The Spirit of America is carried on the Wings of Songs

You may think that this subject would be best featured around the 4^th of July.  But I am feeling the spirit of America at work RIGHT NOW, during these primary elections!  It is amazing to watch the power of the people making such a difference in the results simply by showing up to vote in record numbers, and surprising people as to who they are voting for. Our children deserve to feel the Spirit of America, too.  This strong sense of national pride and responsibility can be developed through learning the music that has helped shape our nation’s history. 

Here are some wonderful resources that can help you and your family emerse yourselves into the past, and understand what sacrifices have been made to help our country, and our people have the freedoms that we have.  And how important it is to be involved in helping continue to shape the future of our great country. 

Recommended Books and Recordings: 

• America, the Musical, Part 1 (1776 – 1899) “A Nation’s History Through Music” by Harold P. Gershenson,  illustrated by Michael Chesworth.            The CD features mini-musicals, little short characterized stories that share not only the music, but also the era and importance of each of the songs featured.  The book expands on that knowledge with interesting facts about the songs, and what was going on in history at that time.  TEACHERS will LOVE THIS!  Parents and children will truly enjoy the process of learning these songs, and sing them with understanding and conviction to the spirit of the people at that time!    This is actually a Do-Re-Me & You! Product that is no longer being produced.  It can only be purchased through www.shopkindermusik.com .  Fortunately, it is actually a featured product at this time (Feb. 2008), and the book and CD set can be purchased for just $11.95.  Get it while you can, and make sure to ASK them for the next volume! 
• Party Tyme Karaoke – Americana            Like to sing along with the music?  This Karaoke CD features 16 of some of the most loved, (and most fun to sing) songs from America’s history!            I got mine at Walmart – I’m sure it is not hard to find.  
• Patriotic Music Websites for children: The Library of Congress presents: patriotic melodies;  http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/html/patriotic/patriotic-home.html  National Institute of Envirnonmental Health Services (NIEHS) Kid’s Pages http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/musicpatriot.htm   
• I was also surprised to find:Creative Folk features a Women’s Suffrage Singalong!http://creativefolk.com/suffrage.html             

1. Oh, Dear What Can the Matter Be?  Women are wanting to vote!           
2.  Keep Woman in Her Sphere
3. My Country tis of Thee  (the adapted version for women’s rights)

Jack Hartmann – Loving to learn through music

 I am a big fan of Jack Hartmann!  He uses a variety of styles in his music, and has something for everyone.  Children find it very fun to watch this guy delve into hip-hop, rock, blues, etc., and end up having fun learning their multiplication tables, or test taking skills.  For the little ones, there are songs about taking turns and being friends. 

LOOK on his website for more information:  www.jackhartmann.com 

On the website, LISTEN & WATCH takes to you to some of his songs on little video clips.  Make sure to catch the BOP STOP!

WATCH the CHILDREN’S CONCERT section for one of his concerts to come nearby.  You have to register EARLY, as most of his shows are SOLD OUT about a month in advance.  Download his Registration Form, or call 1-888-219-2646 to purchase a ticket.  The group discount is 1 free ticket for every 20 that is purchased.  He is based out of Tampa, so most of his concerts are in Central Florida.

Check out his CD Recordings under PRODUCTS, and you will be AMAZED at the focus of each of the 22 CDs.  There are entire albums dedicated to MATH or READING, or PEACE.

MY favorite is It Starts in the Heart, which he completed in coordination with Becky Bailey!  This album is all about connections between yourself and other people!

 

So, I hope you get to connect with Jack Hartmann sometime soon, and enjoy a bit of musical learning - in such a FUN WAY!

Music storytelling from Africa and Pete Seeger

I was able to share some wonderful musical folk tales with some preschool students today.  We had a blast with about four stories.  I’d love to share them with you, and of course, I want to start with one that you can access right away, “Abiyoyo”.  Keep returning to this site, and I’ll share more fun musical folk tales with you.

 The story of Abiyoyo was handed down generation by generation through storytelling.  It is the story of a giant named Abiyoyo, and the young boy and his dad that save the village from this giant through music and magic. 

