Full Circle, Encouraging Words, Music, Dance and Literacy!I was so happy to be able to talk to Steena Hernandez for this episode! Steena was one of the very earliest supporters of PBJamz -- back when she and I were in the query trenches together. Obviously, much has changed since then :-D. So, there are no words for how thrilled I am to be part of the team sharing Steena's beautiful book with my little part of the world! Check out the conversation surrounding music, dance, encouraging words and more! LUPITA'S BROWN BALLET SLIPPERSThis beautiful book is a fictional account of a young girl named Lupita who longs for ballet slippers that match her beautiful brown skin to extend the lines of her dance. But, they are uncommon, difficult to find, and expensive. So, she gets creative, and she gets busy. There are so many positive messages in this story: acceptance, fairness, strong work ethic, tenacity, and more. But at it's heart, it's a beautiful story of a young girl who loves to dance. Absolutely beautiful! Don't miss it! A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)I chose this piece to highlight for a few reasons:
Teacher Tips, Tricks and TopicsDance --Ballet
Tips and Topics for Music TeachersDance connections -- Ballet (see teaching tips above for dance)
Writing Prompts from Tonnye
Writing Tips from Steena-I use the notes section on my phone to record ideas or phrases that come to mind if I'm out and about. I’ve written full first drafts on my phone and then I copy and paste them into a document when I’m ready. -If I’m researching a topic, which I am now for a new PB draft, I like to keep a separate document going for citing online or book information. I can add it to the back matter of the draft later, once it’s organized. -Find good, like-minded critique partners who write in the same age category to share your manuscripts. -Take breaks when you need them! Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!YouTube playlist full of songs about ballet, ballerinas, music for aspiring ballerinas and more! Pinterest board with lots of ballet-themed activities, money-saving sheets and activities, skin-color activities, and more. PBJamz SnackWhat better way to celebrate Latina ballerinas than with a yummy PBJ tortilla snack? Easily customizable, super-tasty and sure to sustain your little dancer until practice is over. Click the link and scroll down to number 4 to find the recipe for the PBJ ones . Guest Links and GiveawaysSteena's website (Links to purchase LUPITA'S BROWN BALLET SLIPPERS here too!)
Twitter/X Steena has offered up a signed copy of LUPITA'S BROWN BALLET SLIPPERS as a PBJamz giveaway for this episode. To be eligible, simply leave a comment below by Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 11:59 PM EST. I'll choose a lucky winner from the comments. ** Remember to support PBJamz authors through reviews, library requests, word of mouth, and any other way you can get the word out about their books.
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Nature and Music Sing Together as Buffy and I chatIf you're a nature-lover, a musician, a music-teacher, a reader, an author, a photographer you are going to want to listen in on this conversation with Buffy! It's a perfect blend of music, nature and writing -- 3 of my favorite things. STARLIGHT SYMPHONY by Buffy SilvermanThis lyrical nonfiction picture book is a beautiful blend of nature, music and writing. Buffy walks us through a day in nature near a body of water. She points out many of the beautiful sounds of nature and then compares each to a musical instrument in the text. She also offers excellent back matter that explores those analogies in more detail. A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)This may not be our typical PBJam, but I think it would be fun to play some nature sounds for kids and let them explore mimicking animal sounds on a variety of classroom instruments. This is one example of a video that shares pond animal sounds. You can check out additional music/nature connections in the YouTube playlist in the links section. Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics
Tips and Topics for Music Teachers |
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PBJamz Snack
Well, they're not beignets, but these super simple peanut butter and jelly donuts would be a fun take that are an easy breakfast or snack for your favorite PBJ lovers. You can check out the recipe at Typical Mom and make your own tasty PBJ donuts. And, if you were to fix a cup of chicory coffee, you might convince yourself that you're at Cafe DuMonde. Put on some Dixieland jazz and let your tastebuds and your imagination do the rest!
Guest Links and Giveaways
Karen's Website
TPT
Instagram
FB
Karen has offered a WINNER'S CHOICE prize! The winner may choose from:
1. A copy of Calliope Kate
2. A virtual school visit
3. A picture book critique
To be eligible for the drawing, simply leave a comment below before Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST, and if you are the winner, we will contact you!
TPT
FB
Karen has offered a WINNER'S CHOICE prize! The winner may choose from:
1. A copy of Calliope Kate
2. A virtual school visit
3. A picture book critique
To be eligible for the drawing, simply leave a comment below before Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST, and if you are the winner, we will contact you!
Delia and I chat music, dance, and more!
Join Delia and me as we chat Latin dances, concept board books, the path to publication, and how to turn your contest entries into board books! Her set of three board books share Latin dance with the littlest learners, alongside some perfect content for kids: questions/manners, counting, and musical instruments. And, did I mention they are all bilingual?!? If you and/or your children are Spanish-speaking (or learning Spanish), these books would be fabulous for you! The text is in English AND Spanish all the way through and they are beautifully illustrated! Delia is offering a picture book manuscript critique as a giveaway! To be eligible, leave a comment on the blog episode by Wednesday Sept. 4, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST.
Latin Dance board books for the earliest learners!
Check out this super-fun series of Latin dance board books for your youngest learners (and all the others, too! "Picture books/board books are for everyone!"). Each book shares some fun Latin dance moves AND another concept:
1,2,3 CUMBIA focuses on Cumbia moves and bodily consent and manners in both Spanish and English!
1,2,3 SALSA shares some salsa dance moves and counting in English and Spanish!
1,2,3 MERENGUE teaches a bit about merengue moves, as well as lots of info about the instruments you might hear in merengue.
Each book follows a similar format and shares information in English and Spanish. Great bilingual resources for kids learning English or Spanish, while also sharing other fun and age appropriate content about Latin dance and other concepts for young children.
While these are perfect for littles (families, preschools, daycare centers, they would also transfer very nicely into ESL classrooms in primary/elementary schools, and for dance or music classes in the early grades as well.
1,2,3 CUMBIA focuses on Cumbia moves and bodily consent and manners in both Spanish and English!
1,2,3 SALSA shares some salsa dance moves and counting in English and Spanish!
1,2,3 MERENGUE teaches a bit about merengue moves, as well as lots of info about the instruments you might hear in merengue.
Each book follows a similar format and shares information in English and Spanish. Great bilingual resources for kids learning English or Spanish, while also sharing other fun and age appropriate content about Latin dance and other concepts for young children.
While these are perfect for littles (families, preschools, daycare centers, they would also transfer very nicely into ESL classrooms in primary/elementary schools, and for dance or music classes in the early grades as well.
A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)
Since I'm featuring all three books, I like this musical piece to showcase Latin music in general. It's a bit long (about 6 minutes), but engaging for kids. It would be fun to let littles just dance to the music. Of course, you could also point out the instruments as you go or you could give them accompaniment instruments like guiros or maracas and let them play along. Lots of ways to use this piece, but if you don't like this one, I have lots of others featuring the various dance styles, the instruments, kid-friendly Latin(ish) dances, counting in Spanish songs and videos and more! Check those out on the YouTube playlist.
Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics
Mult-disciplinary topics for teaching/sharing these books (There are lots of specific ideas on the Pinterest board and YouTube playlist in the links section below. Be sure to check them out!)
- ELA
- 1,2,3 CUMBIA -- rhyme and repetition
- (all) Spanish vocabulary
- 1,2,3 CUMBIA -- questions/statements/exclamations
- 1,2,3 MERENGUE -- commands/imperative
- 1,2,3 MERENGUE -- onomatopoeia (Special note: Very interesting to note that onomatopoeia are not the same from language to language. Look at the differences in the Spanish vs. English onomatopoeia. Discuss that with your group.)
