sanna, sannanina

We have been preparing for our new video over the last few weeks. We have been working on a South African Freedom Song called "Sanna, Sannanina". This is one of the songs that was sung at gatherings of South African Blacks as they fought for political freedom.

We have also been working on our "shakers". The shakers are made from oatmeal boxes filled with beans, macaroni or rice and covered with original art by the kids.

The introduction to the song is done by Leif (who turns 6 today!) and the camera man is our teaching assistant Leo. Buy the way, when I got to class today one of the little girls told me she had seen Leo "9 times today". Leo is becoming quite the celeb with our Folk Music Class this year. Enjoy our video!

Leo reading Abiyoyo to the K-class

This year I have invited a past graduate of our Folk Music Class to join us as an assistant (leader in training). Our first assistant leader is Leo. Leo has been a part of our class from the very start. He too was once a kindergartner. Each week Leo's teacher releases him from class early so he can help lead the last 20 minutes of the class. Leo helps with with singing, making instruments and even makes the popcorn for our snack. This past week Leo came in for our Halloween class to read Pete Seager's wonderful book "Abiyoyo". I think Leo did a wonderful job! If you see him around school make sure you thank him for his leadership.


Abiyoyo Book and CD

Corner Grocery Store

Ok... this is the second class of our Fall K-class... My faithful assistant, Yun-Yun "Yak"agrees with me that this is the best k-class we have ever had. Today we worked on a new song where we had to rhyme. Listen for the verse that we chose to sing even when it does not rhyme just because we thought it was so cool.... enjoy

New Kindergarten Class - Fall 2010

We are just starting our new after school class of Folk Music at Berkeley Arts Magnet School in Berkeley. My new assistant teacher is Yun-Yun Cai. I have worked with Yun-Yun with kids for many years now and she is just a natural at teaching and loving young children. We are just getting to know our new class and want you to see our before video (are after videos will be amazing) as we learn to sing together. Enjoy our version of "Inch by Inch" with hand motions.

This Land is Your Land

We are ending our Kindergarten Class for the 2010 School year. This is a great class. We have had so much fun. We are working on our performance for our end of the year party. Andrey does the introduction and Kenna is our director for the video. Our new co-teacher is Yun-Yun. (but we miss Ruhi) Enjoy

I Can Sing a Rainbow

We have the best Kindergarten class. We are learning new songs every week. Here is a new song that we only learned in class today. Enjoy!

We have a wonderful new class for the spring session of our after school program. We have 13 terrific kindergartners who are really doing a great job of singing and learning new songs. This is our very first video, enjoy...

"This Land is Your Land" with hand motions!

At Class this past week we learned "This Land is Your Land" with hand motions. Before we could record the song we had to make sure everyone knew the hand motions. The kids caught on fast but we did have to work a little with our trusted assistant "Ruhi." After one lesson the Kindergarten kids gave Ruhi an A+++ on her test! Ruhi was very excited. So watch and enjoy... but remember... there will be a test... there always is in life :)

BAM World Music Class sings "The Eggplant Song"

We are starting the new year in our Berkeley Arts Magnet School After School music class working on some old songs for broadcast on my Blog. This is just a taste of what we will be doing in our older kid class (1st and 2nd grade). Enjoy this energetic remake of Norman Greenbaum's classic "The Eggplant that ate Chicago" Enjoy...