Pete Seeger discovered the story in Cape Province, South Africa, and was able to bring the story to the written page in his book: ABIYOYO, Pete Seeger’s Storysong, illustrated by Michael Hayes) 

Amazingly enough, I found both the story and the song located on it’s own website,   www.abiyoyo.com .  This is a wonderful introduction, but I promise you, the book is worth the $8 you’ll spend at Amazon.com, or other bookstores.

Learn to play guitar and sing with your children

Do you have a guitar, but don’t know how to play it.  Would you like to start by playing chords to songs that you and your children can sing along with?

The following video details some McIntosh software that it set up to make this happen for you.  This process makes it amazingly easy to learn to play simple guitar chords, and use them to sing specific children’s songs that you and your family will enjoy.  Check it out…

Click twice on the picture above, and it will take you to YouTube, where you can see more of the videos that would be on it.   OR  link over to the The Wheels on the Bus blog posting on my other blog, http://musiconnx.wordpress.com  to see the version of this song with his little puppet friend, Capo!

By the way, you don’t need to play the guitar to enjoy singing songs with your chidren, just SING and MOVE AROUND and HAVE FUN!   Try out a Kindermusik class, and you will see how easy it is to encorporate music into your everyday lives.

Kindermusik Programs with themes of travel & vehicles

Travel themed Kindermusik Programs

      

Check with your local educator on the availabilities of these classes.

       In Polk Co. Florida, see my website,  http://musiconnx.kindermusik.net 

                                         If not, look on www.kindermusik.com , to locate an educator near you.  

                                       

Village (up to 18 m) – Zoom-E-Oh !   An 8 week semester full of fun times for babies and their parents to explore ways to Go! -  Buggy rides, stroller rides, rockets, horses, etc. specifically designed for the younger set.  Home materials include Zoom-E-Oh book, CD, Baby’s Home Journal, posters to match the book, and a carrying bag. 

Our Time (1 ½ to 3 yrs.) – Away We Go !     (Spring 2008)A 15 week semester full of fun times for toddlers and their parents to explore ways to Go! -  Focus on trains, cars, planes, boats, any way you want to go – lots of fun songs and good music for travel, and home.  Home materials include 2 CDs, 2 children’s literature books, a Home Activity Book, a set of 2 harmonicas, and Shiny Dinah Train box. 

Imagine That ! (3 – 5 yrs.) – Toys I Make, Trips I Take !    (offered Spring 2008)The initial focus of this 15 week semester is the Toymakers shop, in which we help the toymaker build the toys, and we get to be the toys.  But as we explore the train and boat, we get to take imaginary trips, determining where we will go and how to get there by designing maps, etc.  Lots of fun.  Home materials include two CDs, two children’s literature books, a Home Activity Book, a Toymakers shop play set, and a nice drum! 

Summer Adventure Camp (3 – 5 yrs.) – On the Road !   An 5 day semester full of fun times for preschoolers to explore ways to Go! -  The book is called GO Van GO!, and it tells the story of a family, with a dog, who all want to go someplace different.  They pack their bags accordingly, and get to each one of their 4 stops (which we explore in detail during those 5 days).  We get to “go” to a cottage by a lake, to a fair, to the beach, and, of course, camping,  Includes book, CD, poster, and a cool wooden frog guiro instrument.  Plus there is a craft every day of class. 

Summer Adventure Camp (1 ½  - 3 yrs.) – Zoo Train !   During this 5 day semester we get to ride the train around the zoo to discover and “be” the animals we see.  The book features the train on every page, and we sing the train song every day,  Includes book, CD, poster, and an animal shaped shaker.  Plus there is a craft every day of class.  It’s Cora’s favorite CD !

Children’s media resources for vehicles and travel

Many Kindermusik semesters have themes that have a lot to do with things that GO!  See blog posting, Kindermusik Programs with themes of travel & vehicles for that list of semesters. 

I thought you might enjoy my list of favorite books, recordings, videos, and other resources that help this world of travel come alive for children.  You might keep checking back, as I plan to continue adding more.  PLEASE feel free to add your own recommendations in the comment section.  Thanks!

Online Resources

Riding around on my JCB      www.jcbsong.co.uk/jcbvideo.asp    This is a very cool little short website music video about Luke riding around with his dad on a JCB (a big constructions vehicle).  The pencil on paper animated drawings are adorable, and the song is soooo catchy.  One of my Kindermusik moms sent me this link in an emai over a year ago.  Our whole family fell in love with it, and both Grammy and my son have it in their favorites section and go back to watch it frequently.  My 12 year old son has it memorized.