- Math
- 1,2,3 SALSA Counting in English and Spanish (Check out the YouTube playlist below for some fun videos to use)
- (all) Number patterns (In music and dance, we count in sets of 4 or 8, so simple number patterns make perfect sense.)
- Social Studies
- Hispanic Heritage Month
- Latin Dance
- Geography (Mexico and South America)/maps
- Spanish (language)
- Side-by-side English/Spanish for learning and comparing.
- Key Spanish vocabulary related to these three concepts
- Art
- Analyze the art: color/form/lines etc.
- Integrate with math: Draw 1 ______________, 2_______________, 3_____________, etc.
- Draw musical instruments (some activities on YouTube and Pinterest boards linked below)
- Dance
- 3 latin dances: merengue, salsa, and cumbia
- Steps for these dances
- Science
- How sound is formed in percussion instruments (maracas, marimba, drums, guiro)
- Make-your-own Latin American instrument (Lots of activities on Pinterest board)
- Explore sounds on classroom instruments or DIY instruments
- Health/PE
- Body autonomy
- Use of dance as fitness
- Manners/asking polite questions (please, thank you, polite ways to say no, etc.)
- Left/right (distinguishing/stepping side-side, etc.)
- See below for Music tips
Tips and Topics for Music Teachers
- Integrating Music and Dance
- How the different dances are counted
- Try the steps!
- Listen to the different music for the different dances.
- How are they different?
- Why?
- Can you tell the difference?
- Counting music patterns/rhythms
- Various instruments used in Latin America
- Musical tie-ins with Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15)
- DIY percussion instruments
- Instrument family sorting of Latin musical instruments.
Writing Prompts from Tonnye
- Listen to/watch some cumbia, merengue and salsa music/dancing. Which one is your favorite and why?
- Write an acrostic poem using either Cumbia, merengue, or salsa.
- Write a story about someone learning a new dance.
- Write about a kid from Latin America struggling to find friends, but brought together by dance.
- Write your own counting book.
- In 1,2,3 Cumbia, the author uses questions to model good manners and body autonomy/asking permission. Write your own story of body autonomy.
- Use a Q&A format to write a story. Use Cumbia for inspiration.
- Which of the musical instruments in Merengue is your favorite and why?
- Write a sensory poem about dancing Merengue, Cumbia or Salsa.
- Why is dance important?
- Do you know another language? Try writing a bilingual story or poem. You can replace some of the words with another language or you can repeat each line in another language, like Delia did in these books.
- If someone asked you what dance is associated with YOUR culture, what would you say? Write about that dance and why it matches your own culture so well.
- Write a letter to someone asking them about their dance experience. Be sure to use nice manners :-)
Writing Tips from Delia
- I look at the first and last sentence of my manuscript (I do this more for board books) and see if they align back to the theme.
- I always separate my layout into spreads and look at the final sentences. I ask myself, would this follow a page turn or would someone stop reading here? I want readers to be hooked and want to turn the page each time
- I don't write everyday but I find the time to do writing related things like cleaning up my workspace, writing bullet point ideas of potential book topics, reading, and resting.
Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!
YouTube playlist with music, lessons, examples, songs, and more to go along with these board books.
Pinterest board full of fun activities for drawing, dancing, singing, learning, and more that relate to the 1,2,3 Latin dance books!
Pinterest board full of fun activities for drawing, dancing, singing, learning, and more that relate to the 1,2,3 Latin dance books!
PBJamz Snack
Since this episode is sharing lots of Spanish language, Latin dance and music, I thought it only fitting that we feature another Latina mom who is putting a Latin American spin on a PBJ experience. I give you PBJ Quesadillas!!!! What a wonderful idea and I'm sure super-tasty for breakfast, lunch, or dinner for your littles (and for you if you're a PBJ fan like me. :-) Here's the link to this delicious recipe from Joyce of My Stay at Home Adventures. Be sure to check out her other content while you're there, leave her a comment if you love her idea and let her know you found it here on PBjamz!
Guest Links and Giveaways
Delia Ruiz
Delia Ruiz is a first generation Latinx author. She enjoys creating teacher materials under her teacher store Aventuras En ESL. Aventuras En ESL is also her social media platform used to showcase diverse books, especially Latine/x book picks. Her published books include the International Latino Book Award-winning Roqui’s Pandero Beat and the !1,2,3 Baila! board book series. Delia enjoys time at home, writing, and going on long walks. She resides in Los Angeles with her husband and pug. She is represented by Sera Rivers at Speilburg Literary Agency.
Website
Link to purchase from Soaring Kite Books
Delia has kindly offered a PB manuscript critique (non-rhyming, 800 words or less). In order to be eligible, leave a comment below no later than Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST.
Delia Ruiz is a first generation Latinx author. She enjoys creating teacher materials under her teacher store Aventuras En ESL. Aventuras En ESL is also her social media platform used to showcase diverse books, especially Latine/x book picks. Her published books include the International Latino Book Award-winning Roqui’s Pandero Beat and the !1,2,3 Baila! board book series. Delia enjoys time at home, writing, and going on long walks. She resides in Los Angeles with her husband and pug. She is represented by Sera Rivers at Speilburg Literary Agency.
Website
Link to purchase from Soaring Kite Books
Delia has kindly offered a PB manuscript critique (non-rhyming, 800 words or less). In order to be eligible, leave a comment below no later than Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST.
Eva and I Chat 12x12 Challenge, Our Origin Stories as Writers, Music, Opportunities, and More!
Pop in on our in-progress conversation where we discuss how we became writers in the first place, our mutual benefit from the 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge with Julie Hedlund, and all about her precious picture book all about musical genres. It's a great introduction for littles to learn 10 basic musical genres.. Eva is charming and so much fun to chat with! Pull up a chair!
BUSY LITTLE FINGERS: MUSIC
BUSY LITTLE FINGERS: MUSIC by Eva Wong Nava and illustrated by Eleonora Marton and published by Big Picture Press is a musical gem for teachers and young people who enjoy music. Check out this fabulous nonfiction book that introduces littles to 10 different genres of music: classical, opera, jazz, soul, blues, folk, country, rock, pop, and hip-hop. Lyrical text, rich vocabulary, fun interactive elements, and bright colorful illustrations characterize this one-of-a-kind book that is so full of musical content it belongs on every music teacher's shelf, and in every musical home. It's a great introduction for students to get a little glimpse of these ten musical genres. Used in conjunction with the resources we share below, kids will receive ten little gifts of music as they learn vital musical concepts in a fun and engaging way.
A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)
In the YouTube playlist (in the links section) there are LOTS of songs and videos about different genres of music that would be great companions to this episode's book. I really like this one because it allows the students to hear the various genres, but it also asks them to clap along in appropriate ways. It's a wonderful way to keep children engaged, and it works on genres and rhythm simultaneously! Win-win!
Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics
- The very first thing that comes to mind is features of text. The text is used very artistically, but purposefully in this book. Often when we teach features of text, with headings and bold text and highlights, it is in magazine style format with business fonts, etc. This, still a NF book, but it really takes artistic license with subject headings (each genre) and uses features of text in creative ways that would be fabulous to expose your students to. Here is a Pinterest board with lots of ideas for teaching nonfiction books and features of text.
- Onomatopoeia is sprinkled throughout the text. Here's a Pinterest board for Onomatopoeia.
- Do a scavenger hunt for these fun sound words in the text.
