This book is perfect for second grade.  It highlights a lot of second grade content (change over time, timelines, similes. . . ). It's a bit of a longer read-aloud.  If you choose to read it to younger kids (preschool-first grade), I would definitely preview, highlight some sections to share, and shorten the read aloud.  You can also make it a more interactive read-aloud by having the students sing along with the song(s) as they are mentioned. Second -fourth graders will gain a lot from the book, and there are many hooks that will tie in beautifully to your lessons. (See the teacher tips section for specific ideas.). If you have other ways you have used this book in your classroom or discussions with your own children, please comment below, so we can all learn and grow together. 

This is a nice orchestral version without words.  For music teachers, you could have students identify instruments, tap out tempo, etc.  For classroom teachers and families, you could use this to sing along your own happy birthday song. 

Topics of Interest:
Timelines (math connection; also author ties in with trains in the back matter)
Origins of Kindergarten (German tie-ins and Kentucky tie-ins)
Using music to teach new concept/new content
Similes (Used throughout the book!). Simile search/write your own simile/simile poems
"Eureka" vocabulary word youtu.be/-jTNMzIArJY
​Change over time (social studies connections)

​**Check out the links section for more connections!

Topics/Activities:
Importance of copyright/ problems with piracy/giving credit where due
Variations on a theme (Happy Birthday song in the style of various composers.)
Changing lyrics as a form of variations (sisters sang many different lyrics to Happy Birthday tune.  Have students create further variations of lyrics.)
For younger kids, even the concept that every song was created by someone.
​
*Check out the YouTube and Pinterest links in the links section for more connections.

​

Writing Prompts:
1.  Write new lyrics to happy birthday tune
2.  "Grow a song in a garden?"  What's something else unusual you might grow in a garden?  Write about it.
3.  Write a simile poem homeschoolgiveaways.com/2016/10/free-printable-simile-poetry-worksheet/
4. Title:  Teachers Change the World
5.  Title:  The Power of a Song

Author Tips:
1.   Brainstorm a list of favorite birthday memories.  Choose one and develop it into a Picture book idea!
2.  Write from the perspective of a birthday cake, or a birthday balloon.
3.  Write about a birthday gone wrong.
​4.  Write about an untraditional birthday celebration.

YouTube Birthday Celebration songs playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8LDDelelmHkxNGiQNwyyczOpwswLUoc0 

YouTube Music Teachers Birthday Mix (Boomwhackers, recorders, freeze dance, Happy Birthday variations, etc.)  youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8LDDelelmHlx4Q1JeZmGGSDVshNCSzRK

Pinterest board with more birthday extensions:  https://www.pinterest.com/tonnyef/pbjamz/birthday-jamorama/​

You can find the recipe for these delicious PBJ cupcakes here: ​https://kellystilwell.com/peanut-butter-and-jelly-cupcakes/  They are really delicious!  They were a big hit with my family this week! The recipe is not overly difficult and turned out just right!  Next time you have a PBJ-lover with a birthday, give these a try!  Or, you know, just make them for fun! :-)  The recipe called for raspberry jam/jelly, and that 's what I used, but you could easily substitute your favorite jelly flavor.

Note:  I made these gluten free (except for the Nutter Butter garnish).  The ones with the raspberry garnish are completely gluten free.  I used King Arthur GF flour.  Everything else was the same.  For added garnish, I added a little water to the jelly and drizzled it. I crushed peanuts for added visual interest too.  

