Friday, February 28, 2014

"Dinosaur Romp" Active Song goes DIGITAL!

"Dinosaur Romp" by Debbie Clement goes DIGITAL!

"DINOSAUR ROMP!"

YIPPEE!!! I have translated another of my original children's songs into DIGITAL format! In the zipped file you get an MP3 version of the song, a powerpoint format of the lyrics and some Pdf's for some fine motor dino fun. 

The song has a hard-driving beat. 
Think AC/DC goes to PreK.
Think T-REX on wailing guitar. 
You're going to need your air guitars for this one! 

Dinosaur Mural (Rock and Roll) for "Dinosaur Romp" by Debbie Clement

Let me demonstrate my AIR Guitar for you. 
That's how you really wail. 
Throw back your shoulder and it howl. 
That's a dinosaur hat on my head from the dollar store....
so be on the look-out! 


Rock and Roll Dinosaur Romp by Debbie Clement

Here's another Dinosaur hat variation. 
I remember finding this on a vacation trip in a novelty store. 
Be on the look out. 

"Dinosaur Romp" Active/Movement Brain Break Song by Debbie Clement

As I ALWAYS promise you: 
"If you put something on your head, you will have more eye contact from the kids!" 

The best way to go on a Dinosaur Romp is to think of playing "Follow the Leader." 
YOU get to be the leader -- unless you invite me! 

Here is a classroom of PreK's with their air guitars 
and following along as we stomp through the prehistoric swamp.

"Dinosaur Romp" Air Guitars Follow the Leader by Debbie Clement

"Dinosaur Romp" Air Guitars Follow the Leader by Debbie Clement

Dinosaurs make the PERFECT art project. 
They lend themselves to 'interpretation.' 

photo of: Child's Drawing of Dinosaur in Colorful Treatment Using Mixed Media

Dinosaur Murals via RainbowsWithinReach

Bulletin Board Dinosaurs ROAR

Dinosaur Handprint Painting in Preschool via RainbowsWithinReach

Take a look at an entire Bulletin Board full of handpainted and PERSONALIZED Dinosaurs in the Preschool setting. 

Dinosaur Paintings with Handprints in Preschool via RainbowsWithinReach


True Confessions................ 

The zipped file is not quite zipped up. 
We have safely arrived in sunny DENVER!!! 

Got back here to Clement central around 'our' east coast midnight. 

Still need to get this together, but the RockieWonders are monopolizing my heart. 

Maybe later today?
Or more likely..... tonight after they go to bed! 
Yes. That's the plan.
Zip and upload after they hit-the-hay! 


Sunday, February 23, 2014

Jungle Animals as Door Decorations in Preschool

Decorated Classroom Doors using Jungle Animals in Preschool via RainbowsWithinReach

JUNGLE (ZOO) ANIMALS & EXCELLENCE

Are you ready for some serious early childhood EXCELLENCE? These images are 'hot' off of my memory card from just yesterday. It has been a road-trip sort of weekend. I had the opportunity to speak for ACSI in Chesapeake, VA. The event took place in the midst of an incredible ECE building, We gathered together at the Greenbrier Christian Academy.  

Walking into the preschool commons, I was greeted with these three amazing 'decorated' classroom doors. Currently the program is doing an "Around-the-World" theme. I learned at the end of the day, that the teachers change their door decorations in response to the season and or their theme. I also learned that this is the second year for these beauties to be used (and hence the lamination -- making them glorious from year-to-year.) 


Decorated Classroom Door for Giraffe Theme via RainbowsWithinReach

I knew that you'd want to have a close up of each animal's "face"....... so I was focused in my photo taking, on your behalf. ENJOY! Be certain to look at the eyelashes from animal to animal. These are even given a three dimensional effect. Such attention to detail! 

Decorated Classroom Door for Giraffe Theme (face detail) via RainbowsWithinReach

If you're brand new here, you don't realize my affection and enthusiasm for all things giraffe. {My second picture book is entitled "Tall Giraffe" and is base on the original song for children that I wrote by that title.} I presented my two break out workshops in the very commons area outside of these classrooms! Imagine how THRILLED I was to see this GLORIOUS creature. 

Of course I had to pose in my giraffe costume with such a perfect backdrop. 


Debbie Clement, author of "Tall Giraffe" with decorated classroom door

Now take a look at the other two brilliant completed projects. 