- Find the onomatopoeia together and discuss
- Ask them before opening the book, "If you had to write this sound (play or sing a sound for them), how would you write it down?" Discuss and THEN go into the book and talk about how the author chose to spell out those sounds.
- Adjectives are prolific in this book, and are often in a different size font/separate from the main text.
- Do a scavenger hunt for adjectives. Discuss
- Check the Pinterest board for activities with the adjectives
- Charades
- Pictionary/Win, Lose, or Draw activities
- Find synonyms for the adjectives in the book. What other adjectives could the author have used?
- Types of sentences **Note: When teaching the types of sentences, there are at least 5 things you need to teach: 1. Identifying 2. Differentiating 3. Punctuating 4. Reading with correct inflection/expression 5. Writing each type. Obviously you can choose ONE of those to work with in this book, but sometimes teachers leave out one or more components, so please at some point in your teaching, make sure you teach students how to read and write these sentences -- not just sort and punctuate. Here's a Pinterest board to help.
- The author has included both declarative (telling) sentences and interrogative (asking) sentences, as well as excited (exclamatory) sentences.
- Write/type out a few examples and play a game using a 3 column chart with each type of sentence as a column head. Discuss. How do you know it's ___. What were the clues. Read it aloud.
- There are also some commands (imperative sentences). How do you distinguish those?
- After reading, highlighting various sentence types, have students write their own examples -- or challenge level: write a paragraph using at least one of each kind.
- Vocabulary!!! Here's a Pinterest board with lots of ideas for teaching vocabulary.
- This book is full of rich vocabulary! Music words, robust adjectives, and more! Don't let the excellent verbage of this book pass you by! It's a great opportunity to enhance students' vocabulary.
Of course, there's also a ton of Social Studies you could teach using this book, specifically geography, music/culture and history, but other opportunities are sprinkled throughout the book, too. Pay attention to the countries/regions that are mentioned, plot them on a map or point them out on a globe. (Each student could have their own paper copy as you read and discuss the book.)
Tips and Topics for Music Teachers
The obvious connections here are styles/genres of music. Of course, there are many ways you could do it.
The way I have my classes set up is this:
Entrance (Quiet music playing) 1-2 minutes
Kids enter and sit according to a seating chart (Printed grid and I write their names in pencil so I can move them if it becomes an issue.)
Meditation/Character Education 5-ish minutes
Video of some sort teaching a character education skill or a meditation video giving them a chance to breathe, concentrate, do a body scan, stretch/do some yoga, etc.
"CopyCat Game" 7-15 minutes
Sometimes these are teacher-directed; sometimes video driven, but it's 7-15 minutes of rhythm practice, body percussion, steady beat, pitch/vocal exploration, etc.
Mini-lesson 15-ish minutes
This is where I share a big musical conept, read a book, do the big musical focus for the day.
Boogies and Byes 2-10 minutes
A fun dance/work-out video to get all the wiggles out before they go back to class.
Having said that, I could make this my mini-lesson for 10-12 weeks, or I could break it up over the whole class time, where everything relates (our copycat game would be relative to the genre we're focusing on that week and I would try to find a dance/workout video that related if possible as well, and the music playing as they enter could be that genre. It would also depend on if genres/musical styles is something specific in your curriculum. If it's not, probably not something you'd want to devote 12 weeks to. :-/ But I think it's great to give kids a little taste of various musical styles. That being the case, I might would use it as a short segment each week outside of my main lesson.
That is what would work for me in my schedule, but it could be different for yours.
Check out the YouTube playlist for lots of other genre/musical styles videos that you could use in conjunction.
I also use these playlists in my classroom for a couple of genres:
Jazz
Rap/HipHop
You can also go back and search for Rock in the PBJamz archive and there are some great playlists embedded there.
- Use the book as a guide for a 12-week unit. Week 1 as an intro to musical genres and read the intro in the book. Then for 10 weeks, tackle each genre, reading that section of the book, sharing examples of that genre, maybe talking about the key artists or time periods, etc. and then week 12, do a wrap-up: read the conclusion, do some genre reviews/games/quizzes, etc.
- Use the book as one component of your lessons for 12 weeks, using the same basic format as above, but just as a little "genre segment" of your class so you can keep the other pieces of your lessons following whatever scope and sequence you need to follow.
- Read the book in 2-5 class periods, dividing up the genres, with limited examples of each genre/style.
The way I have my classes set up is this:
Entrance (Quiet music playing) 1-2 minutes
Kids enter and sit according to a seating chart (Printed grid and I write their names in pencil so I can move them if it becomes an issue.)
Meditation/Character Education 5-ish minutes
Video of some sort teaching a character education skill or a meditation video giving them a chance to breathe, concentrate, do a body scan, stretch/do some yoga, etc.
"CopyCat Game" 7-15 minutes
Sometimes these are teacher-directed; sometimes video driven, but it's 7-15 minutes of rhythm practice, body percussion, steady beat, pitch/vocal exploration, etc.
Mini-lesson 15-ish minutes
This is where I share a big musical conept, read a book, do the big musical focus for the day.
Boogies and Byes 2-10 minutes
A fun dance/work-out video to get all the wiggles out before they go back to class.
Having said that, I could make this my mini-lesson for 10-12 weeks, or I could break it up over the whole class time, where everything relates (our copycat game would be relative to the genre we're focusing on that week and I would try to find a dance/workout video that related if possible as well, and the music playing as they enter could be that genre. It would also depend on if genres/musical styles is something specific in your curriculum. If it's not, probably not something you'd want to devote 12 weeks to. :-/ But I think it's great to give kids a little taste of various musical styles. That being the case, I might would use it as a short segment each week outside of my main lesson.
That is what would work for me in my schedule, but it could be different for yours.
Check out the YouTube playlist for lots of other genre/musical styles videos that you could use in conjunction.
I also use these playlists in my classroom for a couple of genres:
Jazz
Rap/HipHop
You can also go back and search for Rock in the PBJamz archive and there are some great playlists embedded there.
Writing Prompts from Tonnye
So many things to write about!
- What is your favorite genre/style of music and why?
- Is there one of the styles you don't know much about? After reading that section, what questions do you have? What else would you like to learn?
- Write about the genre you DON'T like and why.
- Has there ever been a piece of music you didn't like the first time you heard it but you later learned to like it? Write about that experience.
- The author says, "Music is all around you." Do you agree/disagree. Why?
- When you think about classical music, what comes to your mind?
- Write about a classical music experience you had.
- Listen to Vivaldi's Four Seasons (or part of it) and write a story, poem or song inspired by your listening.
- Have you ever been to an opera or listened to opera music? If so, did you like it or not, and why?
- Practice singing the scale on the opera pages. Is it easier for you to sing low or high? How did that exercise feel to you?
- Listen to some jazz music by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis or John Coltrane and write about the experience. Do you like Jazz? Why or why not?
- Join with a partner and write a "call and response" song.
- What do you think the author means when she says, "The world has soul."?
- The Blues is made up of songs, often written when people are sad. Write about a time when you were sad OR write a sad story.
- Folk is "music for the people" and every culture has their own folk music. What country/group of people would you like to learn more about their culture and their music? Why? After you write down what you want to learn and why, look it up online or check out a book and learn!
- Have you ever listened to country music or attended a barn dance or a hoedown? How did that music make you feel?
- Country music is all about everyday life. Write a song about something that happened to you today or this week.
- If you had a rock and roll band, what would they be called? Describe their costumes/outfits.
- Pop is short for popular music -- the music playing right now that everyone enjoys. What is your favorite pop song or who is your favorite pop singer?
