
Everybody stretch back.
Everybody stretch way back.
Everybody stretch back.
It is fun to greet the sun!
Waking up in the morning
There’s a full day ahead.
Waking up in the morning
Time to get out of bed.

Wheels on the Bus

Row,The wheels on the bus go round and round (make a rowing motion with the stretchy band)
Round and round, round and round
The wheels on the bus round and round
All through the town

The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish (move stretchy band right to left)
Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish
The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish
All through the town

The people on the bus go up and down (move stretchy band up and down)
Up and down, up and down
The people on the bus go up and down
All through the town

The wheels on the bus go round and round (make a rowing motion with the stretchy band)
Round and round, round and round
The wheels on the bus round and round
All through the town

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Row, row, row your boat (make rowing motion with stretchy band)
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream

Looby Loo

From Let’s Do It Again! by Mary Helen Richards of Education Through Music & the Richards Institute of Education & Research

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night

I put my hand in
I take my hand out
I give my hand a shake, shake, shake
And then I turn around

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night

I put my nose in
I take my nose out
I give my nose a shake, shake, shake
And then I turn around

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night

I put my hair in
I take my hair out
I give my hair a shake, shake, shake
And then I turn around

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night

I put my bottom in
I take my bottom out
I give my bottom a shake, shake, shake
And then I turn around

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night

I put my elbow in
I take my elbow out
I give my elbow a shake, shake, shake
And then I turn around

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night

Egg Shakers

Shake!

We rocked out to the first half of the song Shake! from We Kids Rock's Everybody Clap Your Hands album

If You're Happy and You Know It- Give a Shake!

If you're happy and you know it, give a shake
If you're happy and you know it, give a shake
If you're happy and you know it and you really want to show it
If you're happy and you know it, give a shake

Goodbye Song - Now It's Time To...

from Carole Peterson's Tiny Tunes album, Adapted by Nicole Lawton
To the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb"

Now it's time to touch your toes
touch your toes, touch your toes
Now it's time to touch your toes
Touch them now

Now it's time to touch your nose
touch your nose, touch your nose
Now it's time to touch your nose
Touch it now

Now it's time to touch your head
touch your head, touch your head
Now it's time to touch your head
Touch it now

Now it's time to wave goodbye
Wave goodbye, Wave goodbye
Now it's time to wave goodbye
See you all next time

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Family Storytime: Colors

1/9/2019

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Graphic created with PicMonkey. Clipart from Krista Wallden of Creative Clips.

When it is gray and dreary outside, there is nothing better than a storytime about colors!

There are so many wonderful books about colors so it was tough to choose. This was my first time reading a Pete the Cat book in storytime! I had an absolute blast singing “I love my white shoes” with our storytime crowd. "Dance, Freeze, Melt" by Eric Litwin and The Learning Groove was the favorite song of the day. Some of the kiddos did a fabulous job of melting so there were a lot of belly laughs during that song.

I came out of storytime feeling like a hundred bucks even though it is cold and sad outside and I have the #worstcoldever. There’s nothing like having fun with kids and their caregivers while sharing some great books and busting a move to cure the winter blues!

Pre-Storytime Activity:

Letter of the Week: Cc

Books

Recorded Music

Pre-storytime music:
These are the songs that we listened to before storytime began. If you are interested in checking out these songs, the album cover images are linked to Amazon so you can listen to a sample and/or purchase these great songs!

"I Can Sing a Rainbow"

"Los Colores"

These are the songs that we danced to during storytime. If you are interested in checking out these songs, the album cover images are linked to Amazon so you can listen to a sample and/or purchase these great songs!

"Clap Your Hands"

"Dance, Freeze, Melt"

"Little Red Wagon"

"Hokey Pokey"

Post-storytime music:
These are the songs that we listened to after storytime. If you are interested in checking out these songs, the album cover images are linked to Amazon so you can listen to a sample and/or purchase these great songs!

"The Colors"

"De Colores"

Action Rhymes

Rhyme of Colors

From 1,000 Fingerplays and Action Rhymes by Barbara A. Scott (p. 115)

The rainbow is celebrating (make arch over head for rainbow)
For it wears on it’s head (point to head)
a bow with all the colors
Violet, indigo,
Blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. (count out colors on fingers)
The rainbow is celebrating (make arch over head for rainbow)
The colors are on its head. (point to head)

Rainbow Colors

From 1,000 Fingerplays and Action Rhymes by Barbara A. Scott (p. 116)
Adapted by Nicole Lawton

If you know the colors of the rainbow, step right up (stomp your feet)
If you see the color red, nod your head. (nod head)
If you see the color black, hop right back (hop backward)
If you see the color yellow, act like Jell-O (wiggle)
If you see the color blue, stomp your shoe (stomp your feet)
If you see the color pink, give a wink. (wink)
If you see the color brown, sit right down (sit)

