Teacher Reviews

Your books are pure genius. I would have never thought they would work, but they're really good at the treble clef notes (the 6 you use in the book), and we're going to reinforce the bass clef notes. Very excited about your school visit!

--Randy Raab, East Hanover, New Jersey, U.S.

Dear Ms. Burch,

I want to thank you for your Freddie the Frog series. I attended a session at the NYSSMA conference about two week ago and was hooked. I have just started using Freddie with my PreK and Kindergarten classes, and they love him dearly. In fact, our concert is this week and they have requested that Freddie attend (I will be getting him a nice Christmas hat to wear for the occasion). Thank you so much, I can already see the difference this is making in my students and it has only been a few classes.

Sincerely,
Rebecca Cicelske
PreK-8 Music
Northern Chautauqua Catholic School
Dunkirk, NY

"I just wanted to thank you for coming to our class on Friday - for sharing your materials and experience with us and our students, and for introducing us to Freddie the Frog. The students really enjoyed your class and gained a lot of valuable advice from you.

I thought you would like to know that for the last three nights in a row, my boys have insisted on having the "Freddie and Eli book" read to them under the shining light of a flashlight! They love it, and have memorized all the homes of the difference characters. Thanks for sharing this with us!"

Charlene Ryan, Associate Professor, Music Education, Berklee School of Music

Sharon Burch and Freddie the Frog provided an engaging, energetic, educational program for the first graders at my school. The children were enthralled with Freddie and readily participated in the songs, finger plays, and activities that Sharon and Freddie used to teach them about Treble Clef Island. Sharon kept the 200 first graders attention as they sang, moved and participated for an entire hour. The classroom teachers were complimentary of Sharon’s teaching style and ability to keep the students engaged. The children continue to ask about Freddie and remember what they learned long after Freddie’s visit to our school. I highly recommend Sharon and Freddie the Frog.

Susan Stevenson, NBCT
Lead Elementary Music Teacher
Bell's Crossing Elementary School

Dear Sharon,

I must apologize. When I read your 'Frog Warning' that Freddie would become overwhelmingly popular....I just didn't take it seriously enough! I have since learned!

I have two students whose Mother works here are our Librarian. The Mom/Librarian - (Laurie) came in to tell me that her daughters have been HOUNDING her to get the Freddie books for the library so they could check them out!!!!! She popped in my room to say: "thanks alot" :)

Also, One of my first grade classes came in and tried to 'hi-jack' my lesson plan by insisting that I read them ANOTHER Freddie Adventure! (just so you know....they won.)

I even had an adult come in and say...he was a frustrated musician and he never learned 'music'... so I just showed him real quickly the staff...the frog - the "F" lines (home and vacation home), Eli's line (and Vacation home) and this man left (within 10 minutes) recognizing the Treble clef and 4 note locations!

What can I say? I think every child taking outside private lessons will impress their teachers with learning the locations of the notes and improving their music reading skills.

We are currently singing Freddie's version of ABC. The kids were astounded to realize that the mystery tune could be any one of three songs! It was great fun. Thanks again.

If you are ever in San Diego...or the Southern California area...please let us know....you would certainly get the red carpet treatment here at Francis Parker School!

Darleen A. Herriman
Music Specialist
Francis Parker Lower School

"I used Freddie with my kinders the other day. I received several emails from parents asking me about my puppet friend and his favorite song. Your hello Freddie song. He was a huge hit as always.Thanks Sharon!"

Laura Pope Olsen

"Thank you for introducing me to Freddie and his friends! I have a piano background and was a voice major in college. The piano keyboard is a very good visual and connecting the keyboard to the staff makes it so much easier to understand. And kids love stories! I'm at a Title 1 school (72% poverty) and they're always telling us that story telling is one of the best ways to connect with kids of poverty. I absolutely LOVE the Freddie the Frog materials!"

Melody Bean, Kansas

"I've ordered some more of your products from a Canadian supplier. I think we have everything but the posters now. The kids and I really enjoy the stories and the music, so thank you! I hope it catches on in a big way as I agree with you that music is very important. So many teachers don't feel qualified to teach it, but your materials make it easy."

