‘Tis the Season for Singalongs

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One of my favorite traditions at The Hope Institute is gathering all of the students and staff for an all-school holiday singalong. We really go all out: our Hope House Band (comprised of me on guitar and vocals with three other members on guitar, drums, and bass) sets up, we pass out song packets with lyrics to all the classes, and we even invite students to perform special roles in the festivities.

This year, one of our senior classrooms has been creating their own visuals to accompany songs for each month, and December is no exception. We have been having so much fun using their creative materials for Ten Twinkling Trees and The Other Eight Reindeer that now, they are going to add their artistic talents to tomorrow’s singalong.

The class worked together to make signs for each of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, which they will hold up in the air at the appropriate times in front of the entire school when we sing the tune tomorrow. I think the staff members are more nervous than the students, to tell you the truth! We rehearsed this morning, and I know everyone will be impressed.

Singing seasonal carols is my favorite way to get into the holiday spirit, and I know I’m not the only one. I love hearing coworkers and children singing Christmas songs in the hallway outside of my office throughout the day, and next week I will be leading one of my classes as we surprise other rooms with a song or two. How does your school get into the holiday spirit? Do you put on a special program or concert? I know that many schools are not allowed to celebrate religious holidays…if this is your case, do you celebrate the season in an alternative manner? Please take a moment to share!

Ways to Spend Holiday Break

by | Listen & Learn Music, Uncategorized

There’s a certain electricity in the air, now that the holiday season is upon us and winter is creeping in. Today in Springfield, that air is freezing cold, gusting, and carrying snow showers, but electric nonetheless. Most kids are counting down the days until their much-anticipated holiday break, and truth be told, so are many of us educators! Those two weeks are a wonderful time to relax, recharge our batteries, and prepare for the coming winter months. It’s the perfect amount of time, in my opinion, because usually by the end of the break, I’m ready to get back to my students and into the swing of things.

I’ve been hearing all about the fun things my students have planned over the holidays, which inspired me to write a song on this topic. The song can be used as a conversation starter, and a base for coming up with new and fun ideas that will keep kids busy during their time off. This is bound to please parents, who sometimes struggle to keep their children occupied and out of trouble for two weeks!

This time of the year, when winter is here,
And the schools are closed across the nation.
There’s so much you can do,
Why don’t we name just a few,
Ways to spend our holiday vacation.

If it snows, you can go outside,
Hop on a sled, and take a ride.
Put on your ice skates and take
A trip around the lake.
What a way to spend your holiday break.

CHORUS

If you’re tired, you can sleep in late,
Or get up early if you’re feeling great.
There are nights to stay awake,
And naps to take.
What a way to spend your holiday break.

CHORUS

If you’re bored, you can read a book,
Watch TV or learn to cook.
Maybe even help bake
A chocolate cake.
What a way to spend your holiday break.

CHORUS

What are your plans for winter vacation (if you’re lucky enough to have one)? Will you go out of town, or stay close to home? I’m looking forward to being home, spending time with my family, and maybe even getting ahead on some projects I have in the works. Oh, and I can’t forget the parties, food, and presents (giving and receiving). After all, what would the holidays be without those things?

Red, Yellow, and Green

by | Listen & Learn Music, Uncategorized


Teaching functional skills and real-world concepts are high on my list of priorities, since the ultimate goal for my students is independence. The Hope Institute uses a Skills Assessment to determine whether or not each student is reaching goals such as dressing, eating properly, interacting with peers appropriately, and so on. Included on this list is personal safety, which encompasses crossing the street, using the crosswalk, and identifying traffic signals.

That is the topic of today’s song: learning the meaning of red, yellow, and green as related to the traffic lights. Many teachers use this concept in their classroom or when traveling with students from one place to another, using colored signs to indicate whether students should stop, slow down, or go. Learning and practicing this in a protected environment is the first step in transferring such knowledge to a real-world situation.

Stop when the light is red.
Go when it’s green.
Slow down when the light turns yellow,
That’s the color in between.
The traffic lights are red, yellow and green.

Red, red, is at the top,
Of the traffic light.
If you stop when you see red,
Then you know you’re doing it right.

CHORUS

Yellow, yellow is in the middle,
Of the traffic light.
If you slow down when you see yellow,
Then you know you’re doing it right.

CHORUS

Green, green is at the bottom,
Of the traffic light.
If you go when you see green,
Then you know you’re doing it right.

CHORUS

Although the songs I’ve written cover many of the topics included on my school’s Skills Assessment, there are many more opportunities for new tunes to cover this exhaustive list. Of course, I’ll be posting them as I write them – an ongoing process that will take me well into the summer, I’m sure!

