Book & Boogie – Ducks in the pond

Posted on October 18, 2012 by The SEEDS Network

We are continuing this week with our “Book & Boogie” ONLINE VIDEO SERIES, where we feature stories with music and movement!

We are featuring a new “Book & Boogie” video each day this week to kick off the series. So far this week, we featured our Warm up & Cool down, and fun story / music combinations about dinosaurs and trains. Next up, we are going to meet a duck named Ruby, and learn a song and movements to “The Little White Duck“.

Ducks in the pond

This video features a book and song component that can be used when talking about farms, pond life or animals. “This Way Ruby” is an engaging story, which lends itself to pause at times, pointing out all the things Ruby sees on the pond adventure she has with her siblings. Get the children involved in the story by having them call out “This way, Ruby!”

We will feature one of the videos each day this week on our blog … but you can also have easy access to the ENTIRE collection at www.bookandboogie.com.

CREDITS

Book:“This Way Ruby” by Jonathan Emmett

Ruby’s brothers and sisters are always racing off in search of adventure. “This way, Ruby!” they call, but Ruby, who is still the littlest, likes to take things slowly. She prefers to look at all the grassy banks, the willow trees, and the dragonflies, which is just as well, for when the ducklings get lost in a storm, it’s up to Ruby to find the way back home!

Music: “The Little White Duck“, Miss Lisa, Over in the Meadow
Filmed and edited by: Dan Wills

Book & Boogie – Here come the trains!

Posted on October 17, 2012 by The SEEDS Network

We are having fun this week with our “Book & Boogie” ONLINE VIDEO SERIES, where we feature stories and music and movement components that work well together for teachers and caregivers to use with their preschool groups.

So far, we featured our Warm up & Cool down, and a fun story / music combination about Dinosaurs. Next up … chugga chugga choo choo, here come the TRAINS!

Trains

This video features a book and song component to go with a discussion about trains. You can make the story more fun and engaging by having the children repeat the train sounds that they hear as you read.

We will feature one of the videos each day this week on our blog … but you can also have easy access to the ENTIRE collection at www.bookandboogie.com.

CREDITS

Book: “A Train goes Clickety Clack” by Jonathan London

Music: “Chugga Chugga Choo Choo” – Choo Choo Soul, Choo Choo Soul

Sponsor: CPR Training Professionals, LLC
CPR Training Professionals, LLC was created to meet the training and education needs of healthcare professionals and families who need and want CPR training.
Filmed and edited by: Dan Wills

Do you want to be a featured “Book & Boogie” sponsor? Click here to learn how!

“Book & Boogie” a sneak peek!

Posted on October 16, 2012 by The SEEDS Network

In August we hinted about a new project we were working on. We are ready to give you a sneak peek before we unveil our entire new video series on October 15th! For the past two years, we have been offering a literacy-based music & movement program to preschools across Connecticut called “Book & Boogie“.

“Book & Boogie” is a children’s program where we incorporate books and literacy with music and movement activities geared towards children ages 3-6. We bring together story themes with a music and movement component to go with the stories, which gets children moving and actively learning. Research shows that movement is the young child’s preferred mode of learning – and that children learn best through active involvement.

Children and teachers have loved the opportunity to combine books with fun, age-appropriate dance movements. So, we wanted to find a way to share “Book & Boogie” with lots more teachers and parents – and through our video series we will be able to provide story ideas, music choices and simple dance choreography for you to share with your own classroom or playgroup.

Our first set of videos will be launched on October 15th … but we really just couldn’t wait to start sharing, so our first video is available to view below or via our YOUTUBE channel (www.youtube.com/theseedsnetwork). This first video features a story and music selection about FARMS … get ready for a more modern musical take on “Old MacDonald”!

Take a peek … let us know what you think! And be sure to stop back on October 15th!!

CREDITS

Book:“It’s a Perfect Day” by Abigail Pizer

Filled with repetition, children become familiar with the pattern of this book quickly. Have the children participate by making animal sounds as you read. Point to the pictorial cues in the book and children will be able to “read” with you.

Music: “Old MacDonald” – The GiggleBellies Musical Adventures Children’s Music

Activity Idea: “Down on the Farm in preschool” – PreK+K sharing blog

Filmed & edited by: “Dan Wills

Sponsor: Dance Express of Tolland
Dance Express has been teaching children to dance for 25 years. Our philosophy from the beginning has been to teach children the wonderful artistry of dance. We have succeeded in accomplishing this while developing the students’ sense of self-esteem, discipline and hopefully a lifelong interest in the performing arts.

Do you want to be a featured “Book & Boogie” sponsor? Click here to learn how!