Color

From Sunflower Storytime

Blue is the Lake, (point to the floor)
Yellow is the sun (point to the sky)
Silver are the stars when the day is done. (wiggle fingers in the air)
Red is the apple, (make circle with hands)
Green is the tree (raise arms over head like branches)
Brown is the cookie for you and me! (rub tummy)

Fingerplay

Baby Bear's Walk

From Johnson County Library

Baby bear went out for a walk about, to see what colors he could count:
One bright yellow sun up high above.
Two green leaves on an oak tree hung.
Three blue tail feathers on a very loud jay.
Four shiny fins on a wet brown trout.
Five yummy red strawberries to gobble up.
Six black spots on an orange butterfly.
Seven bolts of lightning from a grey thunder cloud.
Baby bear is back safe at home,
where he saw one beautiful six colored rainbow.

Flannels

If Your Socks Have Any…
from NPL Flannel Collection
To the tune of "If You’re Happy & You Know It"

If your socks have any red any red,
If your socks have any red any red,
If your socks have any red,
Put your finger on your head.
If your socks have any red any red.

If your socks have any blue any blue,
If your socks have any blue any blue,
If your socks have any blue,
Put your finger on your shoe.
If your socks have any blue any blue.

If your socks have any green any green,
If your socks have any green any green,
If your socks have any green,
Flap your arms like they are wings.
If your socks have any green any green.

If your socks have any black any black,
If your socks have any black any black,
If your socks have any black,
Put your hand on your back.
If your socks have any black any black.

If your socks have any purple any purple,
If your socks have any purple any purple,
If your socks have any purple,
Make a sound like a slurple.
If your socks have any purple any purple.

Red Paint, Red Paint, What Do You See?
from NPL Flannel Collection

Red paint, red paint, what do you see?
I see orange paint looking at me.

Orange paint, orange paint, what do you see?
I see yellow paint looking at me.

Yellow paint, yellow paint, what do you see?
I see green paint looking at me.

Green paint, green paint, what do you see?
I see blue paint looking at me.

Blue paint, blue paint, what do you see?
I see purple paint looking at me.

Purple paint, purple paint, what do you see?
I see pink paint looking at me.

Pink paint, pink paint, what do you see?
I see a rainbow looking at me.

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Groovy Tots I

1/4/2019

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Graphic created using Picmonkey. Clipart from Krista Wallden of Creative Clips.

Happy New Year! I hope that your new year is off to a great start and I wish each and every one of my readers a year full of joy, belly laughs, and great books!

We kicked off 2019 with a new program that I proposed well over six months ago - Groovy Tots. Many of our patrons have been looking for music programs for the younger crowd so I wanted to make a program for them to sing, dance, and play musical instruments.

I am always excited when we launch a new program because there is so much to look forward to!

The Plan

Hello Song - Come Along and Walk with Me

Parachute

Grand Old Duke of York

The Grand Old Duke of York
He had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill
(lift parachute up in the air)
And he marched them down again!
(bring parachute down to the floor)
And when they're up, they're up.
(lift parachute up in the air)
And when they're down, they're down.
(bring parachute down)
And when they're only half-way up,
(hold parachute waist high)
They're neither up nor down!
(lift parachute up in the air & bring parachute down)

Oh he marched them to the left.
And he marched them to the right.
Then he marched them round and round
And marched them out of sight

Itsy Bitsy Spider

The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout. (bring parachute up)
Down came the rain & washed the spider out. (bring parachute down)
Out came the sun & dried up all the rain,
And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again. (bring parachute up)

Then, the itsy bitsy spider grew up into a big, fuzzy spider!

The big fuzzy spider went up the water spout. (bring parachute up - lift over head)
Down came the rain & washed the spider out. (bring parachute down)
Out came the sun & dried up all the rain,
And the big fuzzy spider went up the spout again. (bring parachute up - lift over head)

Then, the big, fuzzy spider had a baby eentsy weentsy spider!

The eentsy weentsy spider went up the water spout. (bring parachute up)
Down came the rain & washed the spider out. (bring parachute down)
Out came the sun & dried up all the rain,
And the eentsy weentsy spider went up the spout again. (bring parachute up)

London Bridge is Falling Down

London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down,
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady.

