CELEBRATE! EDUCATE! APPRECIATE!!!
Another MILESTONE!
Another of Debbie's Ditties goes DIGITAL!!
If you've heard only one of my original songs for children, its quite possibly:
"You're Wonderful."
This anthem of self-esteem and affirmation is from my very first recording.
It came to life on this planet on a cassette tape!
Remember cassette tapes?
This is year #17 as 'music-lady'..... I go way back!
From the cassette it was recreated onto the CD format.
From there its then been featured on my DVD --
and premiered as my very first PICTURE BOOK!
DRUMROLL...... TODAY it exists as an Mp3 in a zipped file!
Available for instant purchase and download with one click to
Teachers Pay Teachers.
Children across the country have create their own Art responses inspired by my quilted illustrations.
Cooperative Kindergarten Quilt |
Kindergarten Quilt Squares |
The response is from the listener. "You think I'm wonderful?" All of the self-doubts, contradictions, defeated, dispirited angst that we all feel at times. "You think I'm marvelous...... I can't write my name." You think I'm beautiful? Who me? What with my glasses and my awkward gait? How can I be 'wonderful' if I am so different? So lonely. So behind my peers. So left on the sidelines when teams are chosen.
Debbie Clement Makes a School Visit to share "You're Wonderful" Comparing Original Quilts to Finished Book |
But we as teachers and parents and grands and library-people, and troop leaders and camp counselors continue with our words of affirmation and encouragement. Then one day that child sense their gen-u-ine worth and merit. "Hey, I'm really good at play-doh! I make an awesome friend." Soon our listener is telling their buddies, "I think YOU'RE wonderful."
Geometric Quilt Squares in Response to "You're Wonderful" in Kindergarten |
Before you know it, buckets-are-filled. Affirmation flows. Children make progress. Teachers are delighted. Parents cry. Grandparents weep. We conclude together......"That means we're wonderful." Those same six words of affirmation are repeated in each of six verses. Very young children are singing along quite quickly. Mature students are feeling all warm and fuzzy.
School Visit Welcome in Quilt Design for "You're Wonderful" |
Louisiana Fan Club of Little Readers Exploring Debbie Clement Picture Books |
It is the words of the song that make it so memorable. They are simple. They are repetitive. They are affirming. Here is the evidence in kindergarten 'invented spelling' from an English language learner. To get the whole story of how Hajar learned my song you'll have to click back to this earlier article. Her brilliant teacher used my song as the basis of their entire classroom culture -- uniting children from around the world under one banner of acceptance.
Here's a message I received on FB just last week, following my presentations at the Florida AEYC annual conference:
"I bought a book this weekend called You're Wonderful,written/sung by Debbie Clement. It is truly an amazing book, simple but wonderful! When your son with aspergers is crying because he says he is stupid and just wants to be normal it breaks your heart! I read him this book the night I got home and every night since he has told me that he knows he is wonderful! He also told me that he almost cried when I was reading it to him! I am so thankful to have met Debbie this weekend and that she read/sung this book in the workshop I was in! Amazing what an impact a book can have.'"
Debbie Clement's School Visit in Florida Kindergarten |
Debbie Clement's on TpT! |
-- Debbie --
Love all your posts and creations!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Lisa. I am so grateful for comments of support. Hope that your week is filled with joy!
DeleteDebbie
I'm going to TpT now to download your song! You are an inspiration!
ReplyDelete*Karen* You are now an official ambassador of my song!!!! Since all of my work is self-published and that makes me the entire marketing department. Every additional person who can share this work of mine with the wider world sends out more ripples of affirmation. Thanks from the bottom of my heart!
DeleteDebbie
Love, love, love your awesomeness! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou are all set up for the huge giveaway at Rockin' Teacher Materials! Thanks so much for offering a product! Make sure to let your readers know!
Thanks again!
Hilary
Rockin' Teacher Materials
Hilary!! It's the very best of the mutual admiration societies. Thanks for including with all of the other amazing projects.
DeleteDebbie
Rockin Teachers sent me! Thanks for participating in this giveaway!
ReplyDeleteCaseyCanion@aol.com
My Rockin' friends are so welcome here. Thanks for letting me know Casey.
DeleteDebbie
Rockin Teachers sent me!! Thanks for participating!!
ReplyDeleteMelissa
mizemelissa@gmail.com