Instant Professional Development for Youth Librarians: Mr. Eric's Music Class

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I plan to start sharing fun, free professional development and resource type-stuff. For this first one, I'm really excited to show a really fun video of Mr. Eric (Eric Litwin of Pete the Cat fan) teaching one of his music classes. There are tons of great rhymes, songs, and activities shared in this 41 minute clip. So check it out! It's the second video on this page.

No time to watch a whole class? Mr. Eric has some individual songs from the class on the YouTube page for his educational music exploration venture, The Learn
ing Groove. (It's similar to Kindermusik.)

The Birds on The Tree (lap song) Notice how he laughs off singing the wrong lyrics!
The Cookie Jar Taking audience suggestions.
The Wheels on the Bus
We are Monsters
Hey, Hello Song (this one has a sort-of "welcome to class" introduction approach that is light humored more than the typical THESE ARE THE RULES AND YOU WILL OBEY THEM approach. It's refreshing.)

When observing storytimes by other professionals, I like to sit and absorb the whole thing, putting myself in the mindset of an audience member. As I'm pretending to be a parent/caregiver, what are my impressions of this storytime? Does the presenter seem like they enjoy the material? Are the children responding to the material? If they aren't, is the presenter adjusting to that?

And we can also discuss this as fellow professionals. Is the presenter transitioning between materials? Does the storytime feel cohesive? How is he/she reacting to children who interrupt or are otherwise distracting the group? Do we have suggestions for how these situations can be improved? Notice how Mr. Eric says goodbye to all the kids, himself, the name of the store(?) they're inside, and everybody. The kids get high-fives, which is a great alternative to a hug, sticker, etc.

Please note that I'm not affilated with any of the persons or organizations mentioned in this post. I have not been paid or compensated in any way for writing about them. Just sharing the love. 

Comments

  1. Lisa8/05/2013 9:57 AM

    I just saw this too. Way cool!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown8/06/2013 1:21 PM

    This is great! I learned so much; thanks for sharing.
    Melisa
    Miss Lisa, NC

    ReplyDelete
  3. By Amy8/08/2013 5:34 AM

    Thanks so much for highlighting these video clips. I've never seen Mr. Eric "live" before and he has some great strategies I can use with my Montessori preschoolers. Now I just need to learn to play the guitar.... ; )

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  4. GrandmaGippy8/21/2013 6:42 PM

    I'm waiting for your instructions on how to learn to play and use an ukelele for story times. Seriously this is great info. Thanks all this info you are sharing with us.

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  5. Anne8/22/2013 8:16 AM

    I *WISH* I knew how to play the uke! My friend Mary does: http://missmaryliberry.wordpress.com/2013/03/10/ukulele-in-storytime-sleeping-bunnies/

    ReplyDelete

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