Learning Through Music - From the anti-bully

Learning Through Music C hasing a dream of being a stand-up comic, Ben Fogg moved to California. While Fogg found some success, he was less than successful in the finance department. “I was poor,” admits Fogg, and when he was hungry he ate peanut butter by the jar full.

“Someone said, ‘man you eat a lot of peanut butter,’” and from there Ben knew something had to change. He gave up trying to be a comedian and used peanut butter as a way to tap into his talents. “Stand-up comedy wasn't for me. I just knew that I could put together fun tunes for kids,” said Fogg, who picked up his guitar and starting making children’s music. For Fogg, performing was more than helping children, it was also a way to help himself overcome the social anxiety he’d faced for 25 years.

“I was very anxious around people; I always worried what other people thought of me. I found my own voice through music, and what I would hope is that we can tell kids—listen we all have our own voice and our unique talents,” said Fogg who now teaches social studies and science at the Middle School of the Kennebunks. Through his experiences growing up with anxiety, and now his work in the classroom, Fogg sees his songs as a way to infuse creativity into teaching.

“I think certainly my material can be used as a teaching tool for English classes if they're learning to write poetry and to help young children understand how to do things like be a good friend. But even more than that, my ultimate goal is to inspire kids to have respect for themselves and others,” said Fogg.

Fogg’s music is geared toward elementary and middle school and is rich with lessons in the lyrics to help children understand key themes through music.

“I thought there was a need for an anti-bullying song and music that would get kids to exercise and make healthy food choices,” added Fogg. His Anti-Bully Anthem is among his most popular songs.

Fogg performs his songs at various events and in schools and makes his music available online for all to download with the hopes children will learn from it and educators will use it to reach children in an inspiring way.

“I get a lot out of making children’s music. I feel we are only here for a short time and I want to have a positive impact on people's lives—I feel very fortunate,” said Fogg.

To learn more about Ben and the Peanut Butter Problem, listen to his albums and download the songs, head to the Maine Educator Online. A complete link of resources is available.

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Benn Fogg's Kids Songs & Audio Poetry - Lyrics Excerpts:

Anti-Bully Anthem

So make a promise to me today And say “I’ll never be a bully not me, no way!” And if I ever see a bully in my school hallway I’m gonna let out a shout And say “Hey, cut that bullying out!” I can use my voice to help my classmates always make a good choice

The Exercise Song

Got home from school after such a long day Laced my sneakers up to go outside and play Gonna’ run around and climb a few trees Meet up with friends to burn some calories

Exercise, it’s so much fun It clears your mind and keeps you young 10 push-ups in the morning, 20 sit-ups at night You’ll be looking good and feeling alright!

Larry Snickers

When I was in second grade I met a guy so cool His name was Larry Snickers And he worked at my school

‘Ol Snickers had a thick moustache That he used to clean the walls And his beard he’d soap up like a mop To scrub the bathroom stalls

Larry Snickers, the maintenance man With a smile on his face, a bag of sawdust in his hand, He had battleship tattoos and an earing in his ear He got the balls down off the roof for us a couple times a year! September 2017 • www.maineea.org