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Kimberly Gordon Biddle and DARLENE, THE DOUBLE DUTCH QUEEN

6/23/2022

6 Comments

 
Congratulations, Steena Hernandez!  You are the winner of the Zoom session with Jeni Chen!  

and. . . .

Congratulations, Jany Campana!  You are the winner of digital art from Jeni Chen!

I'll connect you all so you can work out details! Thanks for your support of Jeni and PBJamz!  Enjoy your prizes!

Chatting with Kimberly Gordon Biddle about Double Dutch dreams and music and more!

I sat down, via Zoom, with retired professor, author, and musician Kimberly Gordon Biddle.  Kimberly has written 3 picture books (linked in Guest Links and Giveaways section), along with some textbooks in her field of child development.  She also challenges herself to write a song to go with each book, including the one we're focusing on for the next couple of weeks!  Check the song out in the Jams section below!  Make sure you comment on the blog post to enter to win a signed book or a Zoom visit with Kimberly!

And stay tuned next week to the blog for part 2 -- teaching tips, writing prompts and more -- all related to Kimberly's book and her accompanying song!

PB (Picture Book Tasting) DARLENE'S DOUBLE DUTCH DREAMS

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The Double Dutch competition is at stake.  Can Darlene become the Double Dutch Queen?  Her feet get tangled and she keeps messing up.  But when push comes to shove, can Darlene do it?  With the right motivation, Darlene learns to step in to hard things and stay one jump ahead in this picture book by Kimberly Gordon Biddle. Kids who love jumping rope, whether they're double dutchers or not will enjoy this story full of can-do attitudes, and stepping in when people are counting on you.  Darlene not only becomes the queen, but the hero, too, of her own story!

​A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind) Darlene the Double Dutch Queen

Click on the link to get to the song Kimberly wrote for this story called Darlene the Double Dutch Queen

​Enjoy the song and the other resources available via Kimberly's website!  

Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics

I hope you enjoy working Kimberly's book into your classroom!  Here are some options:
  • SEL -- Discuss how you handle/ new strategies for:
    • When you can't do something well
    • When pressure is high
    • When you need to perform well and you're nervous
  • SEL -- How did dreams help Darlene?  Why are things easier in our dreams? How can we make our positive dreams come true?
  • Social Studies -- History of Double Dutch
  • Phys. Ed. -- Try some Double Dutch techniques
  • Reading --
    • BME (Beginning/Middle/End)
    • Problem/Solution
    • Character sketch of Darlene 
  • Language use
    • Onomatopoeia
    • Figurative language
    • Strong verbs (twirl, jump, dream, etc.)
      • Locate them
      • Act them out
  • Comprehension
    • Drawing inferences -- what is the situation with the mom?  How do you know?  Cite text evidence.

Tips and Topics for Music Teachers

Rhythm is really the musical key to everything in this story!  Rhythm is ever-present: the rhythm of the chants, the rhythm of the ropes, using the rhythm/internalizing it to be able to jump.

This book would be a great way to introduce and talk about the difference in rhythm and beat (or jump rope in general.). The rope must maintain the steady beat.  If it's not steady, it will mess up whomever is jumping and they won't be able to jump well.  It must be steady, even, and consistent.  The chants are where the rhythm comes in.  They have long and short sounds, pauses, and words overlaying the steady beat of the rope.  

Possible lesson ideas:
  • Write your own double dutch (or jump rope) chants.  Take turns jumping each person's chant.
  • Analyze well known chants; match them up to musical rhythm with sounds or notation.
  • Discuss how chants differ from songs or poems, etc.
  • Watch Double Dutch routines.  Point out the steady beat vs. rhythm
  • Let students try their hand at Double Dutch.
  • Allow students to tap the steady beat along with Double Dutch chants/performances, etc.  Or allow them to use simple percussion instruments.
  • Use Kimberly's song in class to reinforce the story, or to sing along.
  • After listening to the author's song, allow students to try their hand at a chorus or verse and chorus of their own based on the story.
  • Do a variation on the author's melody.  What if you changed the style? Tempo? Rhythm?

Tips for authors from Kimberly

 1. Write from your heart and what you love.
2. Always keep learning and honing your craft.
3. Publishing a book is a long process.
4. Keep hope alive! ​

Writing Prompts from Tonnye

1.  Write about a dream you have -- something you'd like to be able to do, but you can't -- YET.
2.  Write about a time you were sick or someone close to you was sick.
3.  Darlene was the middle child in her family and she didn't feel like there was anything special about her.  Write about your place in your family and what makes you special.
4.Write your own jump rope or double dutch chants.
5. Write your own song to match the story.
6. Write a letter to yourself, telling how to do something that is hard for you.  What strategies should you try?  What should you do when you feel like giving up?
7.  Write a how-to article for "How to Jump Rope" or "How to Do Double Dutch"
8. Write an acrostic poem using your name.  Each line should begin with one of the letters of your name.
9. Make a list of 10 things you can do when things aren't going right and/or you're feeling overwhelmed.
​10.  Write about an interesting dream you had.
​11. Write about why you think Darlene was finally able to double dutch.  What changed?
​

Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!

  • Have a family/class/group jump rope competition.  See who can jump the longest, do the most tricks, etc.  
  • Try different variations of jumping rope -- try a single rope, a long rope and double dutch.
  • Watch some double dutch competition and discuss your favorites.  What did you like and why?
  • Read the book together and listen to the song from the website. Discuss how they go together.
  • Check out the  teacher's guide on Kimberly's website!  There is a readers theater script and the song linked up there as well!  Lots of great resources!
  • Check out this Pinterest board for lots of fun activities that would go well with DARLENE'S DOUBLE DUTCH DREAMS.
  • Here's a YouTube playlist with lots of Double Dutch videos, the interview with Kimberly, some how-to videos, history videos and more!

PBJamz Snack

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If you're going to spend  some time double-dutch jumping, you might need a yummy hand-held snack.  This one fits the bill -- and it's vegan and gluten-free, too!  A delicious way to build up your strength for some serious jump-time.  PBJ all the way. Jump in, jump out. Hey, hey, hey!

​You can find the recipe here, courtesy of Sarah Bakes Gluten Free.  I haven't tried these ones on my own yet, but they look quite delicious!  If you give them a try, leave a comment below and let us know  how you like them!

Guest Links and Giveaways

Kimberly's website

Twitter

Facebook

​Instagram

​Goodreads

Amazon links for Kimberly's books


Kimberly has offered 2 prizes for this episode of PBJamz, which will be available through 11:59 PM EST on Wednesday, July 6.  To be eligible for giveaways, leave a comment on this episode any time before then.  I will draw 2 random winners for a copy of (any one of) Kimberly's picture book, and a (separate winner for a) Zoom  session with her.
6 Comments

EMET'S BOX

6/8/2022

3 Comments

 
Angel Gantnier, you are the winner of a signed copy of ROCK STAR RECESS!
​
Nelly Nunez, you are the winner of a zoom session with Patrick and Emily!

Congratulations to BOTH of you!  Thanks so much to Patrick and Emily for joining me and sharing about ROCK STAR RECESS!  You both ROCK, too! :-). I'll connect you all and hope you enjoy your awesome prizes!


Starting this week, episodes of PBJamz will air in segments. This episode will begin Thursday, June 9 and will conclude Wednesday, June 22, which means you have 2 weeks to get your comments in and enjoy this episode before a new one airs! Stay tuned next week for tips for elementary teachers, and music teachers, writing prompts, and a yummy PBJ recipe!

