A Day with Dr. Jean!!

"Oldies but Goodies"

   Living in the foothills of North Carolina, we usually have to travel a couple hours to a big city to go to a really good workshop.  But this was our lucky day, because today Dr. Jean Feldman came to little ol' Hickory -- just one county away!!  We sing Dr. Jean's songs nearly every day in my kindergarten class, so I was really excited to have the opportunity to see her in person.  And I was not disappointed -- I took away so many ideas and songs that I will be able to use right away -- it was one of the best workshops for simple, practical -- and effective -- ideas I have even attended.
   She reminded us to use the songs we grew up with -- with a twist that supports the Common Core teaching that we do today. So the songs I avoided because they didn't teach a reading or math concept can still be used just for fun -- but at the same time they really are developing oral language, self confidence, problem solving, sequencing and patterns and more.  So we will be singing "Farmer in the Dell" ( or "The Ghost in the Dark") and Nursery Rhymes, kickboxing the ABC's,  and I might even break down and do "Tootie Ta" more than once a year.
    So, I am throwing a kiss to YOUR brain, Dr. Jean -- for reminding me again that kindergarten is more than drilling flash card and doing assessments.  My lesson plans this week will include more FUN (-- but supporting Common Core objectives, of course!)