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

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

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!

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!

​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!

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.

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'!

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/  

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!

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

Pinterest board with lots of teaching activities.

Melanie's resources page!

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.

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!

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!

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

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!

• 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.

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!
​

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.