Interview with Jeni Chen, author/illustrator of EMET'S BOX

This is a creative conversation you do NOT want to miss!  Not only is Jeni absolutely charming, but she is full of great information and beautiful insights about finding our spark! We talk art, music, writing, teaching, and more.  If you've lost your creative spark, if you're a music teacher, artist, art teacher, if you haven't yet found your "element" (Watch the video to see what I mean), this one is for you!  I'm pretty sure you'll be blessed!  Be sure to leave a comment to be eligible for Jeni's prizes (Yes, plural!  There are two prizes!  Check out the Giveaway section to see what Jeni is offering! :-))

 PB (Picture Book Tasting) EMET'S BOX

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What a lovely book!  Jeni helps us see the world through Emet's eyes -- at first full of color, zest, vibrance, and LIFE.  Then, as he loses touch with his artistic creativity, his world changes to grayscale -- literally and figuratively!  When his grandparents give him an art set, he 's reminded of how much he loves art, and rekindles the spark.  Once his world is full of color again, he's equipped to help others regain their own zest for life. It's a wonderful book for kids, but it's also a wonderful book for adults!  Whether your zest/element/passion is art, music, handcrafts, welding, travel, gardening or something totally different, my wish for you is that you find and maintain your connection to your creativity -- whatever that looks like.  This book will inspire you to do just that!

A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)
​Spark Your Imagination

A fun little movement song whose lyrics and movements inspire you to be creative and use your imagination.  Check out the YouTube playlist for more songs, activities, music, conversation, and art to light the spark in your classroom, your family, your home, your art studio, your music-making area . . . bring on the creativity, and then let it flow, and don't ever let it go!

Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics

This book is all about creativity, arts, and imagination!
I highly encourage you to watch the TedTalk that Jeni refers to and reflect on your own teaching practice.  I'm definitely looking at changing some things up to foster more creativity in my students in the coming years.
  • Integrate the arts 
    • music
    • visual art
    • drama
    • dance
  • Offer student choice as much as possible
  • Allow open-ended activities and out-of-the box problem-solving
  • Excellent article with tips for creativity
  • Another helpful article about fostering creativity
  • Here's an article for you, as teacher, to foster and develop your own creativity
  • There are lots more tips in the Pinterest board and in the YouTube playlist.  Access them in the links section below!

Tips and Topics for Music Teachers

This book presents the perfect time to do an arts mash-up to explore creativity on a whole new level.  In addition to the specific ideas in the YouTube playlist and Pinterest board, consider these ideas for using EMET'S BOX in the music classroom.
  • Since the girl in the book plays violin, it's a great time to listen to some beautiful violin music.  You could do a comparison between classical violin and Lindsay Stirling, or just focus on some of your favorite violin music.
  • To add another artistic/creative level, give students art supplies and allow them to create based on the music.  There are lots of ways to do this.  One of my favorites is to play a minute or so of music, giving students a black crayon to move it across the page with swirls and flourishes, crossing over, however the music moves them.  Then, continue to play music and allow them to color each section a different color or however the music sounds to them.  Check out the Pinterest board for other ways to blend art and music.
  • This book also creates a great space for allowing students to create in many other ways
    • Let them create their own scarf/ribbon/plate routine to a piece of music.  (I did this last year with the same  piece of music over 3 weeks.  You could extend it even longer if you wanted.  The first week, they explored and played around with different moves, but as they got more familiar with the music, their moves matched better and better.  By week 3, lots of them had really nice little scarf routines.
    • You could do the same thing with movement.  For younger kids, you could teach them 3-4 moves, but let them put them together however the music moves them.
    • For older, more advanced kids, they could create a movement sequence.  You could allow them to group themselves or you could group them and give each group a section to choreograph.  This would tie in beautifully with a study of form.
  • Another fun way to explore creativity is to sing songs in different ways/voices:
    • like a mermaid
    • like a grumpy old man/woman
    • like a chipmunk
    • etc. . . .
  • Composing is a natural expression of creativity.  In lower grades, using shapes, colored stickers, or musical notation if they're ready, allow them to create  their own measure.  Put the measures together to create a rhythmic song, or switch this up a bunch of ways: 4 measures, choose instruments, layer instruments, etc.
  • In older grades, with pitched instruments, let them use the note/fingerings they've learned to create their own melody.
  • A very simple way to integrate creativity with listening is just to allow them to listen to a piece of music without telling them anything about it and ask them what they visualized or to draw what it made them think about.
  • Take music outside if you have Ann area of concrete and use sidewalk chalk for self-expression.
  • Play a simple melody and let them create words to go along.
  • The idea is to allow students to be creative in ways you don't normally, to think outside the box.

Writing Prompts from Tonnye

  • Why did Emet's world turn to gray?
  • Why is creativity important?
  • What is your favorite color?  Why?
  • Would you rather sing or draw?  Why?
  • I wish I could _______________.  (what and why?)
  • How do you express yourself?
  • If you could go anywhere in your imagination, where would you go and why?
  • What is your favorite kind of music?  Why?
  • One time I built_____________. . . 
  • My imagination is _______________.
  • How could you mix art, dance, and music?
  • Are sports creative?  Why or why not?
  • What makes you, you?
  • If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?  Why?
  • If you had any super-power, what would it be?  How would you use it?
  • If you had a different name, what would it be?  Why would it fit you?
  • Create an imaginary friend and write about them.
  • Listen to a piece of music with no words.  Write a story to match.
  • Write a poem about creativity.
  • If my imagination had a name, it would be -__________ because _______. . . .
  • If you could play any instrument, what instrument would you play and why?

Author/Illustrator Tips from Jeni

Here are my top 3 tips for beginning author + illustrator
1. Learn the craft. 
After I had the idea for Emet’s Box, I took two picture book illustration classes at my local art school. I learned how to make dummy books and how page turns play an important part in the storytelling. Another thing I learned in my classes was the interplay between words and images. For example, the words can mean one thing and the pictures show a totally different thing. 
I also learned a lot about the craft of making picture books and about publishing by joining my local SCBWI. The support and encouragement of the people I met at my local SCBWI were invaluable.
2. Write down your ideas!
I wrote down the first draft of Emet’s Box at dawn, in the dark, on pieces of scrap papers. I didn’t work on the story until 2 years later. If I hadn’t written it down, I would’ve forgotten about it and it wouldn’t exist today as a published picture book. Another thing I learned from writing lots of proposals to artist calls is that people can feel it when your writing is coming from your heart. When it got tough and I almost gave up on Emet’s Box, I went back to my first draft and remembered why I wanted to tell the story in the first place. That initial inspiration helped me persevered and I think people can feel your heart in your story.
 3. Appreciate where you are now in your journey
I sent out a bunch of dummy books to publishers around the time the pandemic hit at the beginning of 2020. I hadn’t heard back for several months so I check the publishers’ websites and all of them said they stopped looking at submissions because of the pandemic. I remembered sitting at home, during lock down and appreciating the time I had to re-read all my favorite books and having my family with me.  It was a genuine feeling of satisfaction that stood out to me. Shortly after, Emet’s Box was picked up by my publisher The Little Press. 

​I believe that our feelings and emotions are energies that let us know if we are on the right track. When I am writing or drawing or just sitting on the sofa and if I feel that energy of love, inspiration, contentment, I know I am onto something.

Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!

I keep adding to Pinterest and YouTube, so feel free to save the boards and playlists or bookmark them to come back to later.

The Pinterest board is full of all sorts of creative activities -- art, music, a blend of the two, and more ways to cultivate and express your creative element. There are options for families, classrooms, music, and more!

The same is true for the YouTube playlist.  Choose whatever works for your situation, and enjoy diving into creativity -- again, or for the first time!

Here is the Ted talk that Jeni referenced in the interview.

