Rock and Roll (and Alexa) Save the Day

Posted on May 14, 2019 by Jennie

When there’s something wrong

In your neighborhood

Who you gonna call?  Alexa!

“Alexa, play ‘Shout’ by the Isley Brothers.”

Music is the universal language of mankind.  –Henry Wadsworth Longfellow-

Jennie

About Jennie

I have been teaching preschool for over thirty-five years. This is my passion. I believe that children have a voice, and that is the catalyst to enhance or even change the learning experience. Emergent curriculum opens young minds. It's the little things that happen in the classroom that are most important and exciting. That's what I write about. I was a live guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show. I am highlighted in the seventh edition of Jim Trelease's million-copy bestselling book, "The Read-Aloud Handbook" because of my reading to children. My class has designed quilts that hang as permanent displays at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, the Fisher House at the Boston VA Hospital, and the Massachusetts State House in Boston.
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41 Responses to Rock and Roll (and Alexa) Save the Day

  1. Opher says:
    May 14, 2019 at 9:01 am

    Yeah! Shout! You can’t beat a good slice of 60s R&B!

    Reply
  2. John W. Howell says:
    May 14, 2019 at 9:52 am

    Reminds me of the Whisky A-Go-Go in Chicago. Must have played “shout” a hundred times each night. Great dance song.

    Reply
    • Jennie says:
      May 14, 2019 at 6:23 pm

      Whiskey A-Go-Go. Oh, I wish I’d been there! Were you? I was a teenager in the 60’s, and my mother would never have let me go to a Chicago night club. But, when James Brown came to perform in Huntington, WV (small, southern city where I was born and raised), I talked her into it. I was 14, too young to drive. I went with two friends, and the concert was in a huge auditorium. The house was packed, and we were the only white people at the concert. Best night ever!! And one of the best songs. No wonder my preschoolers love it. Thanks, John.

      Reply
      • John W. Howell says:
        May 14, 2019 at 9:10 pm

        Yes I was there in the 60’s. I had graduated from college and was on a work trip. Man did we have fun. Also Night of a 1000 dances was played as well.

      • Jennie says:
        May 14, 2019 at 10:19 pm

        Oh, just rub it in, John. I am beyond jealous. 🙂 The only other time I have been overwhelmed with jealousy (really, and I mean ever) was when a friend, Marie, casually (that’s the key word) told me she had visited her friend in England. Her friend wanted to go to The Cave where the Beatles had become popular. Marie told me she really wasn’t interested, but went along. She didn’t care about that music. To their surprise, the Beatles were playing in The Cave that night. And there I was, hearing this story at a lovely, high end cocktail party. All I could do was clench my teeth and grit out a smile. I feel the same way with your story. I mean that in the best of ways. Night of 1000 Dances, yes!! Oh, please tell me (and your readers) more stories about Whisky A-Go-Go. I’m not the lone soul who would love this. Tiny could/would be the bouncer. Apologies for a long response. Best to you, John.

      • John W. Howell says:
        May 15, 2019 at 9:56 am

        I loved your response. We stayed until the bouncers threw us out at 4:00 am. Had a meeting with my boss at 6:30. I don’t know how I got it together but knew I was still high. Of course I was only 23 at the time, so could bounce back quickly. What good times worth remembering. My partner in crime missed the opening session of the general meeting. The boss was furious since his boss noticed the absence. He then went on to blame me for letting my partner go to bed. Ha haha.

      • Jennie says:
        May 15, 2019 at 10:17 am

        I love it!! 😀

  3. Darlene says:
    May 14, 2019 at 10:27 am

    That’s a good one. The other one is I Feel Good. I used to use that one for my kids when we needed a pick me up. Of course we didn’t have Alexa then.

    Reply
    • Jennie says:
      May 14, 2019 at 6:32 pm

      Yes!! That is a great song, Darlene. Music is a tonic, it is so important. We only use Alexa for music. So when the moment needs a song, Alexa is a good thing. Thank you, Darlene!

      Reply
  6. beetleypete says:
    May 14, 2019 at 12:55 pm

    I am resisting using a ‘digital assistant’ myself, but I can see they have their uses in the classroom. Besides, the kids all probably have them at home! 🙂
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Reply
    • Jennie says:
      May 14, 2019 at 10:56 pm

      We only use it for playing music at rest time, and occasionally other requests (like Shout). I would never want one at home, but this one at school eliminates putting the CD into the player, etc. Yes, the kids probably have them at home. Best to you, Pete.

      Reply
  7. robbiesinspiration says:
    May 14, 2019 at 1:13 pm

    This is so cute, Jennie.

    Reply
  8. Dan Antion says:
    May 14, 2019 at 1:19 pm

    “A little bit louder now…a little bit louder now…”

    Reply
  9. wordsfromanneli says:
    May 14, 2019 at 2:08 pm

    They’re having a blast!

    Reply
  10. Elizabeth says:
    May 14, 2019 at 3:48 pm

    Hope you have control of Alexa. I can imagine wonderful chaos in the hands of the kids.

    Reply
  11. Anne Copeland says:
    May 14, 2019 at 5:35 pm

    So adorable! So full of life and joy! Thank you once again, Jennie, for giving the children things they will remember all their lives.

    Reply
  12. Liz Gauffreau says:
    May 14, 2019 at 6:52 pm

    I could use some of that at my place of employment! Being a responsible adult isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Oh, to dance with gay abandon!

    Reply
  13. Marcia Strykowski says:
    May 14, 2019 at 7:13 pm

    Aww, they look like they’re having so much fun!

    Reply
  14. Teagan R. Geneviene says:
    May 15, 2019 at 10:06 am

    Oh, I can imagine the scene! What energy — what fun! Thanks for the morning boost, Jennie. Hugs on the wing!

    Reply
  15. D. Wallace Peach says:
    May 15, 2019 at 1:04 pm

    That looks like fun! Nothing like music to snap us out of whatever mood we’re in. 🙂

    Reply
    • Jennie says:
      May 15, 2019 at 7:01 pm

      Exactly! Children need it, too. How wonderful that they adore this song, and they don’t know it’s really, really old. Music is timeless!

      Reply
  16. abbiosbiston says:
    May 16, 2019 at 10:30 am

    My little boy loves to ask Alexa to play things but she doesn’t always understand him and he gets so annoyed with her!

    Reply
  17. insearchofitall says:
    May 16, 2019 at 11:20 pm

    I love this way you play with the kids. It doesn’t happen in most preschools you know. You are a winner in that department.

    Reply
    • Jennie says:
      May 17, 2019 at 6:35 am

      When I hollered for Alexa to play the song, I thought “I would never be allowed to do this in public school”, and that made me sad for those kids. Play is their work. Mine, too. Thank you for your kind words, Marlene. 😊

      Reply

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