Reading, Writing, & Rhyming

I'm proud to say that this year, the Readin', Writin' and Rhymin' program has partnered with the Academy for Character Education at Russell Sage College, Rensselear County Executive Kathy Jimino's office, and Mayor John McDonald of Cohoes to take a strong stand against a growing trend in America-BULLYING.

I took a little trip today to the little town of Northville, NY for the Readin', Writin' and Rhymin' Tour.  It's a nice little town near beautiful Lake Sacandaga.  And I met some REALLY nice little residents-first graders to be exact!

Do you know the old saying, "you had to be there to appreciate it"?  This is one of those times.  In fact, every experience I have in these classrooms has to be seen to be believed.  I'm almost speechless when I talk about Mrs. Compton's class at Boght Elementary School

Now I feel guilty.  Really guilty!  I get hand drawn thank you cards many times from classes on the Reading Writing and Writing Tour, and very rarely get a chance to show them to people or to acknowledge them in any way.  Well, thanks to the blogosphere, I can change that!

I will admit, I wasn't TOTALLY into the holiday spirit until I met some great kids and a great teacher over at the Yates Magnet School in Schenectady!  They're a group that KNOWS what they like-especially when it comes to a list for Santa!

Today I'm off on another Readin', Writin, and Rhymin' Tour .  I'm going to Yates Magnet School in Schenectady.  This is a return visit for me.  Always have a good time there.  But this time I'm trying a grand experiment!

I love doing this Readin' Writin and Rhymin' School Tour.  Have I ever mentioned that before?  Yea, I think so!  I've loved every song I've done with every class.  There's no grading system! They're ALL greatest hits, in my book.  So here's one that continues to make me giggle

As I continue the Readin', Writin', and Rhymin' "Don't Be A Bully" tour, I had to make a return appearance at Arongen Elementary School in Clifton Park.  And once again, they didn't disappoint!

Many people might think to themselves, " glad those nasty hurricanes are now  a memory".  Not if you drive out to places like Schoharie County.  The need is still great, trust me.  All the more reason to replay a phenomenal song written by kids in the thick of it all.

As you may or may not know, October is Anti-Bullying Awareness Month.  And thru my connection with the Academy for Character Education at Russell Sage College we have been very active in trying to spread the word (thru song!)  I think the little ditty that these kids created will stick in your head for a very long time!

First I would like to thank Jacqueline DeChiaro of Van Schaick Elementary School in Cohoes for kindly allowing me to change the schedule around to allow this, but I thought this needed to be done.  Schoharie needs a pick me up after all of the flooding, so I am throwing the keyboard in the car and going this Friday!

I had a fantastic experience with the kids from Charlton Heights Elementary School last Friday.  Mrs. Brooks, being the equally fantastic teacher, invited me this early in the year to help kick off a huge anti-bullying campaign that I am involved with, and I certainly appreciated it!  You can listen to the results below!