PBJamz Snack --

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The ultimate creativity foray for PBJ lovers -- make it into a snack board!  Here's one version:  https://thebakermama.com/recipes/pbj-snack-board/
All credit to the Baker mama for this photo and this fabulous idea!  You can check out her other recipes at: thebakermama.com
But, in true creative, imaginative style, you can do this one any way you want to.  Put out a bowl of peanut butter, a few selections of jams/jellies with various breads, crackers, fruits, chocolate, veggies, pretzels, popcorn, etc. and let everyone get as creative as they dare with all the PBJ loveliness!  What creations will you make?  How about your kids?  No holds barred.  Let your creativity run wild and see what amazing combos and creations you love!

Guest Links and Giveaways

Website

Goodreads

​Twitter

​Link to EMET'S BOX on Amazon

Instagram

Facebook

Jeni has graciously offered 2 prizes for this episode (the giveaway will be open for 2 weeks.). To be eligible for one of the prizes, leave a comment below by 11:59 PM on Wed, June 22.  One winner will receive a digital art print that she will send to the winner via email.  Another winner will receive a 30 minute Zoom call with Jeni.  If a teacher, you may wish to have her do a virtual visit with your classroom to share EMET'S BOX and chat with your students . If you are an author and/or illustrator, you may choose to spend the time chatting with Jeni about publishing, writing, and making art.  She is charming and easy to talk to and I know you will enjoy your conversation as much as I did!  So, leave a comment, and let us know what you enjoy creatively!
3 Comments

ROCK STAR RECESS

6/2/2022

2 Comments

 
Jessica Hinrichs
Congratulations!  You are the winner of a copy of CLARINET & TRUMPET by Melanie Ellsworth!  Thanks so much for all of your support for PBJamz!  I know you'll enjoy the book!  Thank you Melanie for joining me on PBJamz and for your generosity!  I'll connect the two of you on Twitter to arrange for prize delivery!!!

Interview with Patrick Baggatta & Emily Mullock, ROCK STAR RECESS

Join us as we talk writing, music, illustration, teaching, teamwork and more!  I had a great conversation with Patrick Baggatta (author) and Emily Mullock (illustrator) of the book ROCK STAR recess, published by Union Street Kids. Join three precocious kids and their friends as they explore their rock star dreams over recess!  There's something in this conversation -- and this book, for everyone.  Keep reading below for writing tips and prompts, teaching ideas for regular classrooms and music classrooms, and even a perfect concert snack below!  Rock on!

PB (Picture Book Tasting)
​ROCK STAR RECESS

This book is a wide-open, colorful, rollicking story of  three precocious characters and a host of friends and how they tried to rock their dreams -- all at recess!  When the main character decides she's had enough "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", she freestyles an idea to make things a bit more colorful and energetic, but with all the distractions and things screaming for their attention, they might have forgotten the most important part of their dreams. Will they pull off their rock star status or will the lights fade to a twinkle?
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​A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)

This is a fun little rockin' version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.  There are more great music and videos in the YouTube playlist linked below in the Links section where you can choose your own favorite, share them with your favorite kids, integrate them into music lessons and more!

​Teacher Tips/Curriculum Tie-ins

There are quite a few ELA objectives that you could use this book to target:
  • Onomatopoeia
  • Dialogue
  • Drawing conclusions/inferences
    • "The Sensitive One"
    • "The Sensible One"

There are also some wider concepts that would be beautiful  to teach in a classroom setting:
  • The Power of Teamwork
  • Following Your Dreams
  • The importance of preparation

Tips and Topics for Music Teachers

Since the book focuses on "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", pairing lots of activities for Twinkle Twinkle is a great idea!  Check out the YouTube playlist and the Pinterest board for lots of specific ideas to enhance the book experience using Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, including:
  • singing
  • dancing
  • playing
    • Boomwhackers
    • recorders
    • piano
  • variations
  • rewriting lyrics
  • note-reading
  • history of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (very fascinating, BTW)
Also, as you can tell from the title, the book focuses on an elementary school "rock band", so this would also be a great time to introduce Rock as a musical genre.  There are lots of ways you could do this:
  • Create lessons based on individual rock stars: guitarists, vocalists, percussionists, etc.
  • Focus on specific rock bands
  • Trace the history of rock to its roots
  • Discuss and share examples of rock as a genre and its coordinating characteristics
  • Listen to rock  versions of kid songs (including Twinkle. . .)
It would be a good time to do a unit (or a lesson or two, depending on the age range) of creating variations.  There are lots of great variations on the melody of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star!  You could listen to a lot of different variations, talking about which musical elements were changed in each.  Did they change the tempo?  The rhythms?  The instrumentation? The pitches?  How can you recognize a "theme" amidst the variations?  Allow students to change something to create their own variation on Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

Writing Prompts/Author Tips

Writing Prompts from Tonnye:
  1. "How to Form a Rock Band"
  2. New lyrics for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
  3. In ROCK STAR RECESS, what was the most important thing they SHOULD have done first?
  4. Why was teamwork important in this story?
  5. "If I were a rock star. . . ."
  6. If I had a nickname, I would be known as "The ______One" because. . . 
  7. Write a list of qualities you think would be important for a rock star.  
  8. If you were in a rock band, what would the band's name be, and why?
  9. What is your favorite thing to do at recess? Why?
  10. If you were to follow your dream, what would you want to do?
  11. Write a story about playing your favorite kind of music at recess.

Tips from Emily and Patrick for writing and illustrating:
Author/Illustrator Tips:
  • Author Tip (Patrick): When no one else is around, read your story out loud. It will change your impression of it. Strive for rhythm, especially in a picture book.
  • Author Tip (Patrick): Introduce a clear mission very early on so you can devote your second act to your hero getting it mostly wrong (despite their best efforts). This is your character learning, and they will be better and more likeable for it.
  • Illustrator Tip (Emily): Character design is an amazing tool to show, rather than tell, about a character. Think about what traits (personality, profession, age, species etc.) you want to emphasize. Do multiple versions of a character to move past your most obvious ideas! 
  • Illustrator Tip (Emily): Coming from an animation background, I really appreciate some of the best practices used in that medium to ensure that character acting is strong. Stuff like making sure a character's silhouette is clear, and that there's a strong line of action in their posing are all great tools that can apply to picture book illustration as well.

Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!

YouTube Playlist full of amazing varied versions of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, classical music connections, and fun activities for young aspiring "rock stars"!

Pinterest board full of tons of rock star fun, teaching tips, music activities and so much more!  Check it out here!

The History of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star:​ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twinkle,_Twinkle,_Little_Star

​I'm including this link here because it is FULL of great resources for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, but please realize there is some misinformation, particularly  in her explanation of the meaning and alliteration.  (Alliteration is actually using the same beginning sounds in close proximity [Think of tongue twisters]. What I think the author was trying to refer to was similes -- figures of speech that compare unlike things using like or as. "like a diamond in the sky" is comparing the star with a diamond.). But she did amazing work putting together the resources, so do please go check this one out! 

A great summer project:
Go to a concert as a family.  Talk about the prep it must take and all of the people involved to make the concert happen.  *Can be any genre of music.  :-)

PBJamz Snack -- PBJ Popcorn

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What better snack for a rock star concert than a yummy popcorn?  Well, I found the perfect PBJamz version of this snack -- PBJ popcorn!  You can try out the  recipe here from Something Swanky!  Enjoy it at a concert, with a movie, or just for an afternoon or evening snack.  Let me know in the comments if you try it out! :-)

Guest Links and Giveaways

Emily and Patrick have graciously and generously offered two prizes!  Comment below for a chance to win:
a signed copy of ROCK STAR RECESS -or-
a Zoom session (classroom visit for a teacher or a publishing conversation with author or illustrator)

Social Media Info: 
  • Twitter: @EmilyMullock @pbaggatta77
  • Instagram: @rockstarrecess 
  • Website: www.friendsonthemoon.com

To purchase your very own copy of ROCK STAR RECESS

​Patrick began his writing career as an editor for popular magazines and websites such as Game Players, Next Generation, CNet, and PC Gamer. From there, he went on to write, edit, and contribute to multiple videogame narratives for Disney and other renowned publishers. Currently, Patrick and his creative partner are developing and writing scripts for original kids’ animation projects with major production studios. Rock Star Recess is his first children’s book, which is also in development as an animated special.
 
