Parents- A Vital Part of the Curriculum!

Last Friday afternoon, Dave Keller (Idalee's dad) popped in.  He had arranged to go to his older daughter's class, but alas, they weren't there.  The timing was perfect, as we were celebrating Tre's surprise birthday party and making merry; and what's a party without music?

Dave kindly offered to play and sing some songs he'd taught the children last year (Boom Ba Lady is an old favorite).  Unbeknownst to him was the fact that your children had tired of singing the days of the week as part of our math program.  The days of the week song, sung to the tune of Fr ere Jacques, had been sung ad nauseam for the last twenty some odd days.  Picking up on their boredom and seizing a learning opportunity, I suggested to the children that we should try to come up with a tune for the months of the year- a much more challenging feat.  Hands sprung up!  Alexander was the first to have a go with the pointer.  He sauntered up to the front of the class and in a lovely falsetto he tried to sing the twelve months of the year.  Have you tried this?  Have you tried this in front of your peers?  Let's just say, the boy has pluck!  However, by the time he got to August, things started to fall apart.

Our next volunteer was Seth.  Again, a lovely voice.  The voice of an angel!  However, those summer months are tricky.  I told the kids that we could work on it, and proceeded to the rest of our math lesson.

Fast forward to last Friday.  In walks Dave.  He soon becomes part of the merry making.  As he's playing and singing I have a Eureka Moment!  "Hey Dave", says I. "Do you think you can sing the months of the year?"

The children, not missing a beat (pun intended) start cheering.

Let's just say, the man can compose and perform under pressure. Not only did he come up with a diddy, if you will, he also included a game.  I am happy to inform all of you that we now, after many viewings of this video, have a months of the year song that's part of our daily calendar lesson.

Thanks Dave!

Folks-  I want all of you to know that I tell your children several times a week that I think that I have the best first grade class in the universe.  The same holds true for their families.

Thank you for all that you do, both in class and at home...

Paulette

ps:  I'm not sure if this is the one with Alexander dancing.  If not, I'll upload the other video.

Music speaks to all of us!