1.  Annie Lynn is giving away 2 free thumb drives full of amazing music.  Free to two teachers who comment below with a favorite birthday memory or a tip for teachers for celebrating birthdays in the classroom.   Please be sure to put in your comment you'd like to win the thumb drives of music! 
Follow Annie and find her products here:
annielynn.net
https://twitter.com/AnnieLynn215 

2.  Allison Strick -- Please check out Allison's links and follow her! Allison created the superfun PBJamz logo!
inktr.ee/ByAllisonStrick
https://twitter.com/byallisonstrick

3. Molly Ippolito -- Teachers, be sure to check out the video for a special thank-you offer from Molly! Everyone, please follow Molly and her teacher resource store  The Sunny Side!  Molly created the free birthday resource that you can access below! 
https://mollyippolitowrites429922845.wordpress.com 
twitter.com/MollyIppolito 


4.  Tonnye Fletcher -- I'm giving away 2 cool prizes!
a- a PB (picture book) critique for a manuscript of 500 words or less (non-rhyming please).  To be eligible to win, comment below about a favorite birthday memory OR a fun  birthday tip for parents or teachers to use for birthday celebrations.  Please put in your comment that you are an author or are hoping for the PB critique so I can put you in the proper giveaway.
b- a (used) copy of HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU by Margot Theis Raven This prize is available for anyone who comments below.  If this is the prize you would prefer, please note that in your comment, along with a favorite birthday memory or a favorite birthday tip for parents, teachers, music teachers, or writers!

Random drawings will be held for each prize based on your preference and eligibility.  Winners will be announced NEXT Thursday on the blog.  Comments are accepted for giveaway purposes through midnight Wednesday, March 2, 2022.

Thanks so much for joining us for the PBJamz Birthday Jamorama!  As a thank you, Molly Ippolito created this amazing birthday resource!  It's perfect for families and for teachers to celebrate special birthdays in style.  You can use it for a birthday wall or bulletin board, have your children/students use the graphic organizer to celebrate their special day, How will you use it?  Comment below and please follow Molly and check out her products here:

PBJamz is on its way!  What started as a dream a couple of years ago is slowly but surely manifesting itself in tangible and positive ways.  But, with all dreams, it takes a lot of hard work and it takes other people believing in your dream!  I am honored and so thankful to share today the logo illustration winner for the PBJamz multimedia Jamorama! It's designed to be a fun show/blog/social media explosion celebrating the connections between music and picture books in all its forms.  My hope is to provide lots of content that will be beneficial to authors who wish to integrate musical themes into their picture books, to readers who are looking for excellent picture books with musical content, live performances of music relative to kidlit, tips for classroom teachers and music teachers to use these musical gems with their students.  For parents, I hope it will be a place you can come to find great picture book recommendations with musical themes or elements.  My dream is to build a connected community around these things that I love so very much: reading, writing, teaching, and music.  However you fit into that collective, welcome to PBJamz!  The fun starts on Feb. 24.  So stay tuned, get your PBJ snacks ready to come jam with us!  Each Thursday, a yummy PBJamz snack will hit this space -- book review, video, read aloud, interviews, teacher tips, and more!

So, without further ado, here is the winner for the PBJamz logo illustration contest:

The winning illustration is by Allison Strick!  Congratulations to Allison!  She is the winner of a $50.00 Amazon gift card! 

I love how Allison's use of color and musical elements light up the screen!  There is the joie de vive I was hoping for, and you absolutely cannot go wrong with Strawberry and Grape jamming with Mr.  Peanut, center stage. And speaking of stage -- this stage, appropriately is made up of picture books!  I'm honored to make Allison's beautiful fun jammin' artwork the official logo for PBJamz, and I hope you'll find some amazing ways to support her talent too!

Here's where you can find out more about her:
https://www.allisonstrick.com/about.html, 
view her portfolio:
https://www.allisonstrick.com/portfolio.html
or commission her to do a beautiful piece of artwork for you!
https://www.allisonstrick.com/commissions.html

You can also follow her on social media to see the amazing drawing (and writing) that she's participating in!  PBJamz is not her first win, and I'm pretty sure it won't be her last!

Congratulations, Allison, and thanks for your beautiful work!

Y'all come back Thursday, Feb. 24 for my birthday jammin' celebration and the start in earnest of #PBJamz!