Decorated Classroom Door with Tiger Theme via RainbowsWithinReach


Decorated Classroom Door with Tiger Theme (face detail) via RainbowsWithinReach


Decorated Classroom Door with Zebra Theme via RainbowsWithinReach

Decorated Classroom Door with Zebra Theme (face detail) via RainbowsWithinReach

Here are a few more glimpses of  goodies around their rooms. 
These headband animal crowns are absolutely classic!


Jungle Animal Crown Headbands via RainbowsWithinReach

These lovely "Z" is for Zebra projects were on a bulletin board in the Commons as well. I LUV LUV LUV that each child was given the genuine freedom to create their own Z!

Z is for Zebra Craft Project via RainbowsWithinReach

"Word Bank" for Vocabulary Words via RainbowsWithinReach

"Word Bank" for Vocabulary Words with Definitions via RainbowsWithinReach


I have two earlier articles here and here on my blog filled with jungle/zoo animal projects. 
You'll want to go back to take a look at all of those ideas. 
The first article is at this click and includes the monkey decorated door below.

photo of: Monkey theme Classroom door decoration, zoo bulletin board, jungle reading decoration

Jungle Animal Art Projects for Young Children (RoundUP via RainbowsWithinReach)

Would you be a sweetheart and pin from this article? 
That's the way that folks 'find' me for the first time! 
Thanks!!!

I now have 145,000 followers at Pinterest. 
Plus this weekend I clicked over to my first thousand followers at Instagram! 


P.S. On our way back home from VA we were able to make a quick stop to see my parents again. 
Here are the four of us in the hallway at church this morning. 

We leave on Thursday for Colorado and that portion of the family. 

Photo: The four of us at church this morning. Augusta, GA and now to brunch!

Mom. I put this together and know that you'll appreciate it, too! 

Ocean Quote of Teamwork and Togetherness from Debbie Clement (RainbowsWithinReach)





Thursday, February 20, 2014

Snowflake Symmetry in Kindergarten + Anchor Charts

Snowflake Symmetry in Kindergarten via RainbowsWithinReach

Symmetry! 
Symmetry in Snowflakes! 
Symmetry in KINDERGARTEN!!!

I just LUV LUV LUV seeing what children are capable of creating! 
These are simply stellar examples of what is possible. 

Using Pattern Shaped Pieces to Create Symmetric Snowflakes in Kindergarten via RainbowsWithinReach

These beauties were on display on the classroom bulletin board in Texas. 
I had a chance to see them up close and personal earlier this month
during my author-illustrator school visit. 

Kindergarten Math Meets Art: Snowflake Symmetry via RainbowsWithinReach

Kindergarten Snowflake Symmetry (from RainbowsWithinReach)

Here's what the whole geometric snowflake collection looked like in the Kindergarten classroom!
An entire bulletin board of radial symmetry!!! 
FANTASTIC: each and every one. 

Winter Bulletin Board of Symmetric Snowflakes in Kindergarten via RainbowsWithinReach

While I'm searching through the memory card of that visit, 
I found some other goodies! 
I'll need to add these to my earlier Winter anchor chart RoundUP.

"The Perfect Snowman" Poem as Anchor Chart via RainbowsWithinReach


"My Snow Day" Anchor Chart via RainbowsWithinReach

The Snowman Song Anchor Chart Poem via RainbowsWithinReach

A Winter Day Poem on Anchor Chart via RainbowsWithinReach

Five Snowmen Poem as Anchor Chart via RainbowsWithinReach

Here's a little composite of all four of the Winter Poems! 

Four Winter Poems as Anchor Charts via RainbowsWithinReach


I'm guessing that you will also want to see these earlier Winter Anchor Charts.
In fact, I'll add these new ones to the ever growing collection.  

Winter Poem Rhyme Anchor Charts via RainbowsWithinReach

If you are REALLY into Anchor Charts, 
you're going to want to go back in time to this RoundUP of over 100 examples. 

Anchor Charts on Hangers! Organization and Collection of Anchor Charts: RoundUP at RainbowsWithinReach

Will you be a sweetheart and pin from my article? 
That's how people 'find' me! 
Thanks in advance. 


Tuesday, February 18, 2014

DREAMS Really DO Come True: FILMING!!


DREAMS, DREAMS and MORE DREAMS!!!  


