Readers Who Need Readers: Teaching ESL to Older Kids

Bill "Nine Fingers" Childs passed on an e-mail he received from a reader of his asking for his help...
I have traveled from my native Minnesota (still reading an online offering of your monthly Parent articles), and I now find myself in the arctic climes of Moscow - teaching english to juniors (age 7 - 10) and pre-teens (age 10 - 13). I am starting with british-based textbooks that are not well conceived from my perspective. It is too cerebral an approach to simple introduction of alphabet and phonics. Can you recommend some recordings of good basic ABC songs? What of the old camp songs for young children (ears hang low, hand shoulders knees toes, etc.) The pre-teens are simply hellions. I don't know what to do with them. Music would give them an outlet for all their energy and desire to "perform". But again, what is appropriate or accessible for them? For them, it needs to be something that isn't "childish", if you understand that. It is so difficult... for them - for me, in a strange country and city.
Well, I've got some suggestions after the jump, but would love for you to suggest the ones I've missed...

Librarians and Kids Music: A Survey

We are committed library users in our household -- four cards! -- so it's not surprising that there are a few CDs scattered amongst the books we borrow from our local library system. Not so many kids' music CDs -- we have plenty, far more than all but the most devoted library system could hope or want to purchase -- but early on, before this site was but a twinkle in my eye, I discovered some artists there -- my first spins of Dan Zanes and Justin Roberts disks, for example, came courtesy of the library. Now that I spend a lot more time thinking about kids music, not only from a critic's perspective but also from a business perspective, I thought it would be interesting to survey some librarians on kids music in their libraries. The survey is a little old (OK, waay old, like, last year), but I think the answers still hold up. I've kept the responses anonymous, though I should note that librarian/blogger Warren Truitt participated -- I think finding at least one of his responses shouldn't be too hard. If there are any trends in the responses, it's that there are no trends. The respondents were all over the map in terms of their favorites, how the learn about music, and how they purchase music. If they agreed on anything, it's that patron requests are taken very seriously. (So go now and ask your library system to get some more great kids music.) Thanks to all the librarians who participated, and to all of them who fight the good kids music fight week in, week out. Zooglobble: What is the internal process your library system uses to decide which kids and family music CDs to acquire?

All This, And I Review Books, Too

CybilsLarge.jpgI've been a fan of the Cybils Awards ever since they were first announced. They do for children's books what the Fids and Kamily Awards do for kids music -- use the talents of a bunch of people who spend a lot of time thinking and writing about that particular art form to come up with a consensus list of the best of the year. Well, now I'm very much a part of it on the books side, too. That's right, I'm one of the judges for the 2008 Cybils. Specifically, I'm a Round II judge in the Fiction Picture Book category. What that means is that once the Round I Panelists narrow the nominations down to 5 or so of the best fiction picture books of they, I'll be one of the judges picking the eventual winner. Why me? Well, I gotta tell you, our family's got 4 library cards and we're not afraid to use 'em. Mo Willems, P.D. Eastman, Ezra Jack Keats -- we read 'em all. Little Boy Blue is in prime picture book age (he's currently got a slightly weird attraction to Jez Allborough's Cuddly Duddley), and Miss Mary Mack has no problem downshifting and going back to some picture book favorites. So if there was any category made for me, this is it. Anyway, nominations open October 1 -- anyone can nominate a book -- and I'll be sure to remind you...

Austin Kiddie Limits 2008 Preview: The Jimmies

Another day, another entry in my ongoing series of previews of the artists who will be playing the Austin Kiddie Limits stage at the 2008 edition of the Austin City Limits Festival. Today -- The Jimmies. (Previous artists: Buck Howdy with BB, Uncle Rock, Jambo.) First, the technical specs... -- Official Website -- Videos -- Myspace page -- Zooglobble archives, including an interview with lead Jimmy ("lead Jimmie"?) Ashley Albert. The Jimmies will rock harder than anyone else at the AKL stage next weekend with the possible exception of the Paul Green School of Rock All-Stars, and is the School of Rock bringing a giant tap-dancing robot? I didn't think so. Well, neither are the Jimmies, but they've brought one to a concert taping before, so they've got that going for them. Anyway, their debut album Make Your Own Someday features some great powerpop and a sense of humor that will greatly amuse your seven-year-old. And probably you. The Jimmies play at 3:30 Saturday and 2:30 Sunday. Bring your own tap-dancing robot. The Jimmies - "Do The Elephant" More videos, including the much-loved "Spanimals," after the jump...

Yay, Portland! (Video: "What Goes On" - Elizabeth Mitchell

Remember last week when I begged residents up and down the West Coast for video of Elizabeth Mitchell performing on her kids music swing up the coast? Well, I'd completely forgotten she was also playing the Greasy Kid Stuff -curated Tiny TBA Festival in Portland. And luckily, Beth Blenz-Clucas was on the case. Thanks, Beth! I totally want to learn that violin part. Elizabeth Mitchell - "What Goes On" (Live)