Hi Friends,
Just wanted to send out a quick post to let you in on some exciting news.
The last few weeks we have been in talks with Eric Hardman, from Other Door Entertainment about a brand refresh.
Our discussions led us to artist Joshua Perry, and we are so happy to get to work with this very talented illustrator/animator.
The first step of the refresh is an updated version of Billy Gorilly.
Make sure to Like us on Facebook so you can stay up to date on Billy’s new look and get sneak peeks of Billy along the way.
Until Next Time…
Keep Smiling, Singing, and Learning
And You Can Make Everyday
Simply Splendiferous!
We’re Gonna Count Some Money
During the PreK-G1 years students are working toward:
- Being able to identify a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, and dollar
- Ability to correctly choose coins that are the same when in a group
- Knowing how many pennies make a nickel
- Knowing how many nickels make a dime
- Knowing how many nickels make a quarter
- Knowing how many quarters make a dollar
- Understanding money buys things
One way to start learning about money is to sing a song. Billy Gorilly’s song “Counting Money To A Beat” will help children learn about pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollars.
Start your money lesson by having the children sing along to the song. Or sing along to the song as you drive the kids around in the mini-van. The repetition and rhythm of the song helps children remember the names of coins and how the words are pronounced. This makes it a great addition for ESL learners.
Listen to Counting Money To A Beat
[mp3-jplayer tracks=”Counting Money To A Beat@http://billygorilly.com/Media/counting-money-to-a-beat_sample.mp3
” captions=”by Billy Gorilly;”]
Buy song at Amazon • CdBaby • iTunes
Lyrics – Counting Money To A Beat
Money! Money! We’re gonna count some money.
Money! Money! We’re gonna count some money.
Five Pennies. Five Pennies. Five Pennies make a Nickel.
Five Pennies. Five Pennies. Five Pennies make a Nickel.
Two Nickels. Two Nickels. Two Nickels make a Dime.
Two Nickels. Two Nickels. Two Nickels make a Dime.
Five Nickels. Five Nickels. Five Nickels make a Quarter.
Five Nickels. Five Nickels. Five Nickels make a Quarter.
Four Quarters. Four Quarters. Four Quarters make a Dollar.
Four Quarters. Four Quarters. Four Quarters make a Dollar.
Money! Money! We just counted money.
Money! Money! We just counted money.
Teaching Children to differentiate Between the 4 standard U.S. Coins
Get out your change jar and have the children look at the different coins. Discuss with them how the coins are different from each other. Quarters are bigger than dimes, pennies are a different color, dimes are small…
Being able to identify and differentiate between the coins is the beginning of learning how to count money.
Printable Money Matching Worksheets
Learn more about Billy Gorilly’s Rockin’ The SchoolHouse learning songs and printable eBooks click Here
For more information about Billy Gorilly visit our website BillyGorilly.com
Until Next Time…
Keep Smiling, Singing, and Learning
And You Can Make Everyday
Simply Splendiferous!
Super Easy Baked Apple Recipe
Hello friends,
I made some baked apple slices today and I thought I would share the recipe with you.
These baked apples are so quick and easy to make. They cook in the microwave in only 2 minutes. They are perfect for an afternoon snack, my daughter loves them. If you want the apples really mushy then just cook a bit longer. I like mine to have a teeny tiny bit of firmness.
This recipe makes one serving, but you could easily increase the amounts to make more. From start to finish it only took me 5 minutes to make, and that included taking pictures. I hope you enjoy!
Until Next Time…
Keep Smiling, Singing, and Learning
And You Can Make Everyday
Simply Splendiferous!
and the Billy Gorilly Crew
Happy Mother’s Day to all those that are Mom’s!
To those that have children or, been a
mama to someone who needed you.
Enjoy Your Special Day!
Are you looking for a May coloring page?
We have one for you right here.
Months of the Year Song
[mp3-jplayer tracks=”Months of the Year@http://www.billygorilly.com/activities-printables/seasons/3/audio/months-of-the-year-clip.mp3″ captions=”by Billy Gorilly;”]
Buy Months of the Year song at Amazon • CdBaby • iTunes
Months of the Year Video
Quick Links:
Get all 12 months of coloring pages
Visit our website for more Spring activities and printable coloring pages.
