Last week, I announced my involvement in Model Me Kids‘ newest social skills modeling DVD, Model Me Going Places. My original songs narrate the 12 scenes in the video, which is described on the Model Me Kids website as follows:
The Model Me Going Places™ video features children, ages 2-8, involved in activities in the community. It is designed to familiarize children with locations that may be challenging, and to help teach appropriate behavior in these locations through peer modeling. Each scene lasts between 2-4 minutes, depending on the chapter. At the end of each chapter is a storyboard summarizing the locations shown.
This video is narrated with music developed for the Model Me Going Places™ DVD by Rachel Rambach, a Board-Certified Music Therapist. This unique merger of video modeling and Music Therapy is designed to help teach skills in a way that appeals to the strengths of children with developmental disabilities.
Graphics and music are used to make the video appealing to children with Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and Nonverbal Learning Disorders. A high production value helps keep the child’s interest so that he or she will want to watch many times.
I couldn’t be more proud of my association with Model Me Kids, having provided musical narration for both this DVD and previously, Model Me Faces & Emotions.So I’m thrilled that this wonderful company was willing to provide a copy of the newest DVD to one lucky Listen & Learn reader.
It couldn’t be simpler: to enter, all you have to do is leave a comment (including your email address) on this post between now and Sunday, March 28th at 8 pm. I will use random.org to select a completely random winner, who will be announced on Monday. Teachers, parents, and therapists…I’m talking to you! Enter now for your chance to win this effective (not to mention fun and entertaining) resource.
It’s heeeere! Spring, of course. I spent the weekend in Chicago, where the first day of spring was 34 degrees with 30 mph winds and a snow/rain mix, but hey, at least I can say that winter is technically over.
Two years ago, I wrote new lyrics to the traditional tune “This Little Light of Mine” for a song all about spring. I don’t do much piggybacking (changing the words of existing songs) these days, since writing the music myself is much more fun; but I still pull out “Spring is in the Air” every March.
This year, I decided to breathe new life into it, adding some instrumentation and changing the key of the previous version. I can’t wait to sing it with all of my students tomorrow!
Winter’s gone away,
Spring is in the air!
Winter’s gone away,
Spring is in the air!
Winter’s gone away,
Spring is in the air!
Winter’s gone, let’s go outside, it is spring!
Flowers start to grow,
Spring is in the air!
Flowers start to grow,
Spring is in the air!
Flowers start to grow,
Spring is in the air!
Flowers grow, no more snow, it is spring!
Warm and sunny days,
Spring is in the air!
Warm and sunny days,
Spring is in the air!
Warm and sunny days,
Spring is in the air!
Warm days, sun’s rays, spring is here!
Only one more week of the normal routine before life gets a little crazy (in the best possible way). The following week is my spring break, which I’ll spend in St. Louis recording my first studio album. Then the week after that, Zach and I are jetting off to San Antonio for a few blissful days of vacation. No wonder there’s a spring in my step!
Every Tuesday evening, Rusty and I spend 30 minutes playing, writing, recording, and expressing ourselves through music. He is very interested in technology, so recently we’ve been using Garageband, iTunes, and iMovie to bring his musical creations to life. He continues to impress me with his good nature, musical talent, and creativity!
I love the fact that so many of my students want to incorporate technology into our work together, whether it’s music therapy or voice/piano/guitar lessons. Just today, I used the Flip Ultra HD Camcorderto record a student singing a new song, and we critiqued the video afterwards in order to improve her stage presence and facial expressions. I use the “voice memos” app on my iPhone to record vocal exercises, piano accompaniment, and even entire lessons, which I can email to my students (or their parents) right then and there.
If you want to see more of Rusty, check out this YouTube video, which was filmed by and for our local newspaper, The State Journal-Register. He is very proud of his status as a YouTube star!
Last summer I had the privilege of writing and recording songs to narrate the Model Me Kids video, Model Me Faces and Emotions (read my post about it here). It was a tremendously fun project; in fact, I was a little sad when all the work was done and the songs were completed. So you can imagine my how thrilled I was to be invited to narrate yet another new video.
I spent a good part of January and February working on new songs for Model Me Going Places, a video in which children model appropriate behavior in a variety of community locations. I am so happy with the finished product, which I received in the mail earlier this week!
Included is the DVD, CD-ROM, and the lyrics for all 12 songs. There is even a free iPhone/iPod Touch app that goes along with it, for which I provided piano melodies. My one and a half-year-old nephew loves it, and he’s too young to be biased!
Here are both DVDs (front and back), which are wonderful additions to my collection of resources. Many of my students were already familiar with Model Me Kids before they even knew about my involvement; one little boy came to his piano lesson shortly after the first DVD came out and said, “Miss Rachel, I listened to you on TV. You’re famous!” Hey, if I’m famous in the eyes of my students, then I’ve reached the top :)
You can order any of the Model Me Kids DVDs (there are 9 altogether) from their website, and be sure to go download the free iPhone/iPod Touch app!
Whining. We all do it from time to time, whether you’re a child, mature adult, or my dog at 4 in the morning. For kids, whining comes naturally in unfavorable situations, or even just when they’re tired and cranky. How many times have the words “stop whining!” come out of your mouth? Probably quite a few if you’re a parent, teacher, or anyone else who spends time with children on a regular basis.
But that phrase may fall upon deaf ears after awhile, so how about a new way to help nip this bad habit in the bud? That was the strategy for one of my consult clients, who requested a custom-written song about using a “happy face and happy voice” instead of whining.
When you are unhappy and feeling blue, There are just a few things that you need to do. Just listen up, and you’ll be fine, As long as you don’t whine.
First you need to find your happy face, Then you need to find your happy voice. When you talk without a whine, And smile, you shine. You’re making the right choice!
Simple and to the point. It’s amazing how such basic songs can be so effective, as long as the message is clear. What other bad habits might be addressed through a song like this?
Welcome! I’m Rachel Rambach, board-certified music therapist and creator of Listen & Learn Music — educational songs and musical materials for children. I love sharing my work with you, along with my behind-the-scenes creative process, adventures in business ownership, and life as a mom of two.
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to record a student singing a new song, and we critiqued the video afterwards in order to improve her stage presence and facial expressions. I use the “voice memos” app on my iPhone to record vocal exercises, piano accompaniment, and even entire lessons, which I can email to my students (or their parents) right then and there.