“Book & Boogie” – Dinosaurs!

Posted on October 16, 2012 by The SEEDS Network

Our “Book & Boogie” ONLINE VIDEO SERIES features stories and music components that work well together – and some movement choreography to go with them, so you can very easily do some “Book & Boogie” on your own.

Dinosaurs

Yesterday, we showed you how we do Warm up & Cool down movements with the kids. This next video features a book and song component related to dinosaurs. The story we chose describes all kinds of dinosaurs in terms of opposites (big/small, short/tall, fast/slow) and rhyming text. Get your kids marching, stomping and roaring like dinosaurs!

We will feature one of the videos each day this week on our blog … but you can also have easy access to the ENTIRE collection at www.bookandboogie.com.

CREDITS

Book: “Dinosaur Roar!” by Paul Stickland, Henrietta Stickland

Music: “We are the Dinosaurs“, The Laurie Berkner Band, The Best of the Laurie Berkner Band

Sponsor: CPR Training Professionals, LLC
CPR Training Professionals, LLC was created to meet the training and education needs of healthcare professionals and families who need and want CPR training.
Filmed and edited by: Dan Wills

Do you want to be a featured “Book & Boogie” sponsor? Click here to learn how!

Introducing “Book & Boogie”!

Posted on October 15, 2012 by The SEEDS Network

Our “”Book & Boogie” ONLINE VIDEO SERIES features stories and music components that work well together – and some movement choreography to go with them, so you can very easily do some “Book & Boogie” on your own.

Dinosaurs

We will feature one of the videos each day this week on our blog … but you can also have easy access to the ENTIRE collection at www.bookandboogie.com.

CREDITS

Book: “Dinosaur Roar!” by Paul Stickland, Henrietta Stickland

Do you want to be a featured “Book & Boogie” sponsor? Click here to learn how!

Adding technology to preschool play

Posted on October 12, 2012 by The SEEDS Network

Many of us are fascinated with technology. (Just think of the long lines to get the latest iPhone.) Technology is an everyday part of our lives … and the lives of the children who we parent and teach.

Children learn by mimicking what they see around them … I’m sure many of us have seen the toddler who picks up a block and starts talking into it like a cell phone, or the preschooler who pretends to “scan” the food as she plays grocery store.

Adding some technology tools into children’s pretend play is relevant – they live in a multimedia world. But, early educators who do not have the funds to bring in the latest in high-tech gadgets can still incorporate some technology elements in very low cost ways. (Think tag sales, craig’s list … a teacher’s paradise!)

Consider adding some of these into your dramatic play area, block center or writing areas:

Adding machines or calculators
Old typewriters or keypads
Old rotary push button or cell phones*
Voice recorder machines
Microphones or karaoke machines
Walkie-talkies
Watches or timers
CD/tape players, books on tape
Old cameras or video cameras
Old computer keyboard or mouse

* Be sure to remove cell phone batteries, otherwise cell phones can still dial 911, even if there is no service plan!

Here are other ideas from some of our blogger friends to add technology into pretend play:

Repurpose old or outdated laptop/computer for children’s use – Children can use simple programs like MS Word or MS Paint – just let them type and practice using the mouse! (see post on PreK+K sharing blog)

Build a pretend computer for play – Use a box and old keyboard to make a pretend computer for dramatic play.

Make pretend iPhones for literacy play – Make “pretend” technology gadgets that children can use for pretend play, letter recognition and pre-writing skills. Children can imitate technology use that they see every day.

You can also see other ways to incorporate technology into your lessons and experiences – by adding them into your teacher “toolbox”!

What are some other ways to incorporate low-cost technology elements into children’s play?

Technology as another tool in the teacher’s toolbox!

Posted on October 12, 2012 by The SEEDS Network

To incorporate the many ways children learn, teachers have a “toolbox” … materials, strategies and knowledge that they rely on to instruct and care for young children. No ONE method, manipulative, experience or strategy will work for every child or situation. Those of us in early childhood need to be FLEXIBLE (you never know which way the day will go!) … and we should always be seeking ways to add more tools to our vibrant and colorful toolbox!

“The use of technology is a single experience among many ways to contribute to the understanding of a particular concept.” — Brian Puerling,

Technology is just another tool in a teacher’s toolbox …

In preschool, how can we use technology as another tool or resource to use in our teaching? Here are some thoughts!

Another tool to learn about Science:

Watch a video of something like apple cider being made before actually making it.