BillyGorilly.com Songs, Stories, & Activities for Early Learning
Until Next Time…
Keep Smiling, Singing, and Learning
And You Can Make Everyday
Simply Splendiferous!
and the Billy Gorilly Crew
April is National Frog Month
Lets have some fun learning about frogs!
10 Facts About Frogs
- Frogs belong to a group called vertebrates (animals with backbones) known as amphibians.
- Frogs eat insects
- Frogs have flipper (webbed) feet.
- Frogs have strong back legs that help them jump and hop
- They start out as pollywogs.
- Frogs lay their eggs in ponds and bogs.
- Many frogs are found in warmer climates
- They sit on stones and logs
- They usually don’t have scales
- Most frogs have sticky tongues.
DID YOU KNOW:
When a frog swallows a meal, his bulgy eyeballs will close and go down into his head! This is because the eyeballs apply pressure and actually push a frog’s meal down his throat. “YUM”
Song About Frogs
A fun song to teach children facts about frogs. They will learn about the environment that frogs live in, what they eat, their appearance, and more. The extremely smart Owlton W. Hootley sings this song.
In the album version, before Owlton begins singing he talks with Billy Gorilly about wanting to be “COOL”. Billy helps him understand that it’s OK to be smart and “kind of nerdy”.
[mp3-jplayer tracks=”Hopping Toads and Jumping Frogs (clip)@http://billygorilly.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Hopping-Toads-and-Jumping-Frogs-clip.mp3
” captions=”Billy Gorilly”]
Buy Hopping Toads and Jumping Frogs @ Amazon • CdBaby • iTunes
Activities
Hop and Jump: This is a great way for the kids to burn off a little energy.
Have the children hop straight up into the air every time they hear “HOP” or “JUMP” while listening to the HOPPING TOADS AND JUMPING FROGS song. This activity is sure to get a few giggles, gets the kids moving, and helps them listen for key words.
Musical Lily Pads: Create lily pads for the kids to sit on. Draw a lily pad on green construction paper, cutout and laminate if desired. Place on floor so the kids can sit on them. Now you can play musical lily pads. (play just like musical chairs).
Color A Picture
F is for Frogs
Make a Tasty Treat: Frog Theme Recipe
Help the Frog Make His Way Through the Maze
Print
To learn more about Billy Gorilly visit our website BillyGorilly.com
Until Next Time…
Keep Smiling, Singing, and Learning
And You Can Make Everyday
Simply Splendiferous!
and the Billy Gorilly Crew
April Showers Bring May Flowers
Springtime Activities
Learn the Names of the Four Seasons
Winter • Spring • Summer • Fall
Listen to the story of the Season Sisters
[mp3-jplayer tracks=”Season Sisters (sample clip)@http://www.billygorilly.com/Media/SeasonSisters-SampleClip_BillyGorilly.mp3″ captions=”by Billy Gorilly;”]
Buy Season Sisters @ Amazon • CdBaby • iTunes
Take A Springtime Walk
Get the kids outdoors and go for a springtime walk.
While you are walking discuss all the different things you might see during spring. Trees with budding leaves, flowers popping up out of the ground, or baby animals. Look up into the sky and ask the children if they see any clouds? Is it sunny, cloudy, dark, or rainy?
Does it feel cold or warm? Have the children count all the different color flowers they see? This is a good time to let the children/child know they are using their senses when they smell the flower fragrance or see the colors.
Look for ladybugs, birds, and spiders.
Carry a piece of paper or a printed check off sheet, and a pencil. Write down what you see. A clip board makes it easier to write as you take your nature walk.
Nature Walk Check Off Sheet
Color A Picture
Coloring never goes out of style.
Even very young children can grasp a crayon and make a mark on paper. It might look like scribbles to you, but your child is learning very valuable skills.
Coloring helps children develop hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills. These two skills are essential to later learn how to hold a pen and write, tie a shoelace, hold a fork to eat, or get dressed on your own.
Themed coloring pages have the added bonus of teaching a concept, or how to spell a word, all while having fun.
April Showers Coloring page
Get all 12
“MONTHS OF THE YEAR” coloring pages.
Grow a Plant From Seed
Children are fascinated when they see plants grow from seeds or cuttings.
