Family Reading Nights: the High Wire Act of Literacy Events
Happy New Year, MLK Day and Year of the Monkey early! Around this time, many schools plan literacy events to remind families of the myriad benefits of reading books together. Family nights, compared to...
View ArticleThe Jazz Fly read by 4th grade Korean students
Looks like Mr. Kelly’s “Jazz Fly students” at the Korean School in Yokohama, Japan outdid themselves! Highly imaginative project for English language learners : ) The post The Jazz Fly read by 4th...
View ArticleClik here to view.
On Beyond Dr. Seuss for Read Across America Day
Much as I love Dr. Seuss, elementary schools would do better on Read Across America Day to focus on poetry with more wide ranging vocabulary like Falling Up (Shel Silverstein) and It’s Raining Pigs and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Modeling Thoughtful Citizenship (Even When Politicians Don’t)
Greetings Teachers, Librarians and Administrators, As schools gear up for another fall semester, there are still some days left to walk around in sandals, enjoy chilled watermelon, and daydream about...
View ArticleClik here to view.
10 Jazz Books to Connect Kids to Music and the Wider World
(This thematic round-up first appeared as a guest post on www.pragmaticmom.com) Hop. Boom. Skiddily-bop. Bing! Let’s start the new school year in rhythm, shall we, with 10 books that connect kids to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How to create an original call and response chant
ZLOH…ZLEE…ZLOH-ZLEE-ZLOO! Create an original call and response chant to instantly focus children’s attention–in the classroom, library, over the intercom, or at home! Greetings teachers (that...
View ArticleClik here to view.
About Permissions to Read My Picture Books Online
Since spring, with schools closed due to the new Coronavirus, teachers and librarians have taken to story time by remote. And my in-box has been filled with requests from around the country for...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Drummer / Author’s Journey
This summer, I was honored to be interviewed for the National Association for Music Education. The editor, Tom Amoriello, a guitarist and educator, described himself as a longstanding fan of the Jazz...
View ArticleThe Long Tail of a Teacher’s Positive Impact
Here’s one thing that Facebook is good for: a classmate from elementary school unearths an old photo, posts it and lets a community connect. Recently, Debbie Clark Anders posted this class portrait of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Choosing Just the Right Names for Story Characters
Jazz Fly interview by the National Association for Music Education Choosing just the right names for your story’s characters sounds like it would be easy enough. Usually, though, it isn’t, at least...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Permissions to share my books in the Covid era
Since school closures began due to the Covid pandemic, I’ve received scores of emails from teachers asking permission to share my books with their home bound students. (Music teacher Jen Meyer of Iowa...
View ArticleClik here to view.
On Musical Books and Distance Learning
Tell me quickly the more agreeable topic: children’s books or presidential elections? Story Monsters Ink magazine featuring Matthew Gollub, November, 2020 This month, I am thrilled to appear on the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
On Beyond Dr. Seuss for Read Across America Day
Much as I love Dr. Seuss, elementary schools would do better on Read Across America Day to focus on poetry with more wide ranging vocabulary like Falling Up (Shel Silverstein) and It’s Raining Pigs and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Modeling Thoughtful Citizenship (Even When Politicians Don’t)
Greetings Teachers, Librarians and Administrators, As schools gear up for another fall semester, there are still some days left to walk around in sandals, enjoy chilled watermelon, and daydream about...
View ArticleClik here to view.
10 Jazz Books to Connect Kids to Music and the Wider World
(This thematic round-up first appeared as a guest post on www.pragmaticmom.com) Hop. Boom. Skiddily-bop. Bing! Let’s start the new school year in rhythm, shall we, with 10 books that connect kids to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How to create an original call and response chant
ZLOH…ZLEE…ZLOH-ZLEE-ZLOO! Create an original call and response chant to instantly focus children’s attention–in the classroom, library, over the intercom, or at home! Greetings teachers (that...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Permissions to share my books in the Covid era
Since school closures began due to the Covid pandemic, I’ve received scores of emails from teachers asking permission to share my books with their home bound students. (Music teacher Jen Meyer of Iowa...
View ArticleClik here to view.
About Permissions to Read My Picture Books Online
Since spring, with schools closed due to the new Coronavirus, teachers and librarians have taken to story time by remote. And my in-box has been filled with requests from around the country for...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Two sticks, a drum pad and an author’s journey
This summer, I was honored to be interviewed for the National Association for Music Education. The editor, Tom Amoriello, a guitarist and educator, described himself as a longstanding fan of the Jazz...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Long Tail of a Teacher’s Positive Impact
Mrs. Brunk’s 5th grade class, remembered by Matthew Gollub Here’s a true story to lift the spirits of anyone devoted to nurturing young people. We cannot foretell exactly how, but the activities you...
View Article