Free Download: “Little Red Apples”
This is one of many counting songs I’ve written, which focuses on counting both up to 5 and down from 5. I created simple apple visual aides (using red construction paper and then laminating) which my students can then manipulate as we count.
Click here to download the mp3 and lