Studio3Music Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Miss Beth’

Jan
30

I love it when a plan comes together!

So for months now we have had Kindermusik classes. And many of my families have been together all that time, so they have become family to each other. Just the other day, a magical moment happened in class.

We have been working on building this “family” community by having a gathering time at the beginning of class, so that parents and care givers can connect. We then continue on with singing a hello song that incorporates all the children’s names, and we like to do circle dances to help bring people together in a relaxed, fun, safe environment.

One of my favorite circle dances right now is Love Somebody. We have been having a great time walking in and out of the circle, and then the big finish is tell all the children in class that we all love them….and now even the adults will point to each other! Our families in class are so comfortable singing and doing activities that when a new person comes into class, they all openly embrace that parent and child.

As Kindermusik teachers, we want there to be that connection between parents. We hope and plan to have that happen. We love hearing the play dates being organized, but most of all we love having that special time with each of our classes!

-posted by Miss Beth who loves somebody, and it’s you, you, you!

Tags: kindermusik, Miss Beth

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Nov
26

Thankful for……YOU!

Posted in Bits and Pieces, Family, Things We Love

As the holiday season approaches I just wanted to how very thankful I am for my wonderful family, friends and the best job in the world! In my job, I have the opportunity to get to know you and your family and watch your children grow and learn.

Just the other day, one of my current families brought in their older children as it was a day off school. This is a family that started with me when I first began teaching Kindermusik 11 years ago!! It was so amazing to see these kids that are now turning into terrific young adults. I am thankful each and every day for the love and kindness that is in my life. Thank you for everything you do!

Here is one of my all time favorite Thanksgiving songs:

Thanksgiving Day
by John Forster & Tom Chapin
© 1990 Limousine Music Co. & The Last Music Co. (ASCAP)

When we were farmers we hauled in the harvest
And founded Thanksgiving Day.
With food in the shed for the winter ahead
We would gather together to say–
Thanks for our health. Thanks for our hearth
And the bounty that grows from the ground.
With our loved ones near we bless the year
That’s brought us safely ’round.

Now we are shoppers. We drive to the market.
The farm seems a light year away.
Still, every November we pause to remember
That time-honored, old-fashioned day.
Thanks for our health. Thanks for our hearth
And the bounty that grows from the ground.
With our loved ones near we bless the year.
That’s brought us safely ’round.

Everything changes, yes, even Thanksgiving.
Let’s rededicate this old day
To helping the hungry, the poor and the homeless
So all may be able to say–
Thanks for our health. Thanks for our hearth
And the bounty that grows from the ground.
With our loved ones near we bless the year
That’s brought us safely ’round.
With our loved ones near we bless the year
That’s brought us safely ’round.

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

-posted by Miss Beth, who is thankful that she gets to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends!

Tags: kindermusik, Miss Beth

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Oct
21

Milk and Cookies……Yummy in my Tummy!

Posted in Bits and Pieces, Recipes

We have been pretending to make cookies in Our Time classes this semester, but I got to thinking that it’s time to make some real cookies! We’ve all had the standard chocolate chip, peanut butter and oatmeal cookie…..so I’d like to share one of my all time favorite recipes for pumpkin cookies! I’d love for you to share your favorites too. Enjoy!

Great Pumpkin Cookies:

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups quick or old-fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup LIBBY’S 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup raisins
Decorating icings, NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, candies, raisins and/or nuts (optional)

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease baking sheets.

COMBINE flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in medium bowl. Beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until light and fluffy. Add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla extract; mix well. Add flour mixture; mix well. Stir in nuts and raisins. Drop ¼ cup dough onto prepared baking sheet; spread into 3-inch circle or oval. Repeat with remaining dough.

BAKE for 14 to 16 minutes or until cookies are firm and lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Decorate with icings, morsels, candies, raisins and/or nuts.

-posted by Miss Beth, who would be happy to sample any of your cookies!

Tags: Miss Beth, Things to do

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Oct
1

If at first you don’t succeed, tri tri again!

Posted in Bits and Pieces, Family

My brother Mark and I after the Chelan Man.

After I had surgery last summer, I decided I needed a way to get back in shape. I love to swim, so I thought, “Why not give a triathlon a try?”

Setting the goal for me was the most difficult part, but once I made that decision I stuck to it. I used the SMART method, not because I’m overly intelligent, but because it made sense. What is SMART? It’s an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely.

I think the most important thing I did was setting a realistic goal. I wasn’t out to do the Iron Man, but distances that I knew I could actually do. I have a wonderful support team too! My family and friends cheered me on and I had one of my best friends training with me…..and it wasn’t just the actually running, swimming and biking together, but the moral encouragement we gave each other.

My brother and I decided to run the race together, and he was nice enough to wait for me after the swim transition, as we were in different waves. We were then able to bike and run together! It was so wonderful to come across the finish line with my brother and have our Mom and Dad right there supporting us!

So the moral of my story is that if there is something you are thinking about doing, start out with a realistic goal and stick to it. Find your support team, even if that means just talking it out with someone. And go for it and have fun!

-posted by Miss Beth, who will always be there to support the goals of those around her!

Tags: Miss Beth

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Jul
10

Bonjour, Buenos Dias and Konichiwa!

Posted in Bits and Pieces, Things We Love

Although I have a minor in Spanish and family that lives in France, I’m always up for exploring a new country and culture. Learning a new language can be challenging, but it is always a lot of fun when you add songs and games! Singing helps memory, listening skills, language acquisition and solidifies new vocabulary.

We all have a natural rhythm when we talk, so like music, our speech pattern has a beat and a tempo. Singing in a different language can help learn how a language flows. Our brains are fully engaged and stimulated when we sing and move to music, which in turn activates both sides of the brain.

Songs in other languages not only promote that specific language, but also gives insight into those cultures. Singing in a group setting helps build confidence that is needed to carry on day to day conversations.

We get to experience music from all over the world in our classes, so adding songs from around the world at home is a breeze! In this June’s World Traveler camp, we took a “trip” to Japan to learn a fun song about Panda, Usagi, Koala (usagi is Japanese for rabbit). See – you already know the “foreign” words panda and koala! The children had such a great time learning the song and it was made all the more fun by singing it faster and faster!

Domo arigato to all the children who helped make this a song one of my favorites! Enjoy!