Everybody is Jumping

Come on now everyone is jumping
Come on we’re jumping
We’re all jumping
‘Cause the music makes you move
We’re jumping to the groove

Now everybody’s stomping
We are stomping, we are stomping
‘Cause the music makes you move
We’re stomping to the groove
C’mon everybody, stomp those feet

Everybody’s clapping
We’re all clapping
Clap your hands
We’re all clapping
‘Cause the music makes you move
Yeah we’re clapping to the groove

Everybody’s dancing
We’re all dancing
Yes, we’re all dancing
‘Cause the music makes you move
We’re dancing to the groove

Everybody’s flying
We’re all flying,
We’re all flying yeah
‘Cause the music makes you move
We’re flying to the groove

Everybody’s crawling,
We’re all crawling,
Everybody's crawling
‘Cause the music makes you move
We’re crawling to the groove

Everybody’s tip-toeing
C’mon we’re tip-toeing
Yeah we’re tip-toeing
Music makes you move
And we tiptoe to the groove

Everybody’s jumping
We’re all jumping
We’re all jumping
Yeah, we’re jumping
Everybody’s jumping
We’re all jumping
We’re all jumping
‘Cause music makes you move
We’re jumping to the groove

Bells

Are You Sleeping?

Are you sleeping?
Are you sleeping?
Brother John!
Brother John!
Morning bells are ringing,
Morning bells are ringing,
Ding-Ding-Dong!
Ding-Ding-Dong!

There's a Bell on My Head

From Verona Storytime
To the tune of "If You’re Happy & You Know It"

There’s a bell on my head, on my head,
There’s a bell on my head, on my head,
Oh, let it be said, there’s a bell on my head,
There’s a bell on my head, on my head.

There’s a bell on my arm, on my arm
There’s a bell on my arm, on my arm,
It’s not doing any harm but there’s a bell on my arm,
There’s a bell on my arm, on my arm.

There’s a bell on my leg, on my leg
There’s a bell on my leg, on my leg,
Oh, help me, I beg, there’s a bell on my leg,
There’s a bell on my leg, on my leg.

There’s a bell on my toe, on my toe,
There’s a bell on my toe, on my toe,
Oh, wouldn’t you know, there’s a bell on my toe,
There’s a bell on my toe, on my toe.

Looby Loo

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night

I put my hand in
I take my hand out
I give my hand a shake, shake, shake
And then I turn around

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night

I put my foot in
I take my foot out
I give my foot a shake, shake, shake
And then I turn around

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night

I put my tongue in
I take my tongue out
I give my tongue a shake, shake, shake
And then I turn around

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night

I put my belly button in
I take my belly button out
I give my belly button a shake, shake, shake
And then I turn around

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night

I put my whole self in
I take my whole self out
I give my whole self a shake, shake, shake
And then I turn around

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night

Sound Shapes

In my former life, I taught K-8 music. One year, I decided to use my tax return to purchase Sound Shape drums. I had used them in a workshop and loved them!

The Sound Shapes are on the expensive side but they are durable, fun, and easy to store! Since we have three locations, I purchased a carrying case from West Music to make it easy for the drums to be transported from one building to the other.

Dum Ditty

From Preschool Express

Dum-ditty, dum-ditty, dum, dum, dum.
Can you hear me on my drum.
Dum-ditty, dum-ditty, dum, dum, dum.
Beating my drum is so much fun!

Pat-a-Cake

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man.
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Roll it, and pat it, and mark it with a “B”
Put it in the oven for baby and me!

Funga Alafia

Funga Alafia, ashe, ashe
Funga Alafia, ashe, ashe
Funga Alafia, ashe, ashe
Funga Alafia, ashe, ashe

*This song comes from Nigeria. Funga alafia means “hello and welcome”

The Sticks on the Drum

From Preschool Express
To the tune "The Wheels on the Bus"

Oh, the sticks on the drum go up and down.
Up and down, up and down.
Oh, the sticks on the drum go up and down.
All through the town.

Oh, the sticks on the drum go rum, tum, tum.
Rum, tum, tum, rum, tum, tum.
Oh, the sticks on the drum go rum, tum, tum,
All through the town.

A Jumping We Will Go

From Education Through Music by the Richards Institute of Education & Research
To the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell"

A jumping we will go,
A jumping we will go
Hi-ho the derry-o!
A jumping we will go

A stomping we will go,
A stomping we will go
Hi-ho the derry-o!
A stomping we will go

A tip-toeing we will go,
A tip-toeing we will go
Hi-ho the derry-o!
A tip-toeing we will go

A flying we will go,
A flying we will go
Hi-ho the derry-o!
A flying we will go

A clapping we will go,
A clapping we will go
Hi-ho the derry-o!
A clapping we will go

Goodbye Song - Now It's Time

How It Went

We had a blast today! The Sound Shapes were a real hit with the kiddos and their caregivers. The parachute was a second favorite. There were giggles aplenty!

We provided caregivers with a handout of the songs that we were using and that was a big help! We also displayed books that are also songs and also displayed some of our favorite CDs for caregivers to checkout and take home.

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