It’s Sunday, but I only have a small case of the Sunday Night Blues.
Because the Season Finale of the Bachelor is on tomorrow and that makes it all better!!!!!!
I can’t wait, in case you didn’t know.
Alright. So. I told you yesterday that my Listening Center was the SECOND MOST POPULAR center at Fun Friday this week. (Computers are always number one. Always. Some kids even ask me if they can just “watch” the kids on the computers. Really. I don’t get it. And don’t compare my watching a boy date twenty-five girls with watching two kids play Poptropica or Cool Math or Reading Eggs. It is clearly not the same because I am married and, therefore, can’t go on a dating show. These first graders just need to earn more gold tags so that they can actually get on the computers.)
Normally, my listening center has four books, four pointers, and a matching CD or a tape.
And, sometimes, it doesn’t have books. Sometimes, it has a Follow the Directions type of worksheet and I’m on the tape. That’s usually quite popular, as well, because I have a melodic voice that sounds just amazing on a cassette tape and the kids can’t help but fall in love with me. Just saying. Oh, and I put background music on it, too, so that just brings it on home. Bam.
BUT.
Even better than THAT is when I put our SONGS in the listening center! My friend, Christina, gave me the idea years ago.
I’m telling you. POPULAR. (Did the song from Wicked just pop into your head like mine?)
I’m also warning you that it might get loud. Some of my kids really get into it. (I have no idea where they learned to sing into a pencil, bow, and accept a Grammy after each song.) I recommend having the songs available at Fun Friday when the whole room is so loud that you can’t hear the phone ring or the intercom buzz or the fire alarm go off. The singing and performing and possible break dancing will just blend right in and you can just keep grading your papers or stuffing homework folders or prepping for the following week playing that game of checkers with that kid you’re determined to beat at least once this year, gosh darn it.
So there you have it.
Something fun and different for your listening center.
Unless you already do this — then I’ve got nothing for you.
Sounds like fun! I was wondering what your following directions tapes are like. That could be a fun post too:)
Love the song idea! 🙂 So great for fluency practice. 🙂
Sugar and Spice
Love this idea! My kids would love that!
Danielle
Carolina Teacher
I've been meaning and meaning to write to you!!! We got our stools! They LOVE them! I want to make sure they stay in good shape but I think I might get one more set. They are so lightweight and easy to move! Thanks Kristin 🙂
I love the idea of the songs…I wish I could do that in grade 5 but I'm not sure if it would fly the same way 😉
Ooh I love playing checkers with my kids…. I firmly believe in teaching a real life lesson and NEVER let them win…unless they can really beat me….
I LOVEEE this idea! My pre-k kids are obsessed with the HeidiSongs phonics songs. What did you put in the book… just the song lyrics?
Thanks!
Mary
I use the HeidiSongs DVDs and my little ones sit on the computer and sing so loudly! It is hysterical and often distracting…but hey, they're learning those sight words!
Jessica
The Littlest Scholars
Great idea! I love teaching songs and poems to my kids, but never thought to them in our listening center! Genius!
Nicole
Teaching With Style
Oh, what a fun post for me to happen along! Thank you so much!!!
I do have a "Sing Along Songbook" already made up. I suppose I should post it for sale, LOL!
🙂 Thanks for the shout out!!!
Heidi Butkus
http://heidisongs.blogspot.com
How fun Kristin – I love the idea of putting songs in the listening center and I can see why it was so popular. :o)
Vicky
Genius!!!
Hahaha! My third graders love "watching" computers during Fun Friday. I don't get it but whatever floats their boat!
~Mrs. T
Hahaha! My third graders love "watching" computers during Fun Friday. I don't get it but whatever floats their boat!
~Mrs. T
The best thing about this blog post is that you made a WICKED reference!!