- Have you ever tried rapping or beatboxing? How did it feel?
- The author says "Make some noise. Make some music." Do you think music and noise are the same or different? Why?
- Write about two friends who like two different kinds of music. What problems could happen? How would they solve them?
- Write about someone who only likes ONE kind of music, but finally they try a different kind -- and they LIKE it!
- Write about a kid who likes different styles of music than their parents.
- Write about an animal who only likes one genre of music.
Writing Tips from Eva
- Write what comes to your mind -- edit later.
- Don't overthink it. Follow your instincts.
- There's no new idea, but there's always new ways to write about an old idea.
- Write from the heart, always!
- Think about your audience.
Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!
YouTube playlist with lots of videos, songs, games and activities for musical genres.
Pinterest boardpin.it/37NRuDidw full of teaching activities, facts, graphic organizers, musical pieces, videos, and more to go beautifully with this book.
Pinterest boardpin.it/37NRuDidw full of teaching activities, facts, graphic organizers, musical pieces, videos, and more to go beautifully with this book.
PBJamz Snack
I thought since Eva gave us 10 musical genres, I could offer 10 PBJ tips. While this isn't a recipe per se, Happy Healthy Mama gives 10 tips for making healthier PBJ sandwiches, and if your kid is a PBJ kid, or if you're a PBJ lover yourself, these tips may leave you singing for your supper or breakfast or lunch. You'll be hitting the high notes of health while satisfying that PBJ craving! Check out the tips here.
Guest Links and Giveaways
Photo credit: Rebecca Cresta
Check out Eva's links and book-buying options below:
Eva's website
To buy the book: https://evawongnava.com/busy-little-fingers-music/
FB
Twitter/X
Instagram
Eva's Giveaway: a signed copy of the first edition of Busy Little Fingers Music.
To be entered into the drawing, simply make a comment below by 11:59 PM EST on 7/17/24.
Check out Eva's links and book-buying options below:
Eva's website
To buy the book: https://evawongnava.com/busy-little-fingers-music/
FB
Twitter/X
Eva's Giveaway: a signed copy of the first edition of Busy Little Fingers Music.
To be entered into the drawing, simply make a comment below by 11:59 PM EST on 7/17/24.
BUILDING A BEAK by Becca McMurdie
Becca and I are agent sisters, and when she reached out to all the Sweeney Siblings to see who might want an ARC to do a review, I was happy to read and review. (Hello, I need to be reading a plethora of PBs anyway, so I might as well review them and help out the author as well! You can do this, too!) But . . . when I read Grecia's story and how singing was a through line, I thought this would be an unusual, but perfect PBJamz book, so I invited her for a chat. Join us as we talk about Grecia, her lovely book, the power of song, engineering and the journey of picture books.
BUILDING A BEAK by Becca McMurdie
Becca McMurdie invites us to join her in Costa Rica in this lovely book about the cruelty -- and the kindness of humans. It's a wonderful reminder that, while bad exists in the world, there is more than enough good to counteract it. It's also a testament to the power of song to express all the emotions and all the things that happen to us. And it does all that, plus help us learn about toucans and prosthetics -- wrapped up in a STEAM package full of engineering concepts and ideas. This one is sweet, smart, and sciency in all the best ways!
A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)
This song is super cute and lots of fun. I chose this one for the word play, and also for the inclusion of musical instruments. If you're not loving this one, check out the full playlist below in the links section for lots more choices, along with art tutorials, STEAM activities, info about toucans and more!
Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics
Topics and activities: (*Be sure to check the links section for even more activities and ideas for teaching using this book!)
Social Studies: Costa Rica
Social Studies: Costa Rica
- Geography
- wildlife
- culture
- music
- history
- Timelines
- Engineering
- 3D printing
- Beak purposes/adaptations/experiments
- Bird characteristics/body parts
- Ecosystem
- Importance of toucan's beak
- Different types of toucans
- Life cycle of toucans
- Toucans
- Measurement/scientific drawing
- So many toucan art projects!
- rainforest activities
- color exploration
- Strong verbs (Verb scavenger hunt, discussion of how the choice of verbs affect the story. "What other verb could the author have used? How would that change the story?" etc.)
- Sequencing (life cycle, events in story, which came first, timeline in back matter, etc,)
- Different meanings of the word "sang"/different connotations in the book
- Measurement (beak drawings/pictures, creating/drawing beaks to certain measurements, etc.)
- Timeline/numberline connection
- Story problems using characters/info from the story for whatever content is appropriate for your students.
Tips and Topics for Music Teachers
Musical connections:
- Rainforest songs
- Rainforest sounds
- Toucan sounds/variations of their "songs"
- Songs about toucans
- Rainforest rhythms
- Using and/or creating rainsticks
- Create rhythmic patterns/compose rhythms using the words "toucan" "beak" "avocado" "rainforest" etc.
- Discuss different meanings/examples of sing/sang. How we can use the word differently. Grecia sang. The people sang for Grecia, etc.
Writing Prompts from Tonnye
- Write an acrostic poem using Grecia or Toucan or Rainforest
- If Grecia could sing a song with words at the end of the book, what would she sing? Write her song.
- Write a sensory poem about the rainforest.
- Write a letter from Grecia to the people who harmed her; then a letter to the people who helped her.
- Write a diamante with Grecia and toucan, broken and healed, or weak and strong, etc.
- Write a news report about Grecia's injury and/or a news report about her new prosthetic beak.
- Why do you think the author used singing in different ways throughout the book? OR Write about different ways you sing in your own life.
- Read this book and one story from BIONIC BEASTS by Jolene Gutierrez. Create a Venn diagram comparing the two stories and use it to write a story comparing/contrasting the two stories.
- Write an apology letter from the people who harmed Grecia to her.
- Write a report about toucans. Make sure you talk about their beaks.
- Why are toucans' beaks important to their survivial.
- Do you agree or disagree with the legislation making it illegal to harm wildlife? Why?
- If you were to witness someone harming a living creature, what would you do? OR If you HAVE experienced people hurting wildlife, what DID you do?
- Write about how humans impact our world positively and negatively.
- How do you think Grecia feels about humans? Why?
- Do you agree/disagree with the team that chose NOT to release Grecia back into the rainforest? Why?
- Write a report about Costa Rica.
- Write a story set in Costa Rica.
- Write a fictional story about a friendship between a toucan and another animal who lives in the rainforest.
- Write a list of twenty facts about toucans.
Writing Tips from Becca
1. Whenever a critique partner emails and asks you if you can look over a few MSs or a revision on short notice, because they just got a full request from an agent or an R&R from a publisher, always say yes! Even if you’re busy. Even if you have pressing deadlines for your day job, or your personal life is crazy. Just do it. Because trust me, karma is real, and when you get those same requests, you’ll need those favors in return!
2. Let every rejection be an invite to keep writing. Keep going. You’re probably closer than you think.
2. Let every rejection be an invite to keep writing. Keep going. You’re probably closer than you think.
Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!
Here's a YouTube playlist full of fun songs, art activities, STEAM activities, and loads of info about toucans.
Here's a PInterest board full of arts and crafts, info about Costa Rica, toucan facts, STEAM activities, and so much more!
Classroom guide from Page Street
Here's a PInterest board full of arts and crafts, info about Costa Rica, toucan facts, STEAM activities, and so much more!