Emily has published two original children’s books called Go Away, Unicorn! and the sequel, Go Away, Unicorn! Doggone Magic, both of which are published by McKellar Martin and picked-up by Scholastic. Go Away, Unicorn! went on to become a TV series for Disney Channel. Emily also illustrated the children’s book Dude, published by Benjamin Brown Books. Emily has recently co-developed the story for Rock Star Recess. She is currently developing pitch bibles and co-writing scripts for original animated series in development with eOne, Nelvana, Wonderstorm, Toon2Tango, and Boat Rocker.
2 Comments

Articles for Music Teachers.

5/28/2022

0 Comments

 
I'll keep adding fabulous articles to this post as I find them, so feel free to bookmark it or subscribe for updates.

Articles about the Importance of Music Education

Edutopia article "How Music Primes the Brain for Learning"
​
0 Comments

Fiction as the Front Porch for Nonfiction

5/26/2022

1 Comment

 

Continuing the conversation with Melanie Ellsworth: PBJamz connections and concepts and fiction as the front porch for Non-fiction (per Lester Laminack)

Sometimes I have such rich discussions with my guests after I've already signed off for PBJamz, so with Melanie's permission, I wanted to share this bit of discussion after our official interview ended.  She and I talked about the dream for PBJamz and how it came about, the value of so many connections, and I share a bit about a presentation from Lester Laminack, NC author, professor, and excellent teacher, as he talked about using fiction as the front porch for non-fiction.  This isn't a full episode of PBJamz, but I thought you might find it valuable.  We'll extend Melanie's giveaway for one more week -- through 11:59 PM June 1.  Just leave a comment below to be entered into the drawing for a  signed copy of CLARINET AND TRUMPET.

And if you missed last week and want to know more about Melanie's books, inspirations and more, check it out here: https://melanieellsworth.com
Speaking of CLARINET AND TRUMPET, it's a fictional piece, but we could pair it with a number of non-fiction texts, depending up on the questions and curiosities of the students. (If you get a chance to hear Lester speak about using fiction as the front porch for non-fiction, please do! ). These are just my thoughts and application in terms of PBJamz, but there was so much more to his excellent presentation! To find out more about Lester's books, heart, and work, check out his website here:​ https://www.lesterlaminack.com 

Why is this important?

For teachers (music and regular classroom and any other kind of teacher) --I'd like to encourage you to create your own paired text sets --a few engaging fiction books on a topic you'd like to teach, and then a slew of various nonfiction texts where students can find the answers to the questions that are bound to crop up when they read/listen. BTW, texts includes magazine and newspaper articles, etc. -- not JUST books. . .and in a variety of levels.

For authors of PBs, be sure you are building in sufficient layers for your picture book to encourage questions in kids (and adults).  The more layers, the more questions, and the more potential answers. Also, back matter -- hello!  When you get the opportunity, you can build some of the answers right into your back matter -- even though it's a fiction book!

Teacher challenge:   Find a few of your favorite fiction books.  See what non-fiction topics are inherent in those books and begin building your own front porch set. :-). Fiction and NF on the same topics.

Author challenge:  Take a look at your fiction WIP -- do you reference any non-fiction topics in the book?  What questions might your book lead kids to?  Can you answer any of those in back matter?  Do you have enough layers to inspire some questions?


It's been a different sort of episode this week, but I hope you enjoy it anyway!  Next week, we have an amazing traditional episode coming up!  Don't miss it! We'll be talking to an author/illustrator team who got an agent together and publish together exclusively!  Every been to a rock concert at recess?  We're taking you there next week!  Join us again!

1 Comment

Melanie Ellsworth, CLARINET & TRUMPET, and more!

5/18/2022

10 Comments

 
Jany Campana, you are the lucky winner of a free download of "Travel Time" from Patrick Adams Books!   Thanks for reading, commenting and joining in!  I hope you enjoy the music and Patrick's other books as songs!

And Patrick, thank you for a great interview and a wonderful prize!  Y'all check out Patrick's interview from last week if you missed it, and below a great episode  with Melanie Ellsworth and her new book CLARINET & TRUMPET!

​Interview with Melanie Ellsworth, author of CLARINET & TRUMPET

​Join Melanie Ellsworth and me as we chat about her brand new book CLARINET AND TRUMPET, along with tons of writing tips, teaching tips, ideas for music teachers, inspiration, connections, and general chat about books, writing, teaching and more!

​PB (Picture Book Tasting) -- CLARINET & TRUMPET ​ by Melanie Ellsworth

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What a delightful book!  Part story, part music lesson, part musical instrument, part case study of friendship, with a full dose of wordplay, puns, and loads of fun!  This book has more layers than a pan of lasagna -- and it's just as cheesy (in a good way), and full of flavor!  The musical connections are (almost) endless, so be sure to share this post with a music teacher, and check out the teaching tips and the links for so many wonderful ways to use this book as a teaching tool in a music classroom (or a regular classroom or a homeschool environment or anywhere you have kids and a copy of this book together in one place.  I must admit to a certain fondness for this book, since I play trumpet and my husband plays clarinet :-).    Beautifully illustrated by John Herzog and published by Houghton Mifflin/Harcourt, it's a book worth shaking (literally) and reading time and again! Be sure to check it out (or request it) from your library, order yourself a copy, write a review, recommend it to a friend, buy it as a gift for a kid or a music teacher you know.

A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind) -- Friend Like Me (from Aladdin)

When I read this book, the friendship was one of the key elements.  Clarinet and Trumpet are the best of friends and they offer each other a special friendship.  They're pretty different, but they find a fab friendship in their differences.  It reminded me of this song.  Musically there is so much you can do with just this song - -whether you're in a music classroom, teaching preschool or doing a story time.  However, music teachers, do NOT miss the YouTube playlist in the links section because there are a TON of other ways you can use this book if you don't want to go this route!  The layers, I'm just sayin'!

Teacher Tips/Curriculum Tie-ins

There is so much to love in this book, and lots of jumping-off points for teachers!  
Topics:
Friendship
Music (specifically Instrument classification)
Functioning as a group
Recognizing likenesses and differences (Venn diagram possibility)

Teachable moments:
Onomatopoeia
Alliteration
Idioms and puns

This book is full of all three of those literary devices and you could easily pull out one or focus on all three in whatever way your students are ready for.

There is also lots of musical vocabulary, and there are quite a few compliments and insults hurled in the book.  If you piggyback that with the friendship theme, you could easily have them write compliments to other members of the classroom family. 

In SEL terms, not only is this a book about friendship, but also about jealousy and handling conflict, and being part of a group

Also, check out the resources page on Melanie's website for teacher resources: ​https://melanieellsworth.com/resources/  

Tips and Topics for Music Teachers

Full of musical vocabulary! (flute, crescendo, woodwind, brass, spit valve, bassoon, trumpet, clarinet, tubA, cleaning rag, oboe, trombone, saxophone,  band, etc.)

Distinguishing instruments (classifying according to type): specifically woodwind and brass  

Great opportunity to talk about the saxophone and how/why it was invented. (Music history)

The book itself has a rainstick embedded in its spine.  You could certainly have students create their own rainstick or have students take turns shaking the book, discuss how a book can be a story and a musical instrument (what other ways can books make music. . . link to found sound. . .

Lots of onomatopoeia -- especially musical ones! You could build a music lesson on that alone.

Be sure to check out the Pinterest board and the YouTube playlist in the links section, as there are LOTS more ways to use this book:
clarinet/trumpet duets
highlight woodwinds
highlight brass
​and much much more!

