Today is Monday

Well, today is actually Friday the 13th...but this post is about a book called "Today is Monday." You can find the book here for purchase from Amazon. I am currently using this book as a method to teach my preschoolers the days of the week. Not only does it have awesome illustrations, but it also includes the sheet music in the back so you can sing the lyrics.



You might recognize Eric Carle for his illustration seen below:



The Very Hungry Catepillar is a childhood classic!

Andrew over at the MTI in the ATL helped me the other day when I needed a days of the week song that started on a Monday. Since the book starts on a Monday, to keep consistent, my other songs/materials should also start on a Monday. Thanks for your help, Andrew.

Michelle Obama Doing 'The Dougie' & 'The Running Man' Dances (Official V...

Get the Kids Moving

My boss just sent me a great link to Beyonce and Michelle Obama's anti-obesity campaign. I do a few Movement and Music groups, which focus on, what else...moving to the music. These particular clients live rather sedentary lifestyles, making them great candidates for this group. My entire sessions are planned to keep them moving and get their heart rates pumping. We have done dances to Elvis, The Black Eyed Peas and are currently working on a Michael Jackson dance to "The Way You Make Me Feel." My first steps in creating a dance are:

- Get the client's input - What songs do you want to dance to? I usually bring in three songs and then let them vote on which one they want.

- Watch the music video (if appropriate) - This way, they can see the moves the singer and back up dancers are doing and get an idea of dance moves they might want to do.

- Let each client decide on at least one dance move - It's their dance, right? Let them decide what moves they want to do! :)

- Write the moves down, or video - I can't tell you how much this helps from week to week to remember the dance steps...I'm one to forget!

- Rehearse - It will take them some time to get the sequencing and moves down, as well as to get the dance moves in sync with each other.

- Record - Once the dance is mastered, use your handy dandy flip camera and record their performance.

- Share - Make DVDs of their dance so they have a final product to show their families, peers, and support staff. Even better, perform it for an audience.

Beyonce has adapted her song "Get Me Bodied," and made a video and song called "Move Your Body."

Click here for the link to the article and videos.


There is also an instructional video to help teach your students/clients the dance moves. I can't wait to share this with my clients--they will be excited to learn from Beyonce and they really enjoy watching videos as well.

St. Patrick's Day

I found this song (set to the tune of "This is the Way We Wash Our Hands") in my boss's huge "Holiday Songs" binder. However, it talked about things my preschoolers would not understand...like corned beef and cabbage, and 'top of the morning', etc. I adapted it and this is what I came up with.

Two goals we are working on:

Numbering/sequencing of events
Body parts/naming and finding

This song is not only fun, but addresses these goals.

Lyrics (chords are G and D7):

This is a song for St. Patrick's day, St. Patrick's day, St. Patrick's day.
This is a song for St. Patrick's day, St. Patrick's day is a comin'.

Put the shamrock on your belly, on your belly, on your belly.
Put the shamrock on your belly, St. Patrick's day is a comin'.

Put the shamrock on your finger, on your finger, on your finger.
Put the shamrock on your finger, St. Patrick's day is a comin'.

Put the shamrock on your elbow, on your elbow, on your elbow.
Put the shamrock on your elbow, St. Patrick's day is a comin'.

This is a song for St. Patrick's day, St. Patrick's day, St. Patrick's day.
This is a song for St. Patrick's day, St. Patrick's day is a comin'.



Each student/participant gets a turn to pick three different body parts out of the bag. This allows for suspense and gives them a 'choice'. They then get to turn around to the group and place the "MAGIC SHAMROCK" on the appropriate body parts. After the 1st body part, I'll say, "What's next?" It is the classes turn to tell us what is next!

Adaptations: Instead of having one person do it at a time, you could make shamrocks for every participant. I have a class of 5-6 so everyone gets a turn.

The shamrock is a stock image I found on the internet, cut out, laminated, and then I taped a shape drum mallet to the back (nope, didn't have a popsicle stick)! Resourceful if I do say so myself!