Classroom guide from Page Street
PBJamz Snack
In keeping with the engineering STEM/STEAM core theme of BUILDING A BEAK, allow me to offer an individually-engineered (build-your-own) PBJ bar! Your little engineers will enjoy mapping out their favorite PBJ combo. Simply provide a variety of vehicles (bread, crackers, tortillas, etc), a jar of peanut butter (or a selection -- think creamy vs. crunchy, additional nut/seed butters, etc.), a variety of jams, jellies and/or fruits to add-in, and some additional toppings/add-ons and let each person build their own PBJ masterpiece and then gobble them up with their own trusty "beaks" ;-). This one is sure to please anyone (as long as they're not allergic -- always check when you are planning for a group.) You can check out some additional ideas at this link. (Photo and link credit to Little Us)
Guest Links and Giveaways
Becca's website
Twitter/X
Instagram
To buy BUILDING A BEAK, check out Becca's book page
Becca has generously offered a winner's choice:
1. A signed copy of BUILDING A BEAK
or
2. A picture book critique (fic or NF) up to 1,000 words
To be eligible to win, simply leave a comment below. The giveaway will be active through 11:59 PM EST on July 3. All commenters will be entered into a random drawing.
Twitter/X
To buy BUILDING A BEAK, check out Becca's book page
Becca has generously offered a winner's choice:
1. A signed copy of BUILDING A BEAK
or
2. A picture book critique (fic or NF) up to 1,000 words
To be eligible to win, simply leave a comment below. The giveaway will be active through 11:59 PM EST on July 3. All commenters will be entered into a random drawing.
A Chat about the PBJamz that was "meant to be"
If you're a rock and roll fan -- or if you have a little rockin' fan in your house or your classroom, this is the book for you! Join Jason and I as we talk inspiration, process, path to publication, and of course rock and roll! Jason is a teacher and a dad, so he has a unique perspective that he brings to the table. It's a great conversation -- pull up a chair and join us!
ROCK STARS DON'T NAP by Jason Perkins
What a cute book that takes naptime on a rockin' road trip tour! Be a napping groupie for a meant-to-be PBJamz! The perfect book for your budding rockstar, your non-napping little, your performer-in-training . . . the humorous word play and adult Easter eggs (rock'n'roll style) make this fun tome a perfect read for the whole family. Besides the PBJamz mention, the playlist at the back is one of my favorite parts! ;-)
A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)
Nothing like an oldie, but goodie. Everyone loves this old favorite that is mentioned right in the book. This is a live performance by Bill Haley and His Comets from 1954. If you want to enjoy some additional musical Easter eggs from the book, check out the two playlists in the links section below. One has lots of music for teachers and families to use in conjunction with the book, and the other is a straight playlist of Jimmy's Jams. (Please be aware that Jimmy's Jams are the actual rock'n'roll songs, and not edited for language or content, so make sure that you preview songs to make sure they meet YOUR standards before sharing them with littles.)
Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics
ELA (English/Language arts) (**You can tell from the vocabulary and the puns/word play used in this book that, while the character is VERY young, the vocabulary and the content will also appeal to older kids, and the comprehension involves deciphering multi-meaning words, so this books is excellent for primary/elementary for the content, while younger children will enjoy the read-alouds and will probably enjoy some of the humor.)
Art
- Puns/word play! They are dominant in this book. There are many ways you could integrate this into your classroom.
- Search for the examples; make a list
- Write a paragraph about what the pun really means. (ie. When the author says Jimmy dropped a number two hit that left everyone gasping, what he really means is that Jimmy did a number two bathroom accident. He pooped. It must have been a bad one based on the art on that page. The yucky green color tells you it was terrible and the expressions on the other shoppers' faces verify that.) This is great for using text evidence, too.
- Use a different topic (or the same one. . .) and try to create your own list of puns/word play.
- Use the writing prompts below for writing connections.
- Talk about how the illustrations support and enhance the text.
- Lots of rockin' vocabulary:
- star
- righteous wail
- reviews
- rock
- heavy metal
- jam
- grunge
- rock opera
- fan
- show
- on the road
- solos
- encores
- ballads
- superstar
- number 2 hit
- fame
- life on the road
- wardrobe
- tune
- washed-up
- spinning out of control
- wrong side of the law
- graffiti
- paparazzi
- showtime
- rock bottom
- performance
- classic hits
- crowd
- shredded
- power chord
- stage dive
Art
- Check the Pinterest board in the links section for lots of rockin' art projects related to the book.
- STEM activity -- make a speaker or a microphone
- Create story problems using characters/items from the book.
- Use the grocery store as a kick-off point and talk about money
- "Rock around the Clock" to tell time to the hour
Tips and Topics for Music Teachers
- This book is a great one to team teach, as much of the language arts, science, and art topics would naturally support music curriculum and vice versa.
- Rock'n'roll is the obvious connection here! Lots of ways to explore! (*Make sure the songs you choose to include are appropriate for the age/setting you are teaching.)
- Study rock'n'roll as a genre
- Explore the history of rock'n'roll
- Origins
- Artists
- How it changed
- Rock'n'roll play-alongs
- Percussion
- Boomwhackers
- rhythm/body percussion
- instruments
- *Check out the YouTube playlist in the Links section for lots of fun examples of this.
- Use it as a program title and have a rockin' concert (My most recent concert was "Musical Superheroes Shake, Rattle, and Roll" and featured lots of rock'n' roll fun.)
- Structure of rock songs/form
- Discuss/practice the elements of music related to rock'n'roll (dynamics particularly comes to mind as an appropriate element that expresses itself very diversely in the rock genre, but you could also compare other elements in rock music.)
Writing Prompts from Tonnye
- If you're a parent, write about an interesting, difficult or funny naptime experience with your own child(ren).
- Write a story about a naptime gone wrong.
- Write a lullaby (lyrics at least -- add a tune or more comprehensive music if you can and would like to.)
- Write about your favorite rockstar/rock band.
- Write a parody of a rock song (check out Weird Al Yankovic for inspiration ;-)
- Write your own take using Jason's title ROCK STARS DON'T NAP.
- What else don't rock stars do? Write your own version of something rock stars wouldn't do.
- Write a sensory poem about a rock concert.
- What is your favorite rock'n'roll song? Why?
- Compare rock'n'roll to another genre of music. (Use a Venn diagram or a double T-chart as a pre-writing exercise if you need to in order to discover similarities and differences.)
- Look through Jason's book ROCK STARS DON'T NAP for all the rock'n'roll "Easter eggs" Make a list or write about your favorite one.
- Word play and puns are so important to this book. Use one of the puns as a jumping off point and write something related to that.
- Choose the title of one of "Jimmy's Jams" and use it to write your own story.
- Write a letter to Jimmy or Jimmy's parents about their behavior in the book. Do you agree/disagree with how they handled the situations?
- Write a report about the history of rock'n'roll.
- Write an acrostic poem: rock'n'roll.
- Write a diamante poem comparing rock music to another genre (or comparing two rock artists)
- Write a story about a boy named Jimmy who LOVED to nap.
- Write the sequel to ROCK STARS DON'T NAP. What other hurdles do you think Jimmy and his parents will face?
Writing Tips from Jason
#1. Write in as many different ways as possible. We are creatures of habit, and many of us have one spot and one style when it comes to our writing, but different approaches use different parts of your brain. Write your story in pencil, draw it (stick figures are okay!) type it out, use voice to text. Write it forwards and backwards. You never know what part of your brain the answers are hiding in, so engage as much of it as possible.
#2. Read it aloud, and ask others to read it to you. Something that may sound great in your head may not match up when read aloud. Read your story aloud as you go, and once you feel it is in a good place, ask others to read it to you. Listen for places where they stumble, for what parts seem exciting to them.
