Learning through Music and Movement

I love this picture.  Like, really LOVE this picture.  

Why?

Because I was able to capture a moment where our learning was not based upon a scripted lesson from a textbook but rather in an active and engaging whole brain method.

Something magical has happened as we've danced to  Blends are Letter Friends created by kindergarten teacher, Kathy Griffin.

At first, the class was just following the dance moves.  Dancing, listening and having fun.  Eventually, they learned the words to the song. That is when the "aha moments" began. Students transferred their new learning into the academic setting. They began to see blends in their reading, our shared writing, and in their names.  Suddenly, blends were everywhere.

Over the years, I have found that if I can incorporate learning through music and movement, my students are more apt to learn the concept at a faster rate and can retain the information for a longer period of time. I have also learned that it doesn't feel much like learning.  It feels like play and fun. And, we all know that our classrooms need that.

Here is a list of some of my favorite resources that use music and movement.

How do you think students learn best?  Do you have any other resources that I should try in my classroom?

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I Am A Pizza

I love creating lessons where I can teach yet let my kids be little.  So much of our day is filled with work that has to be done.  Therefore, when I am given the opportunity to create freely, I take advantage.  Last week, I created a series of lessons which went along with our reading series theme, food and menu writing.  I used I Am A Pizza as our focal point because who doesn't love pizza.  We were able to echo read from our song cards which helped with total engagement and participation.




Afterwards, I pretended to order a pizza but the students quickly noted that I got my order all wrong.  I forgot to tell the size and what kind of pizza I wanted.

Over the next two days, we made our menu together. (Please, ignore my misspelling of broccoli).  I created a sentence frame for them to use when ordering their pizzas.  I handed them phones so that they could place their orders.  They loved it! As I walked around the room, I could hear kids talking and see lots of happy children learning.

Finally, came the best part!

Using 24"x24" yellow and brown construction paper, I had prepped pizza wedges that I stapled at the top and cut a rounded neck.

Students recited their order and went to work making their pizza.

They had a blast making their pizzas and loved wearing them.  In fact, many wore them outside to play and as we marched out at the end of the day.  All in all, I think it was a successful lesson.

Happy Teaching!

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Singing in the Classroom

Miss Kindergarten is having a linky party about using song in the classroom.  We sing all the time in our classroom.  I have created a large collection of songs to teach sight words.  Years ago Four Blocks Literacy suggested this to help students learn and practice high frequency words.  It has transformed the way I teach spelling. Children love this time.

Here is one of the first songs my students learn. Hope you like it.

Happy Teaching and Learning!

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Got Music?

Singing has always been a part of my classroom. One of my fondest memories was during my second year of teaching, when one of my students learned to read through song.

Singing can lift the heart, unite people together, and teach.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Dr. Jean

(Who doesn't love her?  Even my husband and son know a few of her songs!  :) )

Favorites:

Kiss Your Brain

Shake a Hand

Who Let the Letters Out! 

Macarena's Bones

The Water Cycle

Five Senses

Parts of a Flower

Favorites from this CD:     

Deck the Halls

Pepperoni Pizza

Syllable Clap

Happy Birthday Letters        

Slide and Blend

Lifetime Words

Karate Writing

Good Bye Friends

Greg and Steve

(They have been a part of my teaching since the beginning)

Favorites:

Yellow Submarine
Sunshine Medley
This Land Is Your Land
Rockin the USA

Love These!:
The Body Rock
Tummy Tango
Animal Action I and II
Show Me What You Feel

Mark D. Pencil

Top Picks:

I Can Count to 100

Counting by 2s

Counting by 5s

Counting by 10s

Super E

Two Vowels Together

The Exercise Game #1, #2, and #3

Charlotte Diamond

Favorites:

Four Hugs a Day

I Wanna Be a Dog

I Am a Pizza

Looking for Dracula

Octopus

Each Of Us is a Flower

Many of Charlotte Diamond's, Raffi's and other artists' songs have song cards which can be purchased here.  These cards are great and also come with a little book that you can copy for your class.

Want to incorporate technology with music?  See Kelly's Kindergarten for Powerpoints to many Dr. Jean and Jack Hartmann songs or Harry's Kindergarten for awesome videos!

I know I forgot many other favorites such as Jose Luis Orozco, Raffi, and many country music artisits.  But, that means, there will be more on music soon!

What's on your must have CDs?  I'm always on the lookout for great CDs that I can use many, many, songs.  Leave your comments.  I LOVE them!

Happy Learning and Teaching!

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Vowel Pairs

This week we began a more in depth look at vowel pairs.  I must say that the kids are doing wonderfully. 

First, we reviewed our Vowel Pairs Powerpoint.  Go here to read more.  Then, we learned a new song.  Whenever possible, I try to introduce new concepts through song, movement or both.  This song was published several years ago through Mailbox. I typed up the words and drew some pictures to go along.

Today, we watched this classic Between the Lions video clip.  Fortunately, I was able to access this through PBS Kids.  Here it is for those of you who are not familiar with it.

Afterwards, my kiddos practiced being vowel pairs.  They were so cute!  They walked around as one "talked" and the other "walked." I wish I could share the pictures.  Instead, I have this photo.

We also discovered Two Vowels Together by Mark D. Pencil.  The class moved to this hip hop song as they worked independently sorting  /ee/ and /ea/ words. 



We will continue practicing this concept as we introduce a  few vowel pairs each week.  During guided reading, I will try to focus on this reading strategy with my struggling readers.  Well, that's what we are doing in our class to learn about vowel pairs. 

Happy Teaching and Learning!

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