Music Monday-Catch The Moon

I will conclude the Month-O-Elizabeth Mitchell with the darling album and board book: Catch The Moon (yes, that's right, a 2-for-1). This album is not only an Elizabeth Mitchell album but was a combination effort with the lovely Lisa Loeb.


 
Catch the Moon is a dreamy board book about two little girls, Ruby West and Ella Jane, playing with the moon: "...They send the star and moon back home And dream by star moon light." With night-time water color  illustrations by Elizabeth Mitchell's mother this is a great book to add to your bed-time collection. The following link from Elizabeth Mitchell's website allows you to read the book on the web http://www.youaremyflower.org/ctm/index.html

Several familiar songs such as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Big Rock Candy Mountain, and Little Red Caboose are included among the 13 sweet songs on this album. The complete list of delightful songs on this album are: Big Rock Candy Mountain, Little Red Caboose, Oh Susanna, Catch the Moon, La Manita, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Stop and Go, New Morning, Oh Groundhog, Butterfly, Donguri/Rolling Acorn, Free Little Bird, and Fais Do Do.




Finally, the following links are to videos with Lisa and Elizabeth singing songs from this album:
Catch the Moon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epRWUbgw9V4
Stop and Go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m37oqM9qkGk

Happy Loeb/Mitchelling!!!

Music Monday-You Are My Little Bird

My internet went out. Grrr. So my Music Monday is more of a Thursday thang this week! :)

Well into the month of September as well as the month-o-Elizabeth Mitchell and we come to her lovely album You Are My Little Bird. This album was my first exposure to Elizabeth Mitchell and her music...I have never turned back!




This album is so completely relaxing and pleasant that I listen to it on a regular basis. One of my favorite songs on the album is Three Little Birds. Many of you are probably familiar with this Bob Marley song: "...don't worry, about a thing, cause every little thing is gonna be all right..." and many of your little ones were introduced to it in the popular movie Shark Tale. The message of this sweet and simple song as expressed in the chorus is great for children to learn. I often sing this song while driving in the car with my little ones and while doing things in my classroom as a constant reminder that whatever is going on in life, everything is going to be fine.

Another of my favorites is If You Listen..."If you listen, you can hear, birds sing and flowers grow, if you listen you can hear, my love for you just grow..." The lyrics are few and sweet which make it an easy song to learn so you can sing it to your little ones before bed or while snuggling them on a rocking chair.

I simply cannot say enough about how restful and pleasant each and every song on this album is. If you have not been turned on to Elizabeth Mitchell up to this point, I highly recommend giving this album a chance. It is great to use in a classroom or at home. The complete list of songs on this album are: Little Liza Jane, Who's My Pretty Baby, Zousan, Little Bird, Little Bird, Three Little Birds, What Goes On, Pom Na Tu Ri, Buckeye Jim, Peace Like A River, Los Pollitos, Winter's Come And Gone, Little Wing, Lily Pond, The North Wind, If You Listen, Down In The Valley, and Grassy Grass Grass.



Happy Elizabeth Mitchelling!!!

Music Monday-You Are My Sunshine

For the Month-o-Elizabeth Mitchell Music the next c.d. filled with wonderful children's music is her darling album: You Are My Sunshine.

This album is loaded with fabulous music for your children AND YOU! There is a great rendition of the traditional alphabet song called Alphabet Dub that is still to the traditional tune (making it easy for children to sing along to) but the background instruments as well as some of the sound effects make it an enjoyable song for adults as well. Who knew the alphabet song could be SO COOL!?! (Elizabeth Mitchell.. that's who!)

Some of the well-known songs are splendid versions of You Are My Sunshine, Skip to My Lou, and Froggy Went A Courtin. Shortly before my grandfather passed away from Cancer the hospice nurses would visit with a guitar and sing, among other songs, You Are My Sunshine. Every time I hear that song I think of those precious memories of spending time with him in his bedroom as a child singing that song, not knowing how many more days we would have with him. So it is extra special to me that thanks to this lovely version of the song, my daughter now knows the lyrics to the song and enjoys it as much as I do, only for different reasons.