Ms. Shannon Shields
Principal
Sea View Elem./Jr. Sec. School
Port Alice, B.C., V0N 2N0

"I bought all the Freddie books and extras after your presentation at the JW PEPPER session in Kansas City this summer (and we even had lunch together). I have used the Freddie series with GREAT success in my classroom. The kids are funny though--they'll say, "it's just a puppet" but they that kid will be the first to want a hug/high five. Aren't they funny?

Well, I am writing you because my 1st grader re-read "Bass Clef Monster" today. I was just going to review some, but they begged to read it again. I was thrilled. We had already talked about Halloween coming up in a few weeks. The BEES and DRAGON characters made think (along with the ELEPHANT). We discussed that the Elephant wasn't very nice or trustworthy because she kept hinting at "eat" instead of meet. However the Bees and Dragon seemed to be friendly and helpful...but they really weren't good people. I connected this to Halloween or even the horrible idea of "someone driving up to you and offering to take you to get ice cream." The kids knew what to do, but it reinforced the lesson of be careful of strangers. I thought that I should e-mail you, as some other teachers could use this idea, too.

With most of my classes, I have complete 2 books, and they are clamoring to finish the rest (hey, I need to save some for after Christmas). Finally, this may not happen everywhere, but my 4th & 5th graders have heard about Freddie and are jealous that he wasn't around when they were in K-3. They want me to bring him over so they can meet him--it's amazing what word of mouth does.

Have a great day, and thanks again for the help--keep up the good work."

Sam Crust
Kansas City

"Love the correlation with the animals and the notes. I have taught K-8 for 23 years and this THE best way to correlate notes and positions!"

Laura Johnson, South Dakota

"Gosh, I LOVE your book.  It is worth every penny!  The Kindergarteners just listened with their little mouths hanging open and the 2nd graders all when "oooh" when they saw the treble clef and notes---such fun.  What a great way to teach note names and the clef signs.  Thank you again."

Jan Ringstmeyer, Elementary Music Educator, Winner, South Dakota

"Just wanted to let you know that the kids absolutely love Freddie. The other day they started chanting, "Freddie, Freddie," before I even got a chance to get him out. They all love the story and ask to hear it everyday! I saw one of my students in the grocery store. She saw me, became excited, and waved enthusiastically. She started talking to her mom in Spanish and the only thing I understood was "Hola, Freddie." Then she started singing the "Hello, Freddie" song."

Rodganna Avery, AGWSR Schools, Ackley IA

“I wanted to thank you for the great book! My kiddos have learned the staff and it has blown me away! As soon as you know of another book coming out, I am ready for it! My kids are ready too!  Freddie is the most popular kid in my class!  I am truly amazed at how quickly the kids have picked up the Staff and notes!  I just "quizzed" my Kindergarteners by giving them a staff and having them fill in where everyone is, and most everyone got 100%!  It was awesome!  Please, oh, please, we are ready for another Adventure!!  Thank you so much for giving me the tools to help my kids blossom and learn in such a fun way!"

Suzanne Campbell, The Barstow School, Early Childhood Music and Movement Kansas City , MO

"Freddie has done wonders in my music classroom!  Keep up the good work and thanks for being such a wonderful music advocate!"

Jennifer Jones, General Music, Coralville Central

"I am a Music Education Teacher, and I am always looking for new, fun, and exciting things to bring into my classroom.  I found Freddie The Frog online, and introduced it to my students two weeks ago.  They absolutely loved it!  I am using it all the way up to the fifth grade!  It is helpful for them to learn the notes of the staff in an easier way.  Thank you for sharing your creativity!"

Bonnie Rankin, Music Director, Southampton Academy, Courtland , VA

"Both of my schools have ordered the Freddie book, puppet, and flash cards for me this year. I used them for the first time today with kindergarten and first grade. I was amazed that my first graders remembered where everyone lived at the end of the story. They only forgot the azaleas. I thought that was wonderful after only one time of hearing the story.  I will definitely be telling colleagues about this. I know I will be able to use the puppet for a variety of things also. Thank you."

Carla Bauer, East and West Elementary, Knoxville, Iowa

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