Vetted Programs – Pint Size Polkas

Mike Schneider (a.k.a. Uncle Mike) is an accordion player who brings a little bit of culture, education, and whole lot of fun to libraries and schools across the country with his Pint Size Polkas program. Children enjoy learning about the alphabet, numbers, occupations, personal hygiene, relationships, and even a little bit of foreign language through Uncle Mike's catchy polka tunes. The fun of polka music is reinforced by video segments on the history of the accordion, from its Chinese roots to its modern day manufacturing in Italy; the history of polka music, from its start in Eastern Europe to its influence on Hispanic musicians in the creation of Tejano music; Paul Bunyan and the history of lumberjacking; how to dance the polka; plus a growing list of additional topics. The audience plays a role in each Pint Size Polkas program, volunteering to wear various hats and guess the corresponding occupations, learning the steps to songs like the Chicken Dance, and taking part in the popular Pint Size Polkas Geography Challenge which includes cities of Minnesota and countries of the world.