Friday, February 24, 2012

How Important is Music At Your Party?


Quick, even though none of these movies are about music, I dare you to look at the movie titles above and not think about the music that is associated with it.  Then, I double dog dare you not to have some feelings/memories associated with that music.  Seriously, I don't even like to hear the da duh, da duh, daduhdaduhdaduh of the music from Jaws when I am in the bathtub. 

Music can stimulate the mind, enhance your expressive ability, and make you feel:
Happy-try not to smile (or even dance) when you listen to Groove is in the Heart by Deee-lite
Sad- Just try to smile while listening to Johnny Cash's version of Hurt
Motivated - I just know I can make it for another few minutes on the treadmill
when I hear the Beatles' Revolution or Thing Called Love by The Darkness
Peaceful - Why do you think they play soothing music in the spa 

So why wouldn't you play music at a party??  Even a party at school in your child's classroom--wait, especially at a party in your child's classroom!!  When you decorate for a party you are changing the atmosphere of the classroom/gym/greenspace.  If you are having a theme party, you are creating an illusion.  Your child spends 5 days a week in these spaces during the school year.  A party is a great opportunity to escape the usual thoughts and feelings about those spaces.  Why spend all that time and effort on decorations and then discard one of the cheapest and easiest ways to create a mood?  Most of the time you can find the music at the library, on itunes, or in your own collection.
In this spirit, I am going to include playlists for all future parties. I always have a party soundtrack, here are some examples from our school parties this year and last year.

Halloween 2011 (Mummy Madness):  Monster Mash, Calling all the Monsters, Thriller, One-eyed, One-horned Flying Purple People Eater, Ghostbusters, etc.

Christmas 2011 (Who-feast):  soundtrack from the How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Valentines Day 2012 (So Sweet) - Sugar Sugar (The Archies), Sunshine and Lollipops (Lesley Gore), I want Candy (Cody Simpson),Sweet Pea (Amos Lee), yummy, yummy, yummy (The Ohio Express), Candy Girl (New Edition), Lollipop (The Chordettes), Sugar Pie Honeybunch (The Four Tops)

Halloween 2010 (Harry Potter): Hary Potter theme music

End of Year 2011 (Dive Into Summer):  Wipeout (Surfaris), Surfin' Safari , Surfer Girl, Catch a Wave, (all Beach Boys),Beach Party (Annette)  


Do you have any favorite party music? What are you using for your parties? Post in comments.  

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration on March 2nd


Dr. Seuss was born March 2, 1904.  Send in an activity or treat to celebrate!  It is also Read Across America day.  Blue cotton candy disguised as Thing 1 and Thing 2 is fun, so are green eggs made from melted white chocolate with a green m&m.  Marshmallows on a stick with some fruit by the foot looks like The Cat in the Hat.  There are lots of fun ideas out there, take a look at the links below for a few of them!  I am sending in blank books with markers, pipe cleaners, sticky dots, pom poms and glitter for Mrs. Monahan's room to create their own Dr. Seuss creature and then write a story about them.  I am also sending bookmarks. 

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/drseusscraftprojects/tp/Dr-Seuss-Book-Activities.htm

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/dr-seuss-birthday/

http://www.seussville.com/Educators/educatorClassroomResources.php?id=printables

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Mardi Gras!


February 21st is Fat Tuesday.  Help your class celebrate with fun crafts from the links below, or treat them to some king cake, fresh beignet, or paczki (pronounced paunch-key)!

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/mardi_gras.htm

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/mardigrasprojects/a/Mard-Gras-Crafts.htm

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Fun birthday classroom goodies!

OK, this has nothing to do with Valentine's day, but I couldn't resist sharing a great birthday treat idea from The Purple Pug! If you are turning 11, you could use 2 twinkies. Love it!