Materials Needed:
- Seeds (seeds from an orange, apple, grapefruit, lemon, or lime)
- Shallow dish of water
- Planters (can use paper cups, poke a few holes in the bottom for drainage).
- Potting soil
Directions:
Soak seeds from an orange, apple, grapefruit, lemon, or lime in water for a day or two. Fill several planters with potting soil and place three or four seeds in each one about half an inch deep. Water the seeds, place the pots in a sunny spot, and watch for the green shoots to grow.
Quick Links:
>Get more Spring Activities and Coloring Pages
>Teaching Children About the Five Senses
>Flower Coloring Page, Craft, & Song
To learn more about Billy Gorilly visit our website BillyGorilly.com
Until Next Time…
Keep Smiling, Singing, and Learning
And You Can Make Everyday
Simply Splendiferous!
and the Billy Gorilly Crew
Springtime Coloring Pages
We have an Easter Bunny coloring page for you. I think he’s pretty cute, I hope you do too!
You can find more free spring coloring pages and activities on our website here.
Print Coloring Page
Spring is Here and it Makes Me Happy
Don’t you just love spring? I do. I love all the different flowers starting to bloom in our yard and neighborhood. Spring is a great time to teach children about different types flowers.
Here are a few ways for you to bring flower education into the classroom.
Listen to a song about Flowers
Listen to Billy Gorilly’s friend Betty Bat sing the song Flowers
[mp3-jplayer tracks=”Flowers@http://www.billygorilly.com/activities-printables/seasons/2/audio/Flowers-promo.mp3″ captions=”by Billy Gorilly and Betty Bat;”]
Buy Flowers song here Amazon • CdBaby • iTunes
Color a Picture with Flowers
Get out the crayons and let the kiddos color as they listen to music.
If you are looking for a flower art project that includes coloring, cutting, and gluing you might enjoy this 3-D flower art project.
Click button to Print Tulip Coloring Page
White Carnation Science Project
Even though it was a very long time ago, I still remember doing this in class when I was in kindergarten. I remember how excited I got when the flower started changing colors. I also remember teaching my friends this trick when I was in 7th grade and we had a fund-raiser selling carnations. Learn more about the science behind it here.
Directions:
- Fill a glass one-half full with water. Add around 20-30 drops of red, blue, green, or yellow food coloring to the water.
- Take a white carnation and carefully cut the stem at an angle. Kids will need help with this because you should use sharp scissors or a knife to do this.
- Immediately put the stem into the water. Set aside and wait for the magic to happen. It usually takes a few hours before you will start seeing a color change. Look at your flower each day and take note of the changes.
Make a Flower Themed Pencil Topper
This flower pencil topper is easy to make and fun to use. I thought it was so cute I put it in my wall organizer above my desk at the Billy Gorilly headquarters.
Supplies Needed:
- 2 different sizes of heart-shaped punches
- 2 different colors of construction paper
- Glue
- Tape
- 1 Pipe cleaner
- Glitter glue or sequins
Directions:
- Punch 4 large hearts and 4 small hearts (use the picture above for example)
- Cut a square out of one color of paper. Mine was 3″x3″.
- Glue the 4 large hearts in the center of the square of paper.
Have the points of the heart touching each other. - Glue the small hearts on top of the larger hearts.
- Add glitter glue or gem on center of flower
- Cut around the square paper with hearts to shape the flower.
- Take a pipe cleaner and wrap one end around pencil as shown in picture. Leave some extra at the top. Tape pipe cleaner to back of flower. If you want both sides to be pretty, make 2 flowers and tape one to the back to cover the tape and pipe cleaner.
Take the Kids on a Nature Walk
Go on a nature walk with the kids. Discuss the types and colors of the different flowers you see on your walk. Ask questions… Are these BIG flowers, little flowers, tough flowers, or delicate flowers. Do you see any flowers on a vine? Does the flower smell pretty, stinky, or not at all?
This is also a good time to talk about things you might see during different seasons. What do the plants look like during spring. Are the leaves on trees just budding and turning green? Or, are they changing to red, yellow, brown and starting to fall off.
Get more SPRING activities click here
To learn more about Billy Gorilly visit our website BillyGorilly.com
Until Next Time…
Keep Smiling, Singing, and Learning
And You Can Make Everyday
Simply Splendiferous!
and the Billy Gorilly Crew
Enjoy Your Day!
