Preschool Teacher Mr. Greg Celebrates “Sweet Ella Jenkins” with CDS Community in New Songs

“You sing a song and we sing it right back,” beloved CDS preschool teacher and songwriter Mr. Greg sings in his new song, “Sweet Ella Jenkins,” a tribute to the First Lady of Children’s Music in honor of her 100th birthday this summer. “It was about time to write a song of appreciation for this woman who has contributed so much to this world through her songs and advocacy for children and civil rights,” Mr. Greg says in the digital liner notes to the new single, released on Smithsonian Folkways. 

A GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Ella has been writing and performing songs for and with children since the 1950s, including “You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song,” “Did You Feed My Cow,” and “Miss Mary Mack.” She was one of the first folk performers to create and tour music for children. Ella incorporated music and instruments from diverse cultures, encouraging communication and understanding through singing and playing. Learn more about Ella Jenkins.

CDS preschoolers’ visit to the zoo inspired Mr. Greg to record a version of a favorite Ella Jenkins song, “I Like Animals,” with help from a student, friends, and community members. “Four-year-old zoo animal expert Lamont begins the song with a spoken intro of his favorite animals,” Mr. Greg describes. “His father, Lamar, who works at the San Francisco Zoo, led my class on a behind-the-scenes field trip around the zoo.” CDS parent Ben Sigelman played cello on the track, and Mr. Greg’s co-teacher Laura Dimonte sang harmony vocals, too.

Inspired to spread Ella’s music and message, Mr. Greg teamed up with Smithsonian Folkways to offer three free lesson plans for teachers. The series is called “Exploring and Protecting Nature with Ella Jenkins” and it includes lessons on tree types and features, animal attributes and movements, and environmental stewardship. In the series, students engage in nature walks, observational drawing, sculpting, counting, sorting, classifying, recycling, composting, dancing, singing, active listening, and sharing their thoughts and ideas.

Ella Jenkins will turn 100 on August 6, 2024! Mr. Greg’s preschoolers shared special wishes for her centennial, including: 

Please join us in honoring Ella this summer! Thank you, Mr. Greg, for teaching CDS students about Ella and infusing joy into the classroom through song.