#3. Use mentor text with post it notes. Write your story on post it notes, then stick them in your mentor text and read it aloud. I used Mustache Baby when writing Rock Stars Don't Nap.
#2. Read it aloud, and ask others to read it to you. Something that may sound great in your head may not match up when read aloud. Read your story aloud as you go, and once you feel it is in a good place, ask others to read it to you. Listen for places where they stumble, for what parts seem exciting to them.
#3. Use mentor text with post it notes. Write your story on post it notes, then stick them in your mentor text and read it aloud. I used Mustache Baby when writing Rock Stars Don't Nap.
Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!
YouTube playlist "Jimmy's Jams" -- Warning: Some songs contain language and adult content. Please preview before sharing with kids and especially before showing in a school setting.
YouTube playlist PBJamz: ROCK STARS DON'T NAP A list of songs and musical activities that go well with the book. *These should be safe for school settings, but always preview before showing content to be sure it is appropriate for your context.
Pinterest board with images, videos, activities, etc. (I'll keep adding to this.)
YouTube playlist PBJamz: ROCK STARS DON'T NAP A list of songs and musical activities that go well with the book. *These should be safe for school settings, but always preview before showing content to be sure it is appropriate for your context.
Pinterest board with images, videos, activities, etc. (I'll keep adding to this.)
PBJamz Snack
The perfect snack for little rock'n'rollers is a peanut butter and jelly roll-up. Rock up and roll up and eat up! The recipe is here. Enjoy!
Guest Links and Giveaways
Website
Twitter/X
To purchase ROCK STARS DON'T NAP on Amazon
For a giveaway, Jason has generously offered a critique of a humorous picture book manuscript to one lucky winner! Simply leave a comment below no later than 11:59 PM EST on Wednesday, May 29, to be entered. For an extra entry, copy and paste the link for your Amazon review for ROCK STARS DON'T NAP. Let's try to help Jason get those 50 reviews!
An Artsy Chat with Colleen . . .
Colleen joins me for a chat about music, art, picture books, process and so much more. It's a fun and lively chat that touches on inspiration, creativity, resilience and stick-to-it-iveness. Come on in and pull up a chair and chat with us!
PIANO WANTS TO PLAY
This lovely little tome is a perfect gift for every piano lover in your world -- especially if they are also a music teacher! It will have a special place on their shelf and in their hearts! Pianos have feelings -- and wishes . . . or at least if they did, this is maybe what it would be like. Piano has a special friendship with Amy as she learns to play Piano. Eventually they make beautiful music together, but as she grows up and gets busy, Piano gets left behind. Enter Rupert, the little brother. With his high energy and booger-covered fingers, Piano is not fond of the music they make together. What Piano didn't know was that their wish would come true in a most beautiful way. I get a bit teary at the end every time I read it because it's so sweet and so perfect!
A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)
Since this song is loosely referenced in the text, it's a perfect companion. Kids will be captivated by the movement, but there are also some lovely musical elements to focus on here to use it as a teaching tool. A great piece for calming kids down too, when they get wound up. Use it for deep breathing, stretching, or your favorite calming method. Just having students watch the mesmerizing video may help calm them down. Check the YouTube playlist coming in part 2 of the episode (links section) for more lovely piano music referenced in the book as well as more piano fun for kids.
Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics
- Similes -- Find them in the book; write your own.
- Dialogue/quotation marks
- types of sentences (declarative, interrogative, exclamatory or telling, asking, excited)
- Write letters of appreciation to the music teacher at your school (or better still, buy them a copy of the book! :-))
- Pair this book with MY PIANO for compare/contrast and learn about how pianos are made and played. Invite guest speakers in.
- Partner with the music teacher and do a careers in music unit and have a piano teacher, the school music teacher and a piano tuner come in to talk about their careers.
- Investigate the author/illustrator. Do a project or write a short report on her.
- This book is an example of personification (giving human characteristics and actions to a non-human character.) Have students find other examples of personification in other stories/books and/or write their own story, personifying something special to them.
Tips and Topics for Music Teachers
The most obvious teaching topics for music class from this book are piano skills and activities and scales. There are many ways to integrate those into class. Check out the YouTube playlist and the Pinterest board in the links section for other ideas and specific ways to use them.
There is also lots of musical vocabulary:
Another direction you could go using this book is to talk about careers in music represented in this book:
Piano teacher
Piano tuner
Elementary music teacher
(Those are specifically mentioned, but you could use it to talk about other careers in music as well.)
- Practice scales on written keyboard worksheets or whiteboards
- Label piano worksheets or fun labeling activities.
- Sing scales or play scales.
- Introduce Solfege and hand signs
- Beethoven (Moonlight Sonata, Ode to Joy)
- Ellington (Daydreams)
There is also lots of musical vocabulary:
- scales
- adagios
- boogie-woogie
- sharps
- flats
- melodies
- keyboard
- keys
- notes
- strings
Another direction you could go using this book is to talk about careers in music represented in this book:
Piano teacher
Piano tuner
Elementary music teacher
(Those are specifically mentioned, but you could use it to talk about other careers in music as well.)
Writing Prompts from Tonnye
- If you have a sibling, write about the differences in you and your sibling.
- If you could learn to play any instrument, which would you play? Why?
- Write about the relationship between Amy and Piano.
- Write about a time you were excited about something, but then lost interest.
- Why do you think Piano prefers Amy's playing over her brother's?
- Write about the importance of practice when you are learning an instrument.
- Write an acrostic poem about PIANO.
- Make a Venn diagram about the similarities and differences in Amy and her brother. Then use it to write about how they are similar and different.
- Write about an experience you had in music class at school.
- Do you think Amy is a good music teacher? Why/why not?
- Why do you think Amy brought Piano into her music classroom?
- Write a letter: from Amy to Piano or from Piano to Amy.
- Make a thank you card to Amy as a music teacher from one of her students.
- Listen to Daydreams by Duke Ellington and write whatever comes to mind.
- Write a story personifying something special to you.
- Write a report on Ellington or Beethoven.
- Listen to Moonlight Sonata and write whatever comes to mind.
- Write a report about one of the musical careers in the book: piano teacher, piano tuner, or elementary music teacher.
Writing Tips from Colleen
- Do a little writing or drawing everyday to keep yourself in touch with your kidlit power—even if it’s just 5-10 mins. Turn this small creative meditation into a habit like brushing your teeth everyday. Creativity is a muscle that gets more powerful when exercised.
- Talent is good to have. But GRIT is what carries you across the finish line. The journey to publication is a marathon. Produce as much as you can—most of it will get shot down, but occasionally you have a gem. The more “No’s” you can stomach, the more likely you will find a “Yes.”
- Stay true to your vision, but hear what your trusted readers/viewers have to say and allow your vision to evolve. Growth is uncomfortable, but exciting.
Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!
piano_wants_to_play_activity_guide.pdf | |
File Size: | 15909 kb |
File Type: |
Pinterest board with piano lessons, motivational thoughts, etc.
YouTube playlist full of piano pieces, lessons, teaching activities and lots more.
MY PIANO by Jen Fier Jasinski is a perfect companion book to this one. You can find the PBJamz episode here
*Be sure to check out the YouTube playlist and the Pinterest boards for that episode too, since there are lots of crossovers.
YouTube playlist full of piano pieces, lessons, teaching activities and lots more.
MY PIANO by Jen Fier Jasinski is a perfect companion book to this one. You can find the PBJamz episode here
*Be sure to check out the YouTube playlist and the Pinterest boards for that episode too, since there are lots of crossovers.
