Preschool Teacher Mr. Greg Celebrates “Sweet Ella Jenkins” with CDS Community in New Songs
CDS preschool teacher Mr. Greg just released two new songs in celebration of children’s music icon Ella Jenkins. Mr. Greg’s class learned all about Ella this year to honor her 100th birthday and even lent their voices to the recording!
“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.
“Sweet Ella Jenkins” features accompaniment by Ben Sigelman and the Chapin Sisters.
CDS preschoolers celebrated Ella throughout the year, learning lessons from her interactive songs. Dr. Ty-Juana Taylor joined the class for a virtual storytime to read her children’s book, A Life of Song: The Story of Ella Jenkins, which shares the story of Ella’s life and how her career in children's music was rooted in the fight for equality. “In her songs for children, Ella did not shy away from topics like family, death, the environment, patriotism, race, faith, and culture,” Dr. Ty-Juana writes in the liner notes for the new songs. “What many do not realize is that she wrote and performed songs for nearly every topic, corresponding to nearly every occasion a child (or adult) may experience— including a visit to the zoo.”
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:
“Ella Jenkins, I’m so excited for your birthday. Invite your friends to your house for your birthday and eat cake. Eat one hundred pieces.” — Adeline
“I want to make you a rainbow drawing with lots of fireworks!” — Nina
“When I am one hundred I will jump up to space. Maybe you can jump up in space for your birthday because sometimes one hundred people jump up in space.” — Teddy
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.
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