There’s no holding back now . . . we are in FULL back to school mode up here in Nor Cal. With teacher duty days kicking off on the 14th and our new crew scheduled to walk in on the 19th, it’s seriously ON. How are y’all doing?? My room is nearly finished (one more day max), which means I can finally focus on a little planning and fun prep. It’s silly, but I can’t touch my plan book or get anything ready until my classroom has been cleaned and put back in order . . . I think this girl may have a touch of OCD . . . just sayin’!
On that note, I began preppin’ a little something for my new cuties yesterday and decided to put it in a FREEBIE form to share with all of you. Ever thought of using song binders in your room?? Well, if not, let me build a case for you to mull over today . . .
Growing up around music in the classroom and amazing parents who actually create it, I am no stranger to the unbelievable power of song, rhythm, and rhyme! Learning through music is extremely effective because it is SO brain compatible. It stimulates and unifies cognitive function. It also touches three of the four modalities through which the brain processes information – auditory, kinesthetic, and tactual. Now when you provide the song lyrics in printed form, music also taps into the visual modality. That’s where song binders come in!
Just think . . . over time song binders become a “book” that your students can successfully READ!!! How?? Well, simply provide each student with a copy of the lyrics when you intro a new song. Have them track and sing along as the tune is played. Soon, they will be able to read it without the song. If all of the lyrics are stored in a binder, you now have a book that your students will love to pick up and read! It’s magical I tell ya 🙂
This FREE download includes everything you need to get binders set up for your incoming sweeties. From step-by-step directions to B/W or color song dividers broken out by subject, this collection will walk you right through the process. It also includes an EDITABLE divider!
Wait . . . I’m not done yet. It just so happens that I partnered up with Ron Brown’s Intelli-Tunes (thanks dad), to help get your song binders started off right! In the ZIP download, you will find a MP3 of Ron’s tune, I’m In A New Grade. We also have tossed in your very first set of lyrics.
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| Most classroom songs come with lyrics – many that are print-ready. If they are inside a CD jacket, you can enlarge them on the copier or quickly re-type them. Snag the song and the binder info HERE. |
This year I am setting aside 10 minutes 3-4 times a week to add new and sing previous ditties from our song binders. This will be a great way for me to review the standards in a fun way. AND . . . the more my kids sing the songs, the more they will be able to read it without the tune . . . thus increasing reading confidence and fluency.
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| Click here to learn more. |
I can’t take credit for this doozie. My mom started song binders in her first grade classroom years ago and swears by it. When she first told me about them, I frantically said, “MOM! I don’t have time for this.” She calmly replied, “You don’t have time NOT to do it!” Shhhh . . . don’t tell her I said this . . . but, she was right. Ten little minutes really does go a LONG way 🙂
Alright, I’m almost done today. However, before I go, let’s take things to a whole new level, shall we?? I haven’t hosted a contest on my bloggy blog in ages, so let’s remedy this one!
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| Thank you KG Fonts, JW Illusrations, Moffatt Girls, and Melonheadz! |
Use the Rafflecopter below to win some free standards-based music from Intell-Tunes (we’re talking 3 albums of choice – MP3 or CD)! Three winners will be chosen on Wednesday . . . so, you best hurry and get yo-self entered. Why not, right??!!
Wow, what a great idea!! Fantastic giveaway, too…thank you for doing that!! 🙂 Am so glad that I was lucky enough to find you…looking forward following both of your blogs!! Thanks, again! 🙂
Thanks!!
This is a cool giveaway. Sometimes with everything else going on I forget how important music is in the classroom!
Rambling About Reading
I am so excited to ROCK out with some tunes this year! I am off to buy more binders!
Thank you so very much! I can't wait to find out the results of the giveaway!
Fingers crossed!
Julie
This is great! Thank you for sharing this resource and the new back to school song- so fun!
Mikaela
I Love this!!!!! Thank you! I've downloaded it and plan on doing this. Your mom (and you) are brilliant! 😉
This is a super idea! Thanks for sharing it with us!!
Very cool idea for the classroom! Thanks for sharing it with us! I love having music added into the school day and this just makes it even better! Thanks! 🙂
SO SO SO SMART!!!!!!!
Love this giveaway! I am the same way I would have to have the room ready before the planning begins otherwise I just think of all the things I still need to do.
Jessica
Apples and Papers
I have poetry folders to help with the fluency, but song binders are a great idea. So fun! I saw your parents at a conference last year…they didn't seem like bloggers. Should be interesting to follow them. 🙂
Rita
You are such a smartie pants! I love it. 🙂
Can not wait for my wifi to get fixed so I can do this on my laptop! It looks amazing! Thanks for the great freebie!
Thanks. I share a song binder in my classroom but it certainly isn't as jazzy as this one. I love the song!! Double meaning…I am going into a new grade also.
Hiya Kelley! Thank you for the amazing post. I have made little books of songs that we sing in the class for the kids to illustrate and read, but I like the idea of the binder to keep all year. Also, excited about your giveaway. Thank you 🙂
Teach Love
I have never heard of a song binder but I'm definitely going to give it a try. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. Teaching with Giggles
I am spending a week at UCLA for Common Core. I heard Dr. Marcia Tate, author of Worksheets Don't Build Dendrites. She stated that music should be used in classrooms at least 30% of the day and offered great examples. They are in her books….great timing on your post? Thanks.
Susan
Lopezlandlearners.blogspot.com
I have the greatest respect for your parents and have used their music for years. Many years ago when I taught half day, I taught music to the whole school by grade levels in the afternoon. I had binders… and they were individually illustrated by different grades, one song at a time. They were beautiful… and each time the kids used a binder, they often saw a different child's interpretation of the songs. You know, I might do this again with my Kinder music… and open up the illustrating to older students. Might be worth a try!
Thank You! I LOVE using music in my classroom! Thank you for the great giveaway! Kelly at teacherturk@gmail.com
I love using music in my classroom and am always looking for more! Thank you!
This is so fantastic!!! Often, I don't think we realize just how important the arts are for fostering those soft skills that everybody says are so important in this day and age.
Wow!! Thank you so much for sharing this! I too know the importance of music in the classroom and am excited to use this.
Thanks for sharing these great resources! I can't wait to use them with my Firsties:-)
I love this family more than anyone else and should totally win this… right? This is a great giveaway and Mom and Dad have an adorable blog. I know how great the music is. Trust me. Love you,
Fran@kindergartencrayons.blogspot.com
Thanks for the free resource and the opportunity to win some great resources!
Very nice collection
Thank you so much for your great ideas and generosity. I hope you have a wonderful beginning of the year!
Meg