PBJamz Snack
Peanut butter and jelly cheesecake bars are delicious enough to help you or your young one power through the most grueling piano practice session, but elegant enough to serve at a celebratory recital -- or anything in between. Protein, tanginess, sweetness -- these bars have it all. Wanna make some of your own? Find the recipe here.
Guest Links and Giveaways
Below, find all of Colleen's socials and contact info.
If you'd like to purchase PIANO WANTS TO PLAY, here's the Amazon link, but if you have an indie bookstore nearby, we'd love for you to purchase from them.
Website: https://ckongsavage.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/kongsavage/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kongsavage.bsky.social
Colleen has kindly offered a copy of PIANO WANTS TO PLAY along with some SWAG and a signed bookplate to one lucky winner! To be entered, simply leave a comment below.
If you'd like to purchase PIANO WANTS TO PLAY, here's the Amazon link, but if you have an indie bookstore nearby, we'd love for you to purchase from them.
Website: https://ckongsavage.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/kongsavage/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kongsavage.bsky.social
Colleen has kindly offered a copy of PIANO WANTS TO PLAY along with some SWAG and a signed bookplate to one lucky winner! To be entered, simply leave a comment below.
Rainbows, positivity, music, and friendship . . .
If you're needing a dose of positivity, music and ways to change the world alongside a precious picture book and some sweet jammin' tunes, this episode is just right for you! Joni is absolutely precious and full of joy and a desire to share that joy with the world. No wonder she's an award-winning children's author and song writer. We had a great chat and we hope you enjoy joining us too!
RAINBOW OF FRIENDSHIP
Joni's first book, inspired by her daughters' girl scout days. From Bare Book to published, and award-wining, check out the interview to find out more about Joni's inspiration, writing process, and path to publication. Check out her website in the guest links section to purchase copies directly from her (and to see her other fabulous books and songs and plays.)
A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)
Check out Joni's very own song and the book trailer for RAINBOW OF FRIENDSHIP. Be sure to check the guest links below for where to access all of Joni's music, as well as my YouTube playlist for more fun songs and musical activities related to RAINBOW OF FRIENDSHIP.
friendship1818.mp3 | |
File Size: | 7875 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics
- Colors (Art/Science connection) --
- For preschool through kindergarten -- color identification
- For K-2, color mixing, primary vs. secondary colors
- Color poems
- Rainbow (Science connection)
- How do rainbows form?
- Colors of the rainbow in order (ROY G BIV)
- Friendship (SEL/Health/Social Studies connection)
- What makes a good friend'
- Friendship character traits
- How to be a good friend
- Being friends with people different than you
- Alliteration (ELA connection)
- Find examples in the book
- Write your own examples
- Alliterative sentences/poems with colors or about friendship
- Similes (ELA connection)
- Find similes in the book
- Write your own examples
- Color poems "As red as. . . ." etc. (Pinterest board)
- Rhyming (ELA connection)
- Find rhyming words
- Create your own rhyming pairs or word families
- Write rhyming couplets
- Adjectives (ELA connection)
- Find adjectives
- Write phrases or sentences with adjectives
- Besides color, what other adjectives can we use?
- PE connections
- Play hopscotch
- Kick the Can
- Hide-and-Seek
- Math connections
- Color patterns
- Create story problems from the book
Tips and Topics for Music Teachers
- This book would be a great companion to using Boomwhackers, bells, or color-coded solfege notation. (rainbow colors); could put the reds together, oranges, etc. and talk about how those sounds are the same (pitch); also could put sounds together (ie, CEG) and begin building chords; relate it to friendship.
- Rainbow songs (connecting science and music)
- Friendship songs (SEL)
- Rapping rhyming couplets
- Friendship song from Joni Klein-Higger
- Color songs
Writing Prompts from Tonnye
- Write a rhyming couplet about your favorite color. How many colors can you do?
- Write a simile poem about one color -- or a simile poem about the whole rainbow of colors. (Check the pinterest board for some ideas and templates.
- My Favorite Color is _______ because . . .
- Write your own story about neighborhoods where kids with differences learn to be friends.
- Do you think kids with differences can be friends? Why/why not?
- Create a Venn diagram about you and your friend. How are you alike? Different?
- Write a letter to your friend telling why they are a good friend.
- Write an acrostic poem with the word friend.
- Write an alliterative phrase or sentence with your name.
- Write a poem or story telling which color neighborhood you would live in and why.
- Write a letter from an Orange to a Purple.
- Write about how rainbows are formed.
- Write about a magical rainbow.
- Write a letter to the author and/or illustrator telling them why you like/don't like the book.
- THE GRAY RAINBOW (title)
Writing Tips from Joni
- Be a part of a writing community and utilize their offerings.
- Join an in-person or online critique group that specializes in your genre. If you already belong to one and want to become more prolific, consider joining a second group.
- Set goals - Daily, Yearly, and Long-term. For your daily goals, incorporate three positive things a day that move you closer to your yearly goals. Whether it be creating, researching, marketing, signing up for or reading an educational blog or newsletter, registering for an author/illustrator event, or critiquing your peers' work, these accomplishments add up and keep you moving forward on your creative journey. Remember, small wins are just as important as the big ones. For yearly goals, check in every couple of months to see how you are doing. Long term goals are great to look at whenever you need inspiration.
- Go out of your comfort zone. That is where the most growth happens!
Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!
Pinterest board full of activities for rainbow science, friendship, interviews with Joni and more!
YouTube playlist with songs about colors, rainbows, friendship, along with interviews with Joni and more.
YouTube playlist with songs about colors, rainbows, friendship, along with interviews with Joni and more.
PBJamz Snack
For this lovely book about friendship and rainbows, a rainbow of shortbread thumbprint cookies seems the perfect PBJamz snack for sharing. Gather jams and jellies in a rainbow of colors and create your own delectable cookie rainbow and celebrate friendship with your besties! Get the recipe here.
Guest Links and Giveaways
Social Links:
Joni’s Website: www.joniworld.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoniKleinHiggerBooks/
X: https://twitter.com/KleinHigger
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonikleinhigger/
Links to Joni’s Books
Barnyard Bubbe’s Hanukkah:
Barnyard Bubbe's Hanukkah
amazon.com
Ten Tzedakah Pennies:
Ten Tzedakah Pennies
amazon.com
Links to Joni Klein-Higger’s music: Joni's music is available on Spotify and most online music stores including, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
Joni Klein-Higger
open.spotify.com
Joni Klein Higger
open.spotify.com
Joni’s Website: www.joniworld.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoniKleinHiggerBooks/
X: https://twitter.com/KleinHigger
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonikleinhigger/
Links to Joni’s Books
Barnyard Bubbe’s Hanukkah:
Barnyard Bubbe's Hanukkah
amazon.com
Ten Tzedakah Pennies:
Ten Tzedakah Pennies
amazon.com
Links to Joni Klein-Higger’s music: Joni's music is available on Spotify and most online music stores including, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
Joni Klein-Higger
open.spotify.com
Joni Klein Higger
open.spotify.com
Joni is excited to share a copy of Barnyard Bubbe’s Hanukkah with one lucky winner. To be eligible to win, simply leave a comment below by 11:59 PM (EST) on May 1, 2024. Winner will be drawn at random from comments.
Down on the Farm chat with Kalee Gwarjanski
Come enjoy a chat on the farm -- MISS MCDONALD'S FARM. You'll enjoy your visit, although it's not your traditional moo moo here. Instead, it's an E-I-E-I-Grow(ing) experience. Join debut author Kalee Gwarjanski and me as we chat about musical inspiration, an AHmazing path to publication, and lots of fun chatter about this fun fractured farming tale. And be sure to check out all the resources below!