Writing Prompts/Author Tips

Writing Prompts from Tonnye:
  1. Write about a special friendship you've experienced.
  2. Write about a time you had a fight with a friend.  How did it end up? Why?  Is that how you wanted it to turn out?
  3. What makes a good friend?
  4. Why was Trumpet jealous when Oboe came along?  Have you ever been jealous?  Write about that.
  5. Write about a time when someone else cam between you and a friend.
  6. How did Saxophone bring the friends back together?
  7. If you had to choose between woodwinds and brass, which would you choose and why?
  8. Write about all the ways a book can be a musical instrument.
  9. Write a list of all the onomatopoeia you can think of. (Alt. -- choose one instrument; write a list of onomatopoeia words you could use when writing/talking about that instrument.)
  10. How might this book have ended differently if Saxophone hadn't shown up.
  11. Write a comparison of woodwinds and brass.
  12. Write a list of all the compliments you can think of for one of your friends.

Author tips from Melanie:

  • Become a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Check out all their wonderful resources. 
  • Read a ton of new books in the genre in which you’re writing. Hooray for libraries! Interlibrary loan is a beautiful thing.
  • Attend an SCBWI conference or a local writing conference – a great way to learn and to meet other writers, agents, and editors. Look for writing workshops offered by your library, too.
  • Join a writing critique group. SCBWI has resources to connect you to a local group or help you form your own group.
  • Follow your favorite authors’ and illustrators’ newsletters! I always have fun reading author Julie Falatko’s newsy newsletter.
  • Try a writing competition. The mentorship I won with author Beth Ferry through Tara Luebbe and Becky Cattie’s “Writing with the Stars” contest helped me polish my manuscripts and build confidence.
  • When your first book is coming out, join a debut group. You can help market each other’s books and support each other in all kinds of ways. My Soaring ’20s debut group has been an amazing resource and support system for me.
  • Most importantly, write, write, and write some more!
Also, check out Melanie's resources page for great sites for writers as well: https://melanieellsworth.com/resources/  (You can sign up for her newsletter there too!)


Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!



YouTube playlist has SO. MANY. COOL. RESOURCES.!!  

Pinterest board with lots of teaching activities.

Melanie's resources page!

PBJamz Snack -- PBJ Kabobs

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Here's a link over at Happiness is Homemade for a super-fun take on PBJ that's perfect for a group of friends -- little PBJ kabobs.  You could serve them at a party for friends or as an after school snack for a couple of best buds like Clarinet & Trumpet.

Guest Links and Giveaways

Melanie's website
Melanie's FB
Melanie's Instagram
Melanie's Twitter
Purchasing info for Melanie's books

John Herzog's website  
​


​Melanie has graciously agreed to donate a signed copy of CLARINET & TRUMPET to the chosen winner! To be eligible, comment on this blogpost by 11:59 PM on 5/25/22.  All commenters will be entered into a random drawing to determine the winner after midnight on 5/26/22.  Stay tuned to next week's post to find out the winner!
10 Comments

LISA GOES TO BRAZIL & Great Conversation with Patrick Adams!

5/11/2022

1 Comment

 
Jolene Gutierrez, You are the winner of a 30 -minute Zoom session with Annette Bay Pimentel!  I'll connect the two of you via email to make arrangements!  I hope you enjoy your zoom session with Annette as much as I did mine :-). Thanks for supporting PBJamz! :-)

And thanks, everyone for reading, listening, and watching!  Check out Patrick's giveaway for free music at the bottom of this post!

Interview with Patrick Adams of Patrick Adams Books, LLC & Kindie Rock Stars podcast!

Patrick is a multi-tasker who obviously likes to juggle (figuratively, anyway).  As an author, musician, and dad he creates content that he feels like will entertain and educate kids.  He also offers help for others navigating self-publishing, and has a few more plates in the air as well.  Check out the interview to learn more! And then, check out his podcast, books, and music!  His links are posted in the Guest links and giveaway section!

PB (Picture Book Tasting) -- LISA GOES TO BRAZIL

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A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind) "Travel Time" by Patrick Adams

Electro-beats!  Synths!  Lots of cool info about traveling and ways to travel!

Teacher Tips/Curriculum Tie-ins

Lots of social studies integration here:
  • Brazil
    • Geography (South America, waterfalls, maps, etc.)
    • Culture (food, music, art, etc.)
    • Celebrations (Carnival!!!!)
    • Landmarks (waterfalls, Christ the Redeemer statue, etc.)
    • Traditions (carnival, dance, music, food, etc.)
    • language (Portuguese)
Science:
  • Amazon Rainforest
  • Animals of Brazil
  • Climate/weather
Check the Pinterest board below and the YouTube playlist for more tips, specific lessons, printable, videos, and more!

Tips and Topics for Music Teachers

  • Carnival
  • Samba
  • Zumba
  • Brazilian music
  • Brazilian composers
There are some great videos in the YouTube playlist and more ideas on the Pinterest board as well.

Writing Prompts/Author Tips



Writing Prompts from Tonnye:

  1. ​Which part of Brazil do you most want to see?
  2. Write a story set in the Amazon rainforest.
  3. Write a story from a rainforest animal's perspective.
  4. Rewrite this story from Lisa's perspective.
  5. Draw the float you would create for Carnival.  Then write a paragraph describing it.
  6. Use your imagination and write about Lisa's background.  Where do you think she came from?  Does she have friends? Write her story.
  7. Write a paragraph describing Iguazu Falls. (You might have to look carefully at lots of photos and read what other people have written.
  8. Write a haiku about the Amazon rainforest.
  9. Write a story about 2 unlikely friends in the Amazon rainforest.


Writing/Songwriting Tips from Patrick:

Writing
- Know your audience for children's books.  It's pictures that are the draw (no pun intended!).  The text should be an appropriate complement based on the targeted age range.
- Use appropriate font for children's books.  I like ABeeZee and Comic Sans, but there are othergood ones.

Songwriting
- Don't overwrite - sometimes spacing can allow for the music to shine as well as the lyrics
- Catchy, memorable choruses are a great feature for children's songs.  I tend to think of the chorus first as I'm writing a song.

Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!

Pinterest Board with lots of tips for teaching about Brazil: geography, culture (including music), and more!

YouTube playlist with Brazilian music and dance (Samba, Carnival, etc.), fact videos about Brazil:  animals, culture, geography, etc., and more!
​

PBJamz Snack -- Paçoca (Brazilian Peanut Candy)

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OK, I'm fudging just a little here (Pun intended ;-). There's no jelly in this one.  But I wanted to be true to the culture we are exploring today, and this is a traditional Brazilian candy made from peanuts.  I haven't tried this one yet, but I'm quite sure my husband will be ready as soon as we carve out just a bit of time.  If you make it before me, shoot me a line below and let me know how it went!  It sounds really yummy!  Here's the recipe if you want to give it a try.

Guest Links and Giveaways

Website

YouTube

Twitter

Facebook


Patrick is giving away a free download of his brand new single "Travel Time" which would be great for a classroom teacher, a music teacher, a homeschool teacher, or a family.  If you'd like to be entered in the drawing, just comment below!  
1 Comment

BEFORE MUSIC

4/30/2022

5 Comments

 
Huge congratulations to our winners from last week's episode!! Thanks so much to both of you for tuning in and stopping by to share your thoughts!

Laura Roettiger, You are the winner of the jump drive from Annie Lynn!  I know your third grade students will enjoy the music -- and I hope you'll share Annie's expertise and wonderful music with the teachers you're connected with as well!

Jany Campana, You are the winner of your choice from Jolene Gutierrez -- a zoom call, a copy of MAC AND CHEESE AND THE PERSONAL SPACE INVADER, or a PB Critique of a mss (less than 800 words). 