The full list of songs are as follows (again, ALL are fabulous!! I listen to this album even when by myself): So Glad I'm Here, Skip to My Lou, Ladybug Picnic, Hey Bo Diddley, Crawdad, Alphabet Dub, Car Car, Ooby Dooby, You Are My Sunshine, Goin Down the Road, Black Jack Baby, Jubilee, Here Comes My Baby, 3 is the Magic Number, Froggy Went a Courtin, and Goodnight Irene.



Happy Listening!!!

Music Monday-You Are My Flower

One of my dear friends and favorite people, Shelley, introduced me to Elizabeth Mitchell. Her music is so wonderful I am going to spotlight a c.d. each week this month. (September... yes I know it is still August but I'm thinking ahead!)


The first album I recommend is: You Are My Flower.


There are many delightful songs on this child friendly album. There is a great rendition of This Little Light of Mine, Shoo-Fly, and Jingle Bells (among others). My daughter's favorite song on the album is number 3: John the Rabbit.

My favorite song is number 7: Little Sack of Sugar. My family and I sing this song to our little guy daily while playing with him. The chorus is: "Jiggle, jiggle, jiggle, jiggle. Tickle, tickle, tickle, tickle. Little sack of sugar I could eat you up..." If you have a baby or toddler you MUST listen to and familiarize yourself with this perfect song to sing to your "little sack of sugar". *WARNING: It is the kind of song that EASILY gets stuck in your head; but at least it is a happy, fun song.

Art Activity-Music Drawings

Two things children love: free reign coloring and music.
Free reign coloring and music=music drawings.

Step One: select fun lively music - one of my favorites for this activity is a c.d. my sister gave me- Herb Alpert's Whipped Cream and Other Delights-one of the great things about this music is that it is likely different from music many children are typically exposed to and every child I have played this music for has had a good time listening to it...even a few students who usually keep to themselves can't help but move to the rhythms.





Step Two: play music and let children dance to music in any way they see fit (without hurting themselves or others.. this can be difficult in a classroom setting so lay out expectations of keeping enough distance between peers that they can stretch out their arms without touching anyone, they must sit out for a song if they can't do this...)

Step Three: stop music and provide each student with a large piece of paper and markers, crayons, or for a lot of fun...finger paints (I like to get messy)!!!

Step Four: explain to children that they can only use their coloring tools on the paper when the music is playing and that they are supposed to "color to the music". Do NOT even attempt to explain what that means. Let the children engage in self expression and discover their own interpretation of what it means.

Step Five: play music and watch the children have fun. After a minute or so on a song I switch to a different song to keep the children interested by hearing different songs.

Step Six: have the students show what they did and allow them to verbalize what they did, IF THEY WOULD LIKE. Self expression is personal. Some children won't want to share so don't make them. Giving them the freedom of choice will help these children enjoy self expression activities because they dont' have to worry about what other's will think of their creations.

*A variation of this is to pour washable finger paint in shallow pans outside on a sidewalk or other large paved area. Have the children take off socks and shoes, step in the paint them dance around to the music (best if children are wearing shorts or skirts). Giving students different colors and assigning groups of children to specific colors will make great TEMPORARY sidewalk art. After it has dried have the children look at the footprints and challenge them to select and follow a trail of footprints...which could also lead to a science activity about animal tracks and trails.

Great Beginner C.D.

I am a firm believer that children respond well to delightful, engaging music. A great c.d. to have in your collection is On the Good Ship Lollipop by The Persuasions. Songs like "On Top of Spaghetti" and "I'm So Glad (I've Got Skin)" are fun for children to sing and dance to when they need wiggle time or to listen to while playing games. I liked to start my mornings by playing track #3 "Good Morning to You" as a welcome song each day. It is a fun cheery song that sets a happy, welcome tone for the day.


The Persuasions: On The Good Ship Lollipop

I start the year by teaching that students need to be settled down and gathered in a circle by the end of the song each morning so we can have our morning meeting. The students became familiar with this song and enjoyed singing along. By using the same song every day for either the whole year or perhaps even a new gathering song each month, trimester, etc. children know the song well enough to know how much more wiggle time they had before they needed to be ready for the day in the circle. This also helped me have good starts to my day each day as I didn't have to start the day "nagging" students to settle down and join the circle.

*If you decide to purchase this c.d. please use the link above as it will take you directly to Jerry Lawson's website!*