MISS MACDONALD HAS A FARM
It's "Old MacDonald" with a twist. MacDonald isn't old, and it's . . .a . . .girl! And, she doesn't have lots of animals on her farm, but she does have lots of plants! E-I-E-I-GROW! This book is perfect for everyone who has a green thumb (or wishes they did); great for our youngest gardeners and farmers. Enjoy learning about plant life cycles and the farm to table experience in a fun, familiar and engaging way with this lovely female-forward version of a classic!
A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)
This instrumental version of "Old McDonald" is the perfect accompaniment to sing along with Kalee's version of MISS MCDONALD! Grab your copy of the book, turn pages and sing along! You could also sing the traditional version of words or play one of the versions of Old MacDonald and compare/contrast. Also you could have kids mix and match or write their own version of what they might find on farms in their geographical area. There are lots more musical pieces in the YouTube playlist in the links section for you to explore about all the themes in the book.
Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics
- Plant life cycles
- Lettuce
- Peas
- Tomatoes
- Zucchini
- Potatoes
- Green beans
- Pumpkins
- Corn
- Farm field trip! and/or . . .
- Guest speaker (local produce farmer, agricultural extension agent, etc.)
- Seed planting (STEM) -- lettuce and peas both grow fairly quickly. You could plant seeds for kids to take home or make a raised bed at school. (There are grants available for school gardens . . .) Cardboard egg cartons make great biodegradable seed starters. You can also use toilet paper/paper towel tubes and fold to create a bottom.
- For math connections, measure growth and graph or chart it.
- For science connections, create a journal and have students observe, draw, and write about changes in the seeds/plants as they grow.
- "Grow" word family
- VERBS! So many great verbs for how plants move and grow. (PLANTS CAN'T SIT STILL by Rebecca E. Hirsch might be a fun companion book as it talks about all the ways plants move)
- Tasting party (Check for allergies) Taste the foods mentioned in the book. Graph favorites for math connections
- Salad bar lunch -- work with cafeteria, local restaurant, etc. to set up a salad bar for lunch
- (Social Studies) Compare various types of farms or regional differences in farms: Compare farm life in different cultures, the different foods popular in various cultural foods.
- (SEL) Caring for other living organisms, patience, perseverance
- (Art) Use vegetables to make art by dipping them in paint to create designs. Cut them in different ways for variety (lengthwise, crosswise, use ends, etc.)
- Be sure to check out the YouTube playlist and the PInterest board in the links section for even more ideas.
Tips and Topics for Music Teachers
- Old MacDonald is the obvious choice here. Some options
- Experience various versions of Old MacDonald
- Different lyrics
- Different styles of music
- Different instrumentation
- Learn to play Old MacDonald on instruments:
- Recorders
- Bells/Boomwhackers
- Ukelele
- Piano/keyboard
- Mallet insstruments
- Create new lyrics based on a different kind of farm
- Use ORFF instruments to play along with Old MacDonald
- Write out the rhythm patterns used in Old MacDonald
- Check out the YouTube playlist for some fun rhythm play-along videos, rhythm stick activities and more.
- Experience various versions of Old MacDonald
Writing Prompts from Tonnye
- If you've ever visited a farm, write about what that was like.
- If you had a choice between lettuce, peas and tomatoes, which would you choose to eat and why?
- Write a "how to" article teaching someone how to grow lettuce/peas/or tomatoes.
- Write about the life cycle of one of the plants in the book.
- Write your own version of Old McDonald Had a Farm.
- Write a poem about something that grows.
- Write a letter to Miss MacDonald.
- If you had a farm, what would you grow and why?
- Would you prefer to visit Miss MacDonald or Old MacDonald? Why?
- Write a shape poem about tomatoes.
- Write a diamante poem starting with Old MacDonald and ending with Miss MacDonald.
- Make up your own salad recipe.
- Write a letter to the author or the illustrator telling them what you like about the book.
- Write an alliterative poem about one of the vegetables in the story.
- In the back matter there's a recipe for a Harvest Vegetable Bake. Which vegetables would you put in and why?
- Look carefully at the pictures and list all the animals you see in the pictures. Why do you think the illustrator included them? Why are they important?
- Choose a word you didn't know before. Make a chart showing the word, what it means (the definition), draw a picture to represent the word and write a sentence with the word.
- I would/would not want to be a farmer because . . .
- On the last spread, there is something inside the pumpkin. Write about what you think is inside the pumpkin.
- Choose one of the vegetables and make a list of all the ways you can eat it.
Writing Tips from Kalee
1. Critique partners. Need I say more?? Find some good ones who are actually critical (not just complementary) and just as invested as you in furthering their craft.
2. Stay on the bus. (I can't remember who coined this phrase for me, but I wrote it on a sticky note.) You never know when your YES will come. But you do know it will never come if you don’t ask for it. So participate in everything you are able, even if the little voice inside says “is this worth it?” Yes, it is always worth it.
3. "Keep it simple. Make it sing." Another sticky note mantra that I don't remember the origin of. Picture books are meant to be read aloud to children and this phrase helps me focus on that during revisions.
2. Stay on the bus. (I can't remember who coined this phrase for me, but I wrote it on a sticky note.) You never know when your YES will come. But you do know it will never come if you don’t ask for it. So participate in everything you are able, even if the little voice inside says “is this worth it?” Yes, it is always worth it.
3. "Keep it simple. Make it sing." Another sticky note mantra that I don't remember the origin of. Picture books are meant to be read aloud to children and this phrase helps me focus on that during revisions.
Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!
Pinterest board
Lots of ideas for resources to go along with MISS MACDONALD
YouTube playlist full of various versions of Old MacDonald, songs about growing plants, the farm to table experience, and more!
Lots of ideas for resources to go along with MISS MACDONALD
YouTube playlist full of various versions of Old MacDonald, songs about growing plants, the farm to table experience, and more!
PBJamz Snack
When strawberries and milk come directly from farm to table, this milkshake will be even better! Healthy, natural, and delicious! If you're growing (or buying from your local farmers' market) peaches or blueberries, etc., you can substitute those for the strawberries. You can find the base recipe here, and then have fun playing with it!
Guest Links and Giveaways
www.kaleegwarjanski.com
Twitter/X
Amazon
Linktree
Order at my local indy! Custom signing available
Miss MacDonald Has A Farm Picture Book Trailer
Website - Free Coloring Pages
Request a FREE custom signed bookplate
Twitter
Roarin 24s Group
Kalee has generously offered a winner's choice! Will you choose a picture book manuscript critique or a classroom zoom for a GIVEAWAY if you win? To be eligible, simply leave a comment below. One winner will be chosen on Thursday, April 18. You have until 11:59 PM EST on Wednesday, April 17 to comment and be eligible for the prize!
Twitter/X
Amazon
Linktree
Order at my local indy! Custom signing available
Miss MacDonald Has A Farm Picture Book Trailer
Website - Free Coloring Pages
Request a FREE custom signed bookplate
Roarin 24s Group
Kalee has generously offered a winner's choice! Will you choose a picture book manuscript critique or a classroom zoom for a GIVEAWAY if you win? To be eligible, simply leave a comment below. One winner will be chosen on Thursday, April 18. You have until 11:59 PM EST on Wednesday, April 17 to comment and be eligible for the prize!
PBJamz
This page is the official space for PBJamz -- multimedia Jamorama celebrating all things PB (picture books) and Jamz (music), although we'll indulge in the other PBJ snacks where appropriate :-). Join us each Thursday for new content connecting picture books and music!
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