I'll pass. your emails along to Jolene and Annie for prize distribution :-). Congratulations!

Video interview with Annette Pimentel, author of BEFORE MUSIC

Join Annette and me as we talk music, inspiration, layers, writing nonfiction picture books, instrument classification systems, the importance of Arts in the schools, and much, much more.

PB (Picture Book Tasting) -- BEFORE MUSIC

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This is a longer NF picture book, with a running lyrical text throughout the book to provide some structure, and that younger kids will absolutely enjoy as a read aloud.  But there are amazing sections throughout the book that highlight various ways of classifying instruments (organology), craft pages that show you how to create your own hand-made instrument, pages that introduce innovators in music, and 

A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)

There are lots of other great jams on the YouTube playlist here This one is a fun one involving movement and several different types of instruments.   Not only can you dance and move, you could classify these instruments in some different ways, sing along, practice spelling these instruments, practice syllabication, make up their own moves, add in more instruments , etc.  Have fun boogying with this one and check out the playlist for more jamz!

Teacher Tips/Curriculum Tie-ins

Since this book runs to the upper end of picture book range: 2nd - 5th grades, you can use it in multitudinous ways to support instruction for those grade levels:
  • Timelines (Integrating math and social studies)
  • History of music (integrating social studies)
  • Geography (integrating social studies)
  • Features of text (ELA)
  • For math integration, you can use the timeline to solve story problems, etc.
  • Science integration -- science of sound/classification of instruments in various ways
It is also useful for the younger set.  I would recommend a read-aloud of the lyrical text, and using the other resources in the book as the situation allows.
  • Read aloud
  • Instrument crafts
  • Found music
  • Recycling (use "trash" to create a musical instrument) (STEAM activity!!)
  • Onomatopoeia (poems, sound hunt, phonemic awareness)
  • You could also begin to introduce some of the heavier topics above -- features of text, geography,  historical highlights, and timelines (just not in  as much detail and as high a level as with the older set.)
Both younger and older sets might enjoy
  • sound or music scavenger hunts
  • lots of vocabulary enrichment (instrument names, classification, etc.)
  • Verb study (both in the lyrical text and the classification -- struck, plucked, rubbed); older students could get into tense changes -- regular and irregular verbs, etc.
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Tips and Topics for Music Teachers
​

Oh, my goodness, this book is your oyster.  There is so much, so many different directions you could go with this book!  I'm throwing out some options, but there are more. Many more.
  • Music history (instruments)
  • Found instruments
  • Tie-in with found music ensembles like STOMP (see YouTube playlist for lots of examples
  • Onomatopoeia 
  • Various musical classifications -- choose one or compare a couple (Material, vibration, how played, etc)
  • Music Around the World
  • Make-Your-Own instruments (Tie in with recycling for Earth Day, etc.)
  • Choose accompanying sounds for the read aloud 
  • How instruments are made
  • Science of sound
  • Musical innovators

Writing Prompts/Author Tips

  • Write about a favorite instrument.
  • Write about an instrument made of something unusual.
  • If I could play any instrument, I would play ______ because. . . . 
  • The most interesting instrument is _______ because. . . .
  • Music in My Life
  • One time I found a ________.  It made music . . . . 
  • I can't imagine my life without music because. . . /Write about the impact of music on your life.
  • Write about the different natural resources mentioned in the book and how they are used to create music.

Annette's Writing Tips for Authors:
  1. Read deeply in the genre you want to write. My goal is to read every nonfiction picture book published each year. Of course I don’t come close to meeting that goal, but it spurs me to regularly order new books (usually from my library). Besides all the pleasure I get from this reading, it is a mini-master class, prompting me to analyze what works and what doesn’t. Incidentally, I soak up information about what publishers are looking for.
  2. Embrace the non-linear nature of the writing process. I think of the elements of the writing process as orderly: brainstorm, research, draft, revise. But the truth is much messier. Drafting often sends me back to brainstorming; revising often sends me back to researching to fill in holes; sometimes my initial brainstorming includes polished phrases or sentences that end up in the final manuscript. I remind myself not to be discouraged when I have to trudge back to the library after the fifth revision. That’s just the nature of writing.
  3. Time is a tool. Letting ideas percolate and manuscripts sit can give you helpful new insights. Before Music started as rhyming stanzas I scribbled during a flight. I loved the stanzas, but they seemed too slight for a book. They sat waiting on my computer for 5 years before I realized what I should make them into. School has forced conclusions—end of the quarter! End of the year! Grades due!—but your writing life doesn’t have to have artificial finish lines.
  4. .Savor and celebrate. No matter what you accomplish, you will be able to see something else you’d like to accomplish. It’s helpful to have a vision of what you’re working toward, but remember to notice the pleasures of getting there. Savor whatever it is you love about writing, and find writing friends who will celebrate the small moments with you.

Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!

YouTube playlist -- clips from STOMP, songs about music and musical instruments, demonstrations of various ancient and modern instruments, etc.

​Pinterest board  -- Lots of music crafts, ancient instruments and more!

PBJamz Snack -- PB&J Poke Cake

A little retro dessert treat seems a perfect accompaniment to a book entitled BEFORE MUSIC!  This one brings together some of our favorite things: moist, delicious cake with peanut butter filling, jelly filling, and a scrumptious peanut frosting for the top.  It's even topped with crunchy crushed peanuts for extra texture and flavor.  You can't go wrong with this PBJ dessert any time!  Find the recipe here! 
Here are the photos of my attempt.  This one was gluten free (made with a GF yellow cake mix.  Rather than make an extra frosting , I just swirled the rest of the peanut butter and jelly over the top.  It was delicious!  I used homemade plum jelly that I had on hand, too.  It was yummy and didn't need the frosting, but we do plan to try it again with the frosting.
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Guest Links and Giveaways

Annette's info:
​Twitter

Website

​Annette is giving away a 30 minute Zoom call!  Teachers, homeschool parents, etc. may choose to use the zoom call for an author visit, or authors may choose to use the 30 minutes to chat about books, publishing, etc.

To be eligible, simply leave a comment below on this blog post, and thanks so much for stopping by!
5 Comments

MAC & CHEESE & THE PERSONAL SPACE INVADER

4/26/2022

4 Comments

 
K Yin, congratulations!!!  You were winner #1!!!  You have won a copy of FIRST NOTES OF SPRING by Jessica Kulekjian!!
Gennie Gorback, congratulations!!! You were winner #2!!! You have won a copy of A HOME NAMED WALTER
Thanks again to Tara Trudel for the generous prizes and a fabulous interview!

Video interview with Annie Lynn and Jolene Gutierrez

I hope you'll join us for a conversation that encompasses so much -- music, guinea pigs, SEL, teaching, writing songs, singing, integration, the power of the arts, and other stuff, too ;-).  These two ladies have become more than writing colleagues, and Kidlit pals.  They have become friends. Come hang with us for a while.  You might learn something new, or you might not, but you're bound to have fun!  We sure did!

​PB (Picture Book Tasting)
​MAC & CHEESE & THE PERSONAL SPACE INVADER

Mac and Cheese are delightful secondary characters that are sure to steal your heart, as they did Oliver's!  He wants to learn to be a good friend, and who better to serve as models than Mac and Cheese!  They're BFFs for sure!  Unfortunately, when Oliver applies his scientific observations on the friendship of guinea pigs to his own budding friendships, things don't go quite so well.  A book of friendship, being an action scientist, SEL strategies, honoring personal space, and more!  There's a bit of Spanish, a lot of guinea pig love, and a lesson to learn with a hula hoop!   Check out the teaching tips below and the links section for so many amazing ways to use this book in the classroom, the music classroom, your family read-aloud time, or your homeschool.
​
MAC AND CHEESE AND THE PERSONAL SPACE INVADER 
written by Jolene Gutierrez
illustrated by Heather Bell
published by Spork publishing
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A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)
Space Creator (an SEL song)

Using bubbles to create space, being a friend, what it means to have, honor, and maintain personal space!  This song is full of great tips, fun motions, call and response which makes it easy for kids to join in right away so they can learn and internalize what it means to be a "Space Creator"!

