True Colors

Beautiful version via TED: "In a heart-melting moment, TED Talks Education host John Legend sits at the piano to sing True Colors, giving the lyrics a special meaning for kids and teachers. 'So don't be afraid / to let them show / your true colors / are beautiful, like a rainbow.'

You're a Teacher

(Jerry Mills)

Bohemian Rhapsody on...

...ukulele.

Yes, ukulele.  And it's beautiful.  Take a listen:

Step Outside of the Box with Reckless Curiosity

Andrew Bird's orchestrations completely ~intrigue~ me:

This Eskimo Likes One Eskimo, Go Figure

Just enjoying some new-to-me music.


C'mon, you *knew* this Eskimo couldn't resist One Eskimo:

Tuesday

Report cards go home this week, so the tunes are cranked and keeping me motivated.

Kind of.

**wink**

Tuesday Morning:






Tuesday Afternoon:

Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Dancing Around the Classroom...

... filing, sharpening pencils, and refreshing the crayons in the tabletop baskets *move right along* when you've got upbeat music playing in the background.

Trust me.

And if the day custodians walk in on you, just ask them to dance!

Mary Travers

Mary Travers performed this song on the Mama Cass television program the year I was born, 1969:




...but one of my favorites is this John Denver song:

O, America

Music: William Joseph
Words: Brendan Graham

Performed by Celtic Woman

O, America you’re calling,
I can hear you calling me:
You are calling me to be true to thee,
True to thee… I will be.

O, America you're weeping,
Let me heal your wounded heart:
I will keep you in my keeping,
Till there be… a new start.

And I will answer you, and I will take your hand,
And lead you to the sun:
And I will stand by you…do all that I can do,
And we will be… as one.

O, America I hear you,
From your prairies to the sea,
From your mountains grand, and all through this land,
You are beautiful to me.

And… O, America you’re calling,
I can hear you calling me:
You are calling me to be true to thee,
True to thee… I will be.

And I will answer you, and I will take your hand,
And lead you to the sun:
And I will stand by you… do all that I can do,
And we will be…as one.

O, America you’re calling…
I will ever answer thee.

Jersey Boys

I'll admit it: while waiting for Dear Daughter to return from her first "away" volleyball game of the season, I took a peek at America's Got Talent. The special guest performance was by "The Jersey Boys." Clueless, I kept watching, and ended up dancing around the living room. No, no *I* don't have dancing and singing talent, but my goodness, this crew certainly does! No pyrotechnics, no Bedazzled-barely-there-costumes... I LOVE it!

I Gotta Be...

It's a busy first week back to teaching (photos this weekend), transitioning to our family's new routine for the next year, and dealing with the stresses that arise from Life's daily situations, dramas, and unexpected surprises, fun and not-so.

Here's what I've got on heavy rotation on my iPod:



After jamming, I can *calmly* remind those in-the-know, and reassure those inexperienced with early childhood/kindergarten aged students:

Perfection doesn't happen the first week of school.

Perfection certainly doesn't happen the second day of school.

Accidents, unexpected noises, apprehension, and joyful exuberance are NORMAL, though their timing might not always be convenient.

Accept it. Breathe.

You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm
You gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day

Who Knew I'd Love Coldplay?

...but I do!

Mellow is Good

After a good night's rest, I'm looking forward to getting back to work and settling into a calm rhythm. Yesterday's drama (my truck was stolen in front of me and my children) still has me feeling a bit tense, but I'm in the mood for some peaceful normalcy. I'll be listening to Jack Johnson on the drive into work, and will share "Constellations" with my Super Stars who've had two visits to our planetarium since Christmas, learning to look for constellations in the Kansas night sky:



Mellow is good.

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Many, many thanks to my principal, teacher's aide, colleagues, and Super Star parents for all of the help and support yesterday! I didn't expect to miss work, so I hadn't set my lesson plans, teachers' manuals, work sheets, stories or activities out for the day~ my principal and aide tracked down everything necessary, called a trusted substitute teacher who had already spent time with my students previously, and kept the day fun and productive for my students. Talk about AWESOME!

Making Valentines...Listening to Music...

It's a good combination~ patterned paper, white postcards, red envelopes, heart shaped and stamp shaped punch-outs... and Lisa Hannigan:





I suppose it's an odd song to listen to as I make my Stars' valentine cards...

...but it works!

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~ The Long Thread offers printable valentines (I love the "tweet tweet" cards!)...

~ Hostess With the Mostess shares what must be Cupcake Heaven...

The Music That's Moving Me This Week

Simply Red gets my toes tapping...



Maksim performing the theme from "Somewhere in Time" calms me after a long day...



...and Leona Naess captures quiet love without candy hearts or cheesy cards...

Music, Music

Dear Husband is relieved the Christmas and holiday tunes are packed away until next November (unless I need holiday inspiration for crafting this summer)... but I need music. Need. It.

Some calm and soothing...

~ Here's John Mayer singing a beautiful version of Free Fallin'...

~ Jason Mraz singing The Rainbow Connection:


Some oh-so-necessary-when-on-the-road upbeat Journey/Steve Perry...

...and Sir Paul:


...while my kindergartners are supposed to be learning Home, Home on the Range...


Just means it's time to update the iPod...

Musical Wednesday

Who knew Christmas could give you the HeeBeeGB's? It's the mens' choir from Bowling Green State University, singing The Twelve Days of Christmas (I love the tribute to Toto!):

Gingerbread Faces, Carnival of Education, Music

Aw...



(paper plates colored brown, construction paper pink nose, red cheeks, white "frosting," google eyes and black pipecleaner mouth)

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Here's a recipe for gingerbread "play dough:"

1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 2 tsp. cream of tartar

Spices: allspice, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg

1 cup water, 1 tsp. vegetable oil

Mix dry ingredients with spices to get color you like.
Mix water and vegetable oil together,add to dry ingredients, stir.
Cook the mixture over medium heat until smooth, stirring frequently.
The dough will pull away from sides of pan and clump together.
Knead the dough until soft, smooth, and pliable.
Cool. Store in air tight container (freezer bags work well, make sure to squeeze the excess air out).

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~ Gingerbread Cookie Recipe from Food Network

~ We'll enjoy several of Jan Brett's Christmas books this month, but here's a link to decorate a gingerbread house she designed...

~ Here's a sandpaper gingerbread man ornament....

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This week's Carnival of Education is up at Learn Me Good, where Mister Teacher put a teaching/school spin on A Christmas Carol...

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...in case you didn't know, I love a good remake.

"Together" is a Word That Holds Tomorrow in its Hands

I *loved* watching Big Blue Marble every Sunday when I was a child:


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The lyrics:

The Earth's a Big Blue Marble when you see it from out there...
Closer, getting closer, perspectives start to change things look a little strange, as we get closer.
Closer, growing closer, no need to be afraid our troubles start to fade, as we get closer.
Together is a word we must learn to understand, if we ever want to get to know each other better.
Together is a word that holds tomorrow in its hand, tomorrow's just another day to get together, and...
Get closer, closer, closer, closer...

*****

...does anyone know where I can find an audio recording of just the instrumental music so my kindergartners can sing the song?

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It's Tuesday...Time to DANCE!

**Just because.**



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Go ahead,*try* telling me your toe wasn't tapping!
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By the way, Shannon has split her treasures between Green Gemini's Designs and Angel Kisses Alaska.

Think I can talk her into making some stylin' lanyards from which my school i.d. card can dangle? Plain ol' cotton just isn't pretty enough for my teacher fashion:

BLECH.

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