Teaching your little ones and the curious on multiple levels is what Lightning’s Lessons ("LL") is all about. 

Our mission is 2-fold: 
1. To assist in teaching young children and curious minds basic learning concepts.   
2. To inspire and ignite an early love for Roots/Blues music in a fun and memorable way. 

Lightning's Lessons brings you a dynamic multi-platform learning experience! Vol. 1 targets PreK to 1st grade and consists of eleven original up-tempo/engaging songs accompanied by colorful illustrations in our lyrical sing-along book*. ​​

Music lovers, and readers of all ages will thoroughly enjoy this multi-platform experience! ​ Read along (participate), and sing-along with our all-stars while flipping through the pages and listening to our soundtrack. Vol. 1 outlines basic learning concepts which are perfect for reading aloud and along with your children or in the classroom.  This combination can assist in spelling, literacy, and memorization, as it was thoughtfully constructed to produce a positive learning environment and encourage participation. So enjoyable, your children will forget they are learning!  

Along with our all-stars, our bunny rabbit host 'Lightning' (and cast of friends) will take your children on a learning journey focusing on: the days of the week and months of the year, directions (North, South, East, and West), counting, shapes, manners, eating healthy, the seasons, ABC's, a blues story, and more! 

Not only will children have fun, but adults will, too! Parents, we proudly introduce world-class musicians who will inspire you to sing along with your children. So, join the fun…Snap your fingers, clap your hands, and do the shape dance!

Featuring:
Carey Bowman, Tommy Castro*, Laura Chavez, Vanessa Collier, Shemekia Copeland*, Ray Greene, Big Llou Johnson, Scottie Miller,
Leon Spradley, Shari Puorto, Duke Robillard, Curtis Salgado*, Chris Vachon, Jimmy Vivino, Victor Wainwright, and Doug Woolverton.

07. Peter Polite Piggie

MVP Kit Middle School

Gear Up With Music: Make College a Plan

NW Indian Youth Con

Put On A Show: Youth Suicide Prevention

NW Indian Youth Conference Song featuring Isabella James of the  Lummi Nation.

WestSide/EastSide Tribal Youth

Tribal youth created social media. www.ToddDennymsw.com

Higher Learning, Native Youth Value Education

Lummi 2011

Native Youth Historical Trauma: Till The Day I Die

Tribal youth created prevention message.  www.ToddDennymsw.com

Squaxin Island

Opioids: Can't Stop the Medicine

Music Teacher Coffee Talk Episode #3
Links for things we discussed
Sail Away 
Book: 12 Days of Christmas https://www.amazon.in/Twelve-Days-Christmas-Pop-Up-Celebration/dp/0689808658

My Favorite Things https://www.amazon.com/My-Favorite-Things-Richard-Rodgers/dp/0064436276

Jingle Bells - Dolly Parten
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2R4aLbVD54

Parachutes, Ribbons, and Scraves, Oh My! - Artie Alameda
http://www.westmusic.com/p/parachutes-and-ribbons-and-scarves-oh-my-839232

Sanna Longden Even More Dances (recording 11/2) https://sannafolkstyle.com/cd-and-dvd-index/

Amy Abbott’s Deck the Halls dance: http://www.musicalaabbott.com/2012/11/deck-halls.html

Dreidal Song sung by Shir Soul - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtlLHwk9_Rw

Leggings Depot - https://www.amazon.com/Print-Leggings-Music-Me-R550-OS/dp/B01MQQ55QH/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1512790699&sr=8-4&keywords=music+leggings

Music Teacher Coffee Talk

MTCT Episode #3: Top 10 Tips for a Triumphant End of the Year

Tanya and Carrie discuss back to school planning for the music teacher.

MTCT Episode #21: Back to School Planning

Our latest episode is all about music class procedures and building a positive community within each class. 
Some of the things we talked about:

Music Making: Bring the joy of music to them as soon as possible.

o   Start the class with a “no-fail” singing game or chant. This could be a singing or chanting name game. Is there a singing game students have begged to play again and again in class in your past years? Start the year and your class with that gem!

o   Aim to include singing, moving/dancing, and playing instruments, within the first 4 lessons.

 

    Rapport: Build relationships between you and the class

o   Use students’ names frequently, (this will help you memorize names quicker, too.)

o   Smile and be willing to share a laugh with the students.

o   Talk to kids when they’re not in music class and show that you care about them.

o   Share a few of your “what I did on my summer vacation” pictures with each class. (They need to know about you, too.)

o   Verbalize why you became a music teacher.

o   Give a short performance for each class. You are a musician, too. Share that part of you.

 

·      Rules: Communicate your behavior management plan and class rules on the first or second day.


o   Keep it simple. More than 4 or 5 rules is too many.

o   Emphasize mutually respect. (Pair and share: “I want my teacher to know:__________”)

o   Give specific examples of following or not following a classroom rule.

Procedures to Practice:

Coming in to the room
Mindful Minutes
Reading the learning target
Lining up/Leaving the room
Asking a question
Pair and Share/”Back to Class”
Bathroom procedures
Time Out procedure
Answering the phone
Fire Drill
Lock-Down
Making a Circle
Moving in a Circle
Passing out materials
Getting small percussion instruments
Going to drums
Going to barred instruments

MTCT Episode #23: Back to School Procedures

Preeminent youth created health promotion media.
www.ToddDennymsw.com

We are Kodály inspired elementary music teachers who love to share songs, activities, lessons, and ideas for the music room. Show notes at https://musicteachercoffeetalkpodcast.blogspot.com/

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