Teacher Tips/Curriculum Tie-ins

  • Jolene has a great teaching guide and other resources for teachers here!
  • Integrate SEL -- Personal space/friendship strategies
  • Friendship unit
  • Integrate Science -- Guinea pigs 
    • Life cycle
    • Pet care
    • Classification
    • Bring in guinea pigs for observation (if allowed by your district)
      • Compare and contrast with Mac and Cheese 
        • Venn diagram
        • 2-column chart
        • writing activity
  • Integrate Science -- Scientific observation/notetaking
  • Integrate PE 
    • Hula hoop activities

Tips and Topics for Music Teachers

  • Use the song "Be a Space Creator" (linked above).  
    • Sing along
    • Add movements
    • Add instruments
  • Other personal space songs (see the YouTube playlist in the links section)
  • Friendship songs (see the YouTube playlist)
  • Guinea pig songs
  • Hula Hoop songs/acitivites (see the YouTube playlist)

Writing Prompts/Author Tips

Writing Prompts from Tonnye:
  1. How to Be a Friend
  2. Why is personal space important?
  3. (non-fiction) Guinea Pigs
  4. If you could rename Mac and Cheese, what would you call them and why?
  5. Would you be friends with Oliver?  Why or why not?
  6. How to Hula Hoop
  7. Write about a special friend.
  8. Write about a time you had difficulty with friendship
  9. Write about a time you didn't honor personal space or someone didn't honor yours.
  10. Write about why you think the hula hoop helps with personal space.
  11. Title:  THE GREAT HULA HOOP MISADVENTURE
  12. Title:  THE CLASS PETS

Writing Prompts from Jolene:
  1. ·      Write about a friendship mistake you’ve made.
  2. ·      “How to” be a good friend.
  3. ·      “How to” practice respect for others’ personal space.
  4. ·      If you have access to animals, observe them. How is their personal space bubble different or the same to yours?
  5. ·      Write about a time when a teacher gave you advice.
  6. ·      Write about your favorite animal.
  7. ·      Create your own Spanish dictionary with words from the book or other words you know.
  8. ·      Write a letter to Oliver or to Mac and Cheese.
  9. ·      Create a recipe for a snack that Mac and Cheese would like.
  10. ·      Write your own personal space song.

Writing Advice from Jolene for those of us trying to get published:
Immerse yourself in books! Visit your favorite independent bookstore or go to your library and find recent books in the genres you write. I read these books to myself, I read them aloud to kids, and I type up the text of my favorite mentor books to get a feel for rhythm, language, and page turns.
 
Immerse yourself in the KidLit community! The KidLit community is active in a variety of places across social media, around the Internet, and locally, if you’re lucky. Look for critique groups, join SCBWI, find KidLit contests, etc. These are all amazing ways to connect, learn, and grow!
 
Give yourself grace. The world is tough enough, so don’t be tough on yourself. You may not be able to write every day. That’s OK. You’re a rockstar for following your dreams!
 
Reject the idea of writer’s block. If you feel stuck in your writing, consider trying to write a different genre, level, or topic. Or do other work, like creating your author website, researching a new idea, or critiquing someone else’s writing.

Songwriting Advice from AnnieLynn:
Annie asked me to repost Tara's excellent songwriting tips, and states that she totally concurs with Tara's suggestions.  Annie shares a couple of addendums at the bottom of Tara's tips:

A Simple 6 Step Songwriting Method from Tara Trudel:

1. Find the Hook - I like to start with a title. Song titles can create a strong feeling, express an opinion, establish a time/place/memory, or just be fun to say. A great title immediately gives your song a topic and a short, punchy lyrical phrase to build your chorus around. 

2. Brainstorm - Once I choose a title, I create a word bank where I write a list of words or short phrases related to my title. When I have a lot of options, I go back through this list and look for possible rhymes to play with in the lyrics. 

3. Write the Chorus - A simple chorus can be really effective. Repetition is a powerful songwriting tool, especially in the chorus. (Just think about how many times you've had "We Don't Talk About Bruno, no no no/We Don't Talk About Bruno" stuck in your head!) 

4. Keep the Verses Consistent - If you're new to songwriting, it's best to write verses in groups of four lines. Verses typically have the same rhyme scheme and a similar line length in each repetition. 

5. Break It Up With The Bridge - The bridge is a section where you can switch up your rhyme scheme and melody and experiment with something new. This shift in the lyrics and melody helps drive the song home to its final chorus. 

6. Collaborate - Songwriting is often a collaborative art form. If you don't have a music background, you can always work with a musician to set your lyrics to music. I've also had a lot of success following the above formula to write group songs with students in the classroom. ​


Addendums by Annie Lynn:


3. Write the Chorus - A simple chorus can be really effective. Repetition is a powerful songwriting tool, especially in the chorus. (Just think about how many times you've had "We Don't Talk About Bruno, no no no/We Don't Talk About Bruno" stuck in your head!) Annie adds: The chorus is also a great place to put the takeaway message since it is repeated often. 4. Keep the Verses Consistent - If you're new to songwriting, it's best to write verses in groups of four lines. Verses typically have the same rhyme scheme and a similar line length in each repetition. Annie adds: I recently found that writing verses for non-fiction requires a minimum of 8 lines (probably for 2nd grade & up). I ran into the same problem that NF writers have…too much “important” info is “needed” to tell the story! Is there such a thing as Musical Back Matter? Actually yes….and Front Matter too. I like to encourage Students to write a spoken dialogue in the beginning of the song, to set up the scene & use any info still needed that didn’t make it into the musical part of the song. This can also be done at the end of the song. This is where humor works great. A funny parting line will all but ensure that they remember the song and its contents. Sometimes this process leads to writing a mini musical. There are kids who would love to take that concept and work on it with other Student collaborators (I was one of them as a kid) including writers & artists that enjoy set design and costume making. You’ve got magic to make! You can do it!


Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!

YouTube playlist with songs and activities related to MAC AND CHEESE AND THE PERSONAL SPACE INVADER (Hula hoop songs/activities, Personal space songs, guinea pig music,  and friendship songs!)

Pinterest board full of more activities to teach, practice, and apply friendship strategies, personal space, guinea pigs, hula hoops and more!

Jolene's teaching guide/teacher resources

PBJamz Snack -- Peanut Butter & Jelly Granola Bars (Make ahead for a perfect school morning breakfast!)

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If you're heading off to school like Oliver, you need a delicious and nutritious breakfast.  These healthy granola bars fit the bill perfectly!   Make a batch ahead so they are ready to grab on the way out the door or pack up for a healthy snack in your little's lunch box. Better yet, make it a weekend cooking activity WITH your littles and then breakfast is done for the week, you've spent quality time, instilled a love of being in the kitchen and cooking healthy food, AND taught a bunch of skills in context (like measuring, small & large motor skills, mixing, pouring, etc. Oh, and vocabulary too! ;-). Way to multi-task!  You rock at this parenting thing! 
Recipe 

Guest Links and Giveaways

Annie Lynn's links/info:
Twitter
YouTube
Website
Instagram
Jolene's links/info:
​Twitter
Instagram
Website
Facebook
YouTube
​
TWO Awesome Giveaways! TWO Lucky Winners!
To be eligible, comment below on this blog post.  Winners will be drawn at random from comments.  Please indicate in your comment if you are a teacher/homeschool teacher to be entered in Annie's giveaway.

