Every week, I sing/read a book to my kindergarten classes. It is a way for the students to observe how words flow together in reading, and a chance for them to experience a familiar song in a different way. I am posting links for the books I read here. If you decide to purchase the books through the provided link, I get a small percentage of the profit from the books you get. I use the money to help me pay for the music software upgrades and storage space needs for this podcast/blog.
September
The version of 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" I use in class is available at the Amazon site, but it is through a used book service, and costs $46.00. (It was published in 1986) The two versions I have linked to here have the additional verses, just like in the book I sang from. The DK Publishing version has a battery operated twinkling star on the front cover.
"All the Pretty Little Horses" is another beautiful book that is no longer in mainstream circulation. This link, however, will take you to a page where the book is possibly available, and there is a new Kindle edition of the book, too. If you are a Kindle reader for yourself, perhaps bringing along a couple of nice children's books on your device would be a good idea for long trips and unexpected delays.
The book "There Were Ten in the Bed" is lots of fun, because the reader MAKES the children fall out of bed by turning a wheel inside the book. Lots of fun for one on one reading time.
This version of "Mary Wore Her Red Dress" has great pictures with lots of detail, and a picture story that's very interesting to children. I highly recommend this book for family reading!
October
"Over in the Meadow" is a classic children's counting song. The illustrations in this book are done by Ezra Jack Keats, a well known children's book writer & illustrator.
The book "Over in the Arctic" is a great modern variation of the "Over in the Meadow" song, with animals from the Arctic Tundra.
"Dem Bones" is a new book in my collection. We are singing it together using the African American Spiritual of the same name, but the short anatomy lessons would be fun to do in a science lesson context.
Five Little Pumpkins is a classic counting song and a classic Halloween song, rolled into one. It's lots of fun!
November
The book "Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night" is a classic, published in the 1960s. There is a companion recording sung by Tom Chapin, although I don't own a copy of that recording. Students who saw the movie "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" will be familiar with the characterization of the fox and his family.
"Over The River and Through the Wood" is a book full of pictures of an 'old fashioned' Thanksgiving. It is a good book for helping kids realize that, despite lots of changes in the world, a holiday spent with family is an important and happy part of life.
December
"The Night Before Christmas" was originally written in 1822 as a poem. It was set to music by Johnny Marks (of 'Rudolph' fame) in the 1950s
"The Friendly Beasts" is a gentle, calming Christmas lullaby. It is a nice contrast to the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
"Here Comes Santa Claus" was written and recorded by Gene Autry in 1947. The pictures in this book tell a parallel story to the lyrics.
"Frosty the Snowman" is the song that we all know, illustrated with bright colors.
January
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A podcast from Mrs. Johanek for the kindergarten students of Nasonville and Washington Elementary Schools.
