Jeanette Stilt Shorey Blends Music and Literacy

A Conversation Blending PBs and Jamz (Picture books and music)

Join Jeanette and me as we chat about picture books in the music classroom, in the regular classroom, and so much more!  How to use them, what does she look for in a picture book, how to overcome the feeling of being on an island as a music teacher, how to get help, what to let go, and some great picture book recommendations.  Come dig in with us!

A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)

As Jeanette stated,  picture books are a great way to get kids interested in  reading, no matter their age. We all love being read to Read-alouds are magical and sometimes get a child interested in a particular topic or in reading in general. Whether you are in the music classroom, a grade-specific classroom or any other setting full of young people, reading is a gateway to new and amazing places and experiences and that is sure to be valuable in your classroom!

Jeanette's teacher help books: STORIES THAT SING & STORIES THAT SING TOO

Here are the two teacher books that Jeanette has co-written and has available (check out her website to order.) So many great books they have highlighted and created resources for that would make a great addition to your classroom. Kids are sure to love these picture books. Some of these are favorite books of mine (YOUR NAME IS A SONG, DRUM DREAM GIRL, and WHAT THE ROAD SAID from the second book and so. many. from the first one.) Great choices to add some music and movement and lots of fun literacy to your classroom, whether you're in the regular classroom or the music classroom!

Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics
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Since I don't want to steal any of Jeanette's thunder, and I'm not highlighting a specific picture book, I'm going to defer to Jeanette and encourage you to make use of her freebies, check out her blog and podcast for tons of great teacher tips, tricks and topics.

Tips and Topics for Music Teachers
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Ditto above, but for music teachers.  She has lots of great tips on the blog, the FB group, and the podcast, so go check her out, connect and enjoy her freebies!

Writing Prompts from Tonnye
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1. Write about a time a teacher used music in the classroom.
2. Write about a picture book that made an impression on you.
3. Write about the coolest read aloud you ever listened to.
4. Have you ever done an amazing read aloud?  Write about it.
5. Write a storybook (picture book) that integrates ALL the things Jeanette looks for in a book to teach.
6. Write about a time you blended music and reading (as a teacher or as a learner)
7. Write a poem that integrates sound words (onomatopoeia)
8. Write a story about the book that sang.
9. Write a story about a child who learns to read with the help of music.
10. If you "read" music, write about how that experience was similar and/or different from learning to "read" words/stories.
11. Write your own list of storybooks that have implications for the music classroom (Feel free to share your list in the comments so we can all benefit!)
12. Write about a book that makes you think of a song.
13. Write about a song that makes you think of a book.

Writing Tips from Jeanette

Authors, Here are things Jeanette is looking for in a picture book to share with kids. These are great to work into your stories if you can.

- Repeating patterns to add instruments or a tiny melody
- Vivid illustrations
- Rhyming helps to practice steady beat
- Sound words (if you can hear a sound in your head when you read it, it’s a sound word)
- Movement words (if you can visualize a movement when you read it, it’s a movement word)
- A positive message

Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!

Here are a couple of Pinterest boards that will help you integrate music and literacy too!
​Sing a Story: Read a Song

Music Integration

YouTube playlist full of music and literacy connections. Music, conversations, and more!

​Jeanette's blog post "3 Reasons You Should Teach Storybook Lessons"

PBJamz Snack

Here in the South, we love biscuits and we love peanut butter and jelly, so in honor of hosting a fellow-southerner for this episode, I'm sharing a simple and bound-to-be-delicious PBJ Monkey bread!  For years, Monkey bread was a go-to for breakfast for Shane and me.  We'd have some fruit alongside and maybe some bacon, ham or sausage, but holy wow, this takes Monkey bread to a whole new level!  How yummy does this sound?!? You can find the recipe here.

Guest Links and Giveaways
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https://storiesthatsing.net (website)
All socials @thehappymusicteacher


​Jeanette is generously doing a giveaway for every reader who is interested!   Check it out: 

• a month of storybook club free (Storybook club includes a lesson plan each month, a PowerPoint to increase student engagement, and a video tutorial for the lesson plan. )

PLUS. . . .

•  2 free storybook lesson plans

AND. . .

• a bonus bouncy ball activity. Storybook club includes a lesson plan each month, a PowerPoint to increase student engagement, and a video tutorial for the lesson plan. 

Link for freebies:  https://storiesthatsing.net/pbjamz
Link for free storybook club for one month:  https://the-music-teacher-academy.circle.so/checkout/storybook-spotlight-club
Enter FREESB at check out.  It will charge $1 which I will refund.