From Jolene:  Your choice of
a copy of MAC & CHEESE & THE PERSONAL SPACE INVADER or
a PB manuscript critique (less than 800 words)
or
Zoom call (class visit for a teacher or publishing chat with author)

From Annie Lynn:  A jump drive with Space Creator song and lots of other amazing kids' songs that are perfect for use in the classroom or your homeschool!
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Tara Trudel Talks Books, Music, and Walter

4/20/2022

20 Comments

 
Huge congratulations to Janet Smith!  You have won a copy of HERE WE COME! from last week's episode of PBJamz!  It's a lovely book, and we know you will enjoy it very much!  Thanks for tuning in for PBJamz and sharing the great things happening here!

Video interview with Tara Trudel

 I enjoyed chatting with Tara very much! She is not only a wonderful songwriter who's done work on a variety of music projects, but she's also an author in her own right. And, she taught music as well, so she has a wealth of information to offer!  If you're not following her on social media, check out all of her links at the bottom of this post!

PB (Picture Book Tasting)

Walter is a lovely home and enjoys his family.  When they move out, Walter's heart is broken and he shuts his doors on family and love and living.  When a new family moves in, Walter has to decide if he will allow them to move into his heart or if he will encourage them to move on elsewhere.   My husband and I live in an old Victorian farmhouse, built in 1882, and I'm sure our home felt a little forlorn as she was relegated to office space and then slated to be torn down if no one bought her to move.  Thankfully, we fell in love with her, moved her out to my dad's farm and have been fixing her quirks for 30 years this November. I'm thankful Walter found someone to love him too! Don't miss this beautiful book by Chelsea Lin Wallace, illustrated by Ginnie Hsu, and published by McMillan Publishers.
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A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)

And then there was a song. . . named Walter. . .written by Tara Trudel.  Such a sweet anthem to go along with a very sweet book.  The two together are a perfect pair whether you teach in a regular classroom, a music classroom, a daycare setting, or a homeschool.  This book and song are also perfect to share at home to talk about all the things that make your home and family special.  Keep reading below for so many tips and ways to use WALTER (the book and the song) to get kids excited and learning about their homes and others.

​Teacher Tips/Curriculum Tie-ins

WALTER is full of great topics and tie-ins for teachers.  Check these out, and if you have other ways you're using it, please comment below.  Share the knowledge and share the love!
  • What makes a house a home? (great tie-in for BOY as students and teachers are getting to know each other.  Writing/discussion about each others' homes and families)
  • Different kinds of houses/homes (wonderful social studies tie-in to talk about different types of houses/homes around the world.)
  • Feelings/Emotions (excellent SEL tie-in) Talk about how to deal with feelings 
    • role-playing
    • collaborate with school counselor
    • integrate meditation
    • Emojis!
    • Emotional check-in in the mornings 
  • Mapping/reading maps -- have students create a map of their home after looking at lots of examples.  (social studies tie-in with map reading, compass rose, etc.)
  • STEM/STEAM activities -- building a house using various materials: popsicle sticks, cards, etc.
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​Tips and Topics for Music Teachers

There are a couple of options for music teachers wanting to use this book in the music classroom.  
  • One direction you could take is to focus on our personal homes and families.  There are lots of songs about houses/homes and families that you could use to integrate.  (Taras song above would work beautifully with this approach!)
  • Another direction you could take is to take a global approach and talk about homes and families around the world and the different kinds of houses people live in.
  • Thirdly, you could use videos like House of Sound and Melody Street and approach it from a musical house point-of-view.  Talk about families of instruments.
  • Another musical approach is a song in the YouTube playlist that focuses on the elements of music.  So you could build a lesson using that.
  • A different direction you might choose (and another direction where Tara's song is a perfect fit) is to go in an SEL direction and use Walter and the song as a jumping off point for discussing and singing about feelings and emotions.
  • Still another way you could integrate this into a musical classroom is to use the book and Tara's song as a discussion of songwriting, in conjunction with her songwriting tips below (and maybe another book/song combo or two from her collection). Have students choose a favorite book and try to write a song based on their favorite book.
  • Check out the YouTube playlist for songs/activities to get you started -- or the Pinterest board.

Writing Prompts/Author Tips

Writing Prompts:
1.  My Dream House
2. If I Built a House. . . 
3.  What Makes a House a Home
4.  A Time When I was ____________ (Choose an emotion)
5.  A Time when I moved/had to try something new
6. I think the song named Walter and the house named Walter match or don't match well because. . . .
7.My Favorite Thing to do in my house. . .
8.  If I had to leave the place I live now, I would really miss ________ because. . . . 

Songwriting Tips from Tara:
A Simple 6 Step Songwriting Method:

1. Find the Hook - I like to start with a title. Song titles can create a strong feeling, express an opinion, establish a time/place/memory, or just be fun to say. A great title immediately gives your song a topic and a short, punchy lyrical phrase to build your chorus around. 

2. Brainstorm - Once I choose a title, I create a word bank where I write a list of words or short phrases related to my title. When I have a lot of options, I go back through this list and look for possible rhymes to play with in the lyrics. 

3. Write the Chorus - A simple chorus can be really effective. Repetition is a powerful songwriting tool, especially in the chorus. (Just think about how many times you've had "We Don't Talk About Bruno, no no no/We Don't Talk About Bruno" stuck in your head!) 

4. Keep the Verses Consistent - If you're new to songwriting, it's best to write verses in groups of four lines. Verses typically have the same rhyme scheme and a similar line length in each repetition. 

5. Break It Up With The Bridge - The bridge is a section where you can switch up your rhyme scheme and melody and experiment with something new. This shift in the lyrics and melody helps drive the song home to its final chorus. 

6. Collaborate - Songwriting is often a collaborative art form. If you don't have a music background, you can always work with a musician to set your lyrics to music. I've also had a lot of success following the above formula to write group songs with students in the classroom. ​

Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!

  • YouTube playlist with tons of great songs and activities
    • **disclaimer Please check each component you put into your lessons to be sure it is appropriate for your age level and context.  Some songs may be faith-based and perhaps not appropriate for public school setting.  There is a wide range of ages/stages and purposes represented in each playlist. I've collected them here for your ease, but please preview and pull items that you think are best-suited for your classroom and purposes.
  • A Pinterest board with lots of ideas and links!

PBJamz Snack (PBJ Waffles!)

Waffles are one of my specialties. Today, I'm sharing with you more of a technique than a recipe.  Get your favorite waffle mix -- whatever kind you like.  Mix up a batch of waffles per the directions.  Now, swirl in a generous amount of peanut butter.  Then dollop a few patches of your favorite jam/jelly.  With a butter knife or narrow spatula, swirl the peanut butter and jam/jelly  throughout your waffle batter.  Then cook in your waffle iron according to the directions.  Even if you like frozen waffles, you can smear them with peanut butter and spoon on a dollop of jam/jelly.  Spread or swirl and enjoy with or without syrup!  

If you want to make your PBJ waffles extra special, mix some of the same jam/jelly with pancake syrup in a small pot.  Simmer, stirring until the two are blended and serve over hot waffles.  For some beautiful plating, add a dollop of peanut butter and a few crushed peanuts on top before pouring the syrup mixture.  You could even add a fresh strawberry, blueberry or apple slice, etc. -- to match the flavor of your jam/jelly.

​Dig in and enjoy!  I did!  And they were delicious!
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​Guest Links and Giveaways

Tara Trudel:
​Twitter
​Website
SoundCloud
IMDb


GIVEAWAY INFO:
Tara has graciously offered 2 books.  The first winner chosen will receive a copy of FIRST NOTES OF SPRING & the second winner will win a copy of A HOME Named Walter .  To be entered into the drawing, comment below by 11:59 PM on Wednesday, April 27!  All commenters will be entered into a random drawing to receive one of these lovely picture books!
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