How do I even begin to tell this story? Giving you the setting seems an appropriate way to begin. Today's installment of 'Dreams Really Do Come True' is set in central Ohio. We travel the roadways from my custom designed "Mother/FIL Suite" (in the lower level of the Daughter S home) to the Award Winning Horizons Production Company on the exact opposite side of Columbus, Ohio. 

And how pray-tell do I have this invitation to FILM? 
Go back three months in time to NAEYC in Washington DC last fall. 
Here are some of the power players from Zaner-Bloser taking me out to dinner to talk DREAMS! 


And why do I have this power dinner in DC? 
Go back years and years: to the time of creating the CD, 
Look closely at the bottom and you see the ZB logo! 
Yes. They commissioned me to create this project.  


We had 'always' believed that videos of the songs would be the perfect teacher support. 
It just took a while for the stars to align. 

And now they have! 
Take a look at our day of filming at Horizons! 

The end project/video is designed for four and five year olds. 
Just so happens that I have 2 WonderTwinzees that are now five! 
Guess who got to travel to the horse-barn studio and participate? 
THESE TWO! 



We got the day started by filming the footage to support one of my ALL time favorite ZB songs: 

"Top to Bottom." 
Mr. Eyelashes was the brave one -- and went first.


I stood off stage and acted as the 'prompt'....... 
follow the marching, jumping GeeGee. 


Little Red required very little coaxing to join the fun. 
I have a feeling the finished product will catch her rolling her eyes. 
She seemed to think that was required for film. 



Here's the three of us enjoying our efforts! 



Little did either little star anticipate.....
They received actual MONEY for their participation in this fun! 
MORE MONEY than they had ever seen before!!!
Moral #1? Do what you LUV the reward follow.


Next is my turn! 
A quick-change and I get my turn on the green screen backdrop. 
We are all in agreement that the denim jumper I concocted will show up.
The film crew has never seen anything quite like it. 
There are some pretty hilarious moments as we get underway. 
Hopefully all of those are left to our memory. 
A quick composite of the nonsense would make a fun personal blooper reel!  




Here's a couple shots for my mom & dad to print off for their fridge! 





And that was the conclusion to our morning 'work.' 
What comes next?
PLAY TIME! 
While waiting for the lunch chow to arrive, the littles got to play with the green screen. 
As far as I know this was literally just for super fun. 
I don't think any of this will make it into our finished project. 

That's Kathleen's grand-daughter, who was a production assistant, having fun. 
Mr. Eyelashes is wearing an adult green suit.
What an opportunity for each of them! 


After lunch we had our next child-actor arrive to get filmed. 
This is four year old Esther. 
She looks slightly shy in this still, but trust me. 
She was the VERY best at taking direction from me. 

Once she got warmed up -- there was no stopping her! 


The afternoon was spent with me filming two 'teacher talks' about the songs we filmed. 



This is the last of my DIVA DEBBIE DAY Film shoot. 
Me. 
Checking back through the footage, for last minute corrections. 
Not yet ready for prime time reality series... but such fun!


Here's our crew. 
Needed each and every.single.person. 

****Taking ALLLLLL of these photos is the unsung hero of the day. 
My daughter Sarah. 
She gets all of the credit for my hair and make up, 
AND served as photographer to document the occasion.
I guess that makes these my Village. 
The VILLAGE people! 


Photo: It 'a a wrap!

How many women does it take to teach me about my iPhone? 
We are attempting to send the photo above to email addresses. 
Alas. Something about a password has gotten gummed up? 
In any case. I LUV LUV LUV this photo! 
These are the two women who have made the entire day possible. 
From left. Kathleen of ZB and Cherie of Horizons. 


This is the final glimpse of Ohio gray as we pulled out of the driveway. 
Horizons. 
What a true treasure to PLAY at your barn! 


One final p.s. to the story. 
You may have seen the transformation of the denim jumper a la my paint brush. 
Turns out that I also needed to 'repaint' my shoes. 
They couldn't have any green showing. 
So here's the before and after shot of the shoes.
Everything that was originally green got painted orange. 
BTW: these are my "MONA" hand painted beauties.
I only get credit for the repaint. 

Photo: Some people shine their shoes.... I needed to repaint mine to be ready for the green screen. No green could be showing!

So here's one more Post Script. 
Mom: click on this link to see the Peeps dancing.
This after they were all finished. 
Scott came to get them and we were just having FUN!  


Thanks for your support! I am so appreciative of your pins!

Thanks for your support! I am so appreciative of your pins!
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