Green Money

by | Listen & Learn Music, Uncategorized

With the holidays just around the corner, buying gifts for friends and family is on just about everyone’s to-do list. Many of you probably include your children in this activity, and they may even use some of their own money to purchase presents. Although the concept of exchanging money can be foreign to little ones, there’s no harm in teaching it early.

You may remember the Four Little Coins song I shared several months back. In today’s song, we address paper bills – the green stuff. Although I’m thinking that I should probably write a new money song about plastic, since credit and debit cards are becoming then norm these days. But we’ll keep it old-school for the time being; take a listen.

Green money, green money,
Paper bills are green.
Starting with one to one hundred dollars,
And those that come between.

One dollar,
Two dollars,
Ten and twenty,
Bills in each amount.
Also fifty and one hundred
Dollar bills to count.

Green money, green money,
Paper bills are green.
Starting with one to one hundred dollars,
And those that come between.

Use this tune as an opportunity to explain that paper bills come in different amounts, and use a real (or real-looking) bill to show your child or student how to tell the difference between each. Emphasize that even though a dollar bill and one hundred dollar bill may look very similar, the latter is worth MUCH more than the former. You can also discuss making change, if you’re feeling extra ambitious!

On the Radio

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My experience as being a part of the WDBR Cares for Kids Radiothon was amazing from start to finish, but I’d have to say that the best moment of all was when they announced the total amount raised for the Children’s Miracle Network: $92, 365. Incredible, right? I just had to have my picture taken with the grand total, as well as Dave and Dina, the DJs who hosted all 31 hours of the radiothon.

So today I’d like to share the songs I contributed to the cause, which Dave so seamlessly weaved with the stories told by the Children’s Miracle Network families.

First is Hollie’s story, told in her very own words.

Beautiful, and strong,
On the outside.
Unsure and scared,
Within.
Smiling through the pain,
That held her back from feeling good,
In her own skin.

Beautiful, and strong,
On the outside.
Unsure and scared,
Within.
Faced with a choice,
She knew what she had to do,
To be herself again.

She had a hand to hold,
And heroes on her side.
Stood by her through the pain,
And gave her back her pride.
They changed her life, above all,
And now she’s standing tall.

Beautiful, and strong,
On the outside.
Beautiful, and strong,
Within.
Confidence gained,
And nothing to hide,
She was herself, again.

CHORUS

She gave up something she loved
But it was well worth the trade.
As the hurt disappeared,
She was no longer afraid.
And through it all…

CHORUS

Next is Sam’s Story, so beautifully told by his parents, Katie and Gene.

They followed the rules, they went by the book,
From the food that she ate, to the classes they took.
Smooth sailing, the doctors said.
But God had other plans, instead.

They wondered if it was time, it was hard to know.
Could have waited, but instinct told them to go.
The calm before the storm.
As the tidal wave took form.

Like the blink of an eye,
It all happened so fast and they didn’t know why.
A moment frozen in time,
No explanation at all, no reason or rhyme.
Their faith placed in the hands,
That knew what to do,
To make a miracle come true.

She was whisked away, and he paced the floor.
He knew it was bad, they couldn’t tell him much more,
All he had was hope and prayer,
For his family in there.

CHORUS

A life was saved, but the storm hadn’t passed,
A long road ahead, each day better than the last,
Couldn’t hold him, but they knew,
They were doing all that they could do.

They called him a miracle,
Tears of joy for their baby boy.

CHORUS

I’m already looking forward to being involved with the radiothon and the Children’s Miracle Network again next year. And you know what else I’m looking forward to? This wonderful month of December! Today is the kick-off of what is sure to be a busy but fun 31 days, all of which are represented in my “December” song. Hear it here, and read what I had to say about it over on the Songs For Teaching blog.

Listen & Learn: Thanksgiving

by | Listen & Learn Music, Uncategorized

Okay, everyone…the final countdown has begun! We are only three days away from Thanksgiving, and if your students are anything like mine, they are probably getting restless in anticipation of the holiday and having a mini-break. Maybe you are even experiencing some of this restlessness – I know I am!

But there are still two school days to go before the fun begins, which provides an opportunity to squeeze in just a few more Thanksgiving songs. So with that in mind, I thought I’d recap the songs that I’ve written and have been singing with my students all month long.

Read the original post for each of these songs, including lyrics, here. Also, check out the Songs For Teaching blog (I am one of the bloggers!) for some great songs and ideas. What last-minute Thanksgiving activities are you introducing to your students this week?