Another tool to learn about Language and Literacy:

Use videos to learn/hear other languages.
Video conference with family members of children in class who speak other languages.
Use digital cameras to photograph field trips or special events – use photos to create a class book or PowerPoint slide with captions to extend learning about the trip or topic.
Take pictures of children reading books, holding books properly, turning pages by the corners, etc and display in reading area.
View other ideas of using digital cameras for literacy on Pre-K Pages blog

Another tool to learn about Music and Dance:

Using CD players or iPods to listen songs, dance, learn multicultural music.
Download songs from iTunes that go with a story or topic you are learning about. (Learn more about how we do that with our “Book & Boogie” program!)
Record a class song and make it available in the listening center for children to hear. Share it with families by burning a CD or emailing it.

Another tool to learn to Write / Draw:

Use SMART board pens to practice writing and drawing on a large scale before practicing on paper.
Share children’s writing/drawing using document camera or make a Powerpoint and display using a laptop and projector.

You also can see some suggestions for LOW COST ways to add technology into children’s play.

What are some other technological TOOLS in your teaching toolbox?

Creating colorful feeling telescopes

Posted on September 18, 2012 by The SEEDS Network

We spent a couple of days revisiting the story “My Many Colored Days” by Dr. Seuss – where each day is described as a particular color, with an animal that corresponds to that feeling. The first day, we made a colorful collage using frozen liquid watercolor. The second day, we viewed the world (or our classroom, at least) with rose colored glasses … aka, our colorful “feeling” telescopes!

We started by having the children decorate their telescope (aka toilet paper tube) with markers and stickers. After they were done decorating, we placed a piece of red colored Saran wrap over one end of the tube and secured it with a rubber band. When using the Saran wrap, I found I had to FOLD the Saran wrap 2-3 times so there is a color distinction when you look through the tube … to make the color deeper and more dramatic. We also could only find one color Saran wrap in the store this time of year … if you can find a few colors and give children a choice, that is definitely better. You can also use colored cellophane if you have it (instead of the Saran wrap).

When they were done, the children explored the classroom using their new telescopes … discussing some of the colors and feelings from the story as they looked around. They were quick to figure out that they could really notice the RED color through their telescope when looking at something that was all WHITE. So, this quickly also became a fun lesson in color changing!

For additional ideas that go along with “My Many Colored Days” and promote social-emotional development, check out the BOOK NOOK for this story from the Center on the Social Emotional Foundations for Early Learning

Greetings on the first day of school

Posted on September 4, 2012 by The SEEDS Network

First day of school can invoke tears and shouts of joy (from both children and parents alike)! I always loved it as a kid … the new pencils and notebooks and seeing friends. Now I enjoy it for my own children (because, the really NEEDED to go back to school). And I also enjoy it as a preschool teacher (getting organized, new lesson plans, planning new projects and activities).

At our school, the after-school staff put together a cute snack to greet the kids as they got off the bus – check out their Welcome back ROBOTS!

These can be assembled pretty easily using glue dots (I LOVE glue dots)! Viewing the picture as a guide, use glue dots to stick:

— the juice box on top of two small raisin boxes
— an upsidedown applesauce cup on top of juice box
— the pretzel rod arms (wrapped in plastic wrap) onto sides of juice box (may need to break rod in half first)
— the plastic spoon on back of juice box
— the googly eyes onto applesauce cup

Used as a back to school welcome … they printed out and glued this message to the front of the robot: “Greetings Friends! Welcome to school!”

This makes for a terrific grab and go snack for a large group – as it gives them everything they need for their snack in one package! This can be used as a snack idea for any time of the year or at a child’s party (they may not even miss the birthday cake!). 😉

Making the first day count

Posted on August 23, 2012 by The SEEDS Network

I have to admit, I love the first day of school! I can remember as a young child not being able to sleep the night before the first day of school due to the excitement and anticipation I felt. And now, as a Director of an early childhood center, I still become excited about the first day of school.

This week my staff has been busy, busy, busy getting their classrooms ready. They have been painting walls and shelves, setting up classroom centers, creating bulletin boards, setting up cubbies, and laminating endless pictures and labels. The classrooms are looking crisp, fresh and ready for new students to visit on Friday morning to meet their teachers and then start on Monday.

As a Director, I take the start of a new school year very seriously because I know how important it is for students to have a positive experience their very first day of school in their life. For many early childhood programs, your school door is first of many more classroom doors that will open for the rest of their life. Their first school experience will set the stage for years to come, so make it a positive one.

First impressions matter…so be sure to welcome your students and parents in a way that is warm and caring.

Prepare your classroom in the same way, taking time to ensure the students recognize their name and maybe even their photo somewhere in the room.

Try to take a few moments to chat with each child and their parents in order to begin building positive rapport.

And last, keep in mind the important role you play an educator; the influence you will have on your students this year will change each one of their lives forever, so get excited and make your first day count!