Oh, I'm so glad you're here! If you made it from my old blogsite, would you please leave a comment? I don't normally ask for comments, but I'm a little nervous about all of this. I was going to wait to invite everyone over to Typepad until I had the place cleaned up a bit--but as the saying goes--"People come to see YOU, not your house." Right? At least I HOPE that's the case with you, because it's going to take a while to get this place in shape.
Blogger wouldn't let me post my Works for Me Wednesday video without covering half of my text-so I've made the plunge today. Thanks so much to Jules at Everyday Mommy for helping me move my pink background and toile' header. At least I've got the welcome-mat out!
Alright--now onto my Works for Me Wednesday idea.
TEACH YOUR KIDS THE PRESIDENTS!
One of my favorite parts of homeschooling over the years has been all of the classical chants that we've learned. Chanting is an intergral part of the grammar phase of Classical education and my kids have learned a plethora of information this way--the seven continents (sung to the tune of London Bridges,) the water cycle (sung to the tune of O My Darlin',) and tons more. Things that couldn't easily be set to music were chanted out. I created this chant of the 43 (then 41) presidents, ten years ago when I was teaching my older two children--and it was so catchy that even my then-3-year-old-son learned them. (Oh and wasn't he cute reciting all of them with his little lisp.)
I realized this past school year that my youngest student had never learned them and so I made it a summer goal to GET THE JOB DONE! This time, my computer-techno-son helped us by downloading all of the pictures of the presidents off of Wikipedia, and then he set the chant to video.
Chanting really works for us! Hope it works for you too.
p.s. It really pained me to let everyone in the blogosphere hear my twangy voice--but that's just how much I love y'all. So won't you please show the link-love back by changing my link in your template to www.thisonesforthegirls.typepad.com. And as Southerners always say at the end of the call--"Appreciatcha!"
Hey, Michelle. Your new pad is really groovy! I like the shiver-me-timbers Calvin "Cool"idge!!
Here's one for ya- to the tune of "Yankee Doodle Dandy"
There are 7 continents
And these are what they are:
Africa, Australia, Antarctica and Asia
North and South America
and Europe-that's all seven.
People from all continents
Will be with us in Heaven!
A little Reformed chanting, if you will!
Posted by: Sherri W | July 26, 2006 at 11:57 AM
I found ya! I'm sure it'll be just gorgeous when you get the place spiffed up a bit. But you know we don't come here for the view, but the hospitality! :-)
Great idea too!
Posted by: Addie | July 26, 2006 at 11:58 AM
I like the new site! I've got you updated in my bloglines, too.
I like the Presidents chant. What a great idea. I am really impressed that your kids know all of them. I never actually memorized all of them, so your kids have me beat on that.
Back in the day, I learned a great song for remembering the order of the books in the Bible. It goes: Genesis, Exodus, Levi-ti-cus... Oh, I guess the lyrics won't do you much good, will they? Ha ha, I crack myself up sometimes. Anyhoo, I now hear the song in my head whenever I try to say the books in order, or when I'm trying to remember if Habbakuk comes before or after Nahum.
Posted by: the "other" Sarah | July 26, 2006 at 11:59 AM
Hi Michelle,
I don't ever leave comments but I have been reading and enjoying your blog for a while. I found you through the chf board a while back. I also checked out your counting points blog, it is very encouraging as I am also trying to lose weight. Thanks for blogging!
Posted by: Mary Ann Woods | July 26, 2006 at 12:26 PM
girl, this is the first time I've been able to see your beautiful toile' header - it is gorgeous! I hope typepad will work out better for you, too. I'm still with blogger, but we'll see.
Posted by: janiners | July 26, 2006 at 12:30 PM
I made it! Everything looks great!
Posted by: Shannon @ Rocks in my Dryer | July 26, 2006 at 12:34 PM
And the chant...well, you're adorable.
Posted by: Shannon @ Rocks in my Dryer | July 26, 2006 at 12:35 PM
I think we'll be back to benefit from your work in putting together the photos and chant - great idea! My kids and I might not memorize it, but I'm going to make sure they never say, "Who was he?" when somebody mentions the name of an obscure president.
Posted by: KimC | July 26, 2006 at 01:25 PM
Hey Michelle, I made it over. Thanks, the tea was great, I'll bring the pie next time! Tootle-loo!
Posted by: Angie | July 26, 2006 at 02:05 PM
The place looks spiffy even if there are a few boxes that still need to be unpacked! This chant is great and I'm going to use it with my girls. I will need to make a mommy "cheat sheet" since I never learned the Presidents when I was a kid and there were far fewer back then!
Posted by: Kelley | July 26, 2006 at 02:39 PM
Hey Michelle! I'm back from Arkansas and just checked in to find your new "home." So - I made it and you can mark me down!
;>)
Linda
Posted by: Linda A | July 26, 2006 at 04:28 PM
How thrilling! I'm here and...
I'LL BE BACK...(said ala Arnold)
Posted by: Rebekah | July 26, 2006 at 05:42 PM
You made it!
Posted by: Jules | July 26, 2006 at 05:48 PM
I'm so glad you did this. We homeschool and will be learning about the presidents this year. Thanks for the great tip!
Posted by: HeartsDesire | July 26, 2006 at 06:00 PM
Looks great! Are you going to republish previous posts, or keep the archive at the old site?
Posted by: Katherine | July 26, 2006 at 08:48 PM
Love your new place! Your video worked for me on blogger this morning, but I was at work and couldn't comment. Great idea! (Both the move and the chant)
Posted by: Brenda | July 26, 2006 at 08:50 PM
I loved hearing your voice Michelle...you're 'real' now! Thanks for going to the work of setting up the video as well as recording the rhythm...that really helped and I'm excited to use chanting versus singing (for memorization) for some variety. Thanks for a wonderful blog.
Posted by: Neighbor Jane | July 27, 2006 at 05:39 AM
This is such a great idea! I'll definitely be using it with my sweet three, too.
Great new blog home, too. Don't worry about it not being ready in your mind. Inviting people over is the important thing. No one wants to be in their new digs all alone!!
Posted by: peach | July 27, 2006 at 08:29 AM
This is a great idea, Michelle! I don't know all the presidents, but you've inspired me to teach my son, and learn them myself along the way.
Love the new digs, too!
Posted by: Katrina | July 27, 2006 at 08:31 AM
I loved your presidents chant--your kids sound adorable (and smart)! Your toile' header is great too. I don't remember seeing it on your old blog, but maybe I was just to eager to get to your words. Either way, it's very pretty. Of course, I might be a little biased because it looks a lot like the valances I made for my living room. Hee hee.
Posted by: Sara | July 27, 2006 at 11:11 AM
I found you. Your "house" looks just fine. :)
Posted by: LiteratureLover | July 27, 2006 at 12:40 PM
That's pretty awesome. Love your site.
Posted by: Chappyswife | July 27, 2006 at 07:57 PM
I stumbled upon this site as I was in the process of doing some online research. I well remember the saying, "You never forget the things you sing". It's such a painless, fun way to learn.
Posted by: thebizofknowledge | August 13, 2006 at 10:49 AM