These are Blog Postings on my blogs that include resources for things that Go!:

The Wheels on the Bus  You and your children will enjoy watching these two videos together.  You’ll probably end up watching them repeatedly.  Move the computer chair and get ready to dance.

Travel by boat – in a book or two  Comparing books with similar themes, like boating adventures, helps children develop analytical thinking.  Best boat books recommended.

There is a separate blog posting on TRAIN resources at: 

The following resources are wonderful ways to enjoy expanding a child’s interest in OTHER types of things that go, and some resources here include a variety of ways to travel.

Books  (many can be found at your local library)                                      

Sheep In A Jeep       Houghton Mifflin Co.   by Nancy Shaw: Ill. by Margot Apple.    Hilariously funny adventures of sheep, in a jeep, in all kinds of rhyming ways.  A FAVORITE!  There are more fun books with these funny sheep, including Sheep on a Ship.

How Many Trucks Can a Tow Truck Tow?   Random House   by Charlotte Pomerantz; Ill by R.W. Alley.    How many times must a person read this book without tripping over these wonderful tongue twisters in the guise of creative story about a bad day for tow truck drivers.

The Sailor Dog    Golden Book   by Margaret Wise Brown;  Ill. by Garth Williams  – This book is just as much as a classic as “Goodnight Moon”.  Scuppers was born at sea, but then raised on land, and has to find his way back, exploring all kind of vehicles.  Finally, he is able to set out on his boat and get into a routine, only to find life on the sea is not always calm.

The Wind in the Willows   Courage Books    by Kenneth Grahame; Retold by G.C. Barrett; Ill. by Don Daily.    This classic tale comes in many books, the whole story being a bit too wordy and vocabulary rich for the youngest listeners (but GREAT for older kids).  This version has beautiful illustrations and the story starts with the shy Mole learning to enjoy boating on the river with Rat.  And then takes us on the wild and crazy escapades of Toady and his passion of all things that go.

Glow in the Dark – Trip to the Planets.  by Lucille Hammond, Ill. by Laurie Jordan;  A Golden Glow in the Dark Book.   This is one of our family favorites.  Cora really relates to Katie, who blasts off in her rocket into outer space to visit the moon, Mars, and beyond.  But will her rocket ship make it back in one piece.  I love the sweet surprise ending.  I also love that it is a fiction book, with lots of non-fiction facts, making it easy to understand our solar system.   This book is no longer in print, but there are many copies on Amazon for amazingly cheap prices. 

 

Video Resources    rent these if possible or find at a library.    Buy Imaginaria if you can!

Winnie the Pooh – Cowboy Pooh      Disney’s Playtime Video Series.    Take a trip to the Old West in “The Good, the Bad, and the Tigger”, as Tigger hijacks Christopher Robbin’s electric train, and their imagination concocts a wonderfully western tale.  The following video ”Rabbit Marks the Spot” has the Pooh Pirates (complete with sailing ship) following maps and digging for buried treasure.”

Muppets:  Jim Henson Video Series  -

1. Muppet Treasure Island – Examine the life of the sailor and pirates aboard a ship.
2. Things that Fly – Muppet Sing Along Series:  Watch as the muppets try to find a flying vehicle that will take a baby alien back home
3. Muppets on Wheels -  Muppet Sing Along Series:  Explore different types of transportation on wheels through action and songs. 

Imagin-It and Imaginaria: Imagination Videos  Each video contains a collection of original songs with creative computer graphics that dazzle the eyes and ears.  This was an absolute favorite of ours – the graphics and the imagination, as well as the wonderful songs and music really helped us travel different ways through our imaginations!!!  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.  I have so far only been able to find Imaginaria at www.Amazon.com through the search engine.  It is no longer in print, and is only offered in VHS, but it is SOOO worth having it in your library – everyone – all ages – will like it. 

BUY these if you can.

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Television Shows

Little Einsteins                    Disney Channel

“We’re going on a trip with our favorite rocket ship, zooming through the skies…”  Two girls, and two boys, with very different talents go on missions to solve problems, using explorations through classic fine art, and through the use of classical pieces of music.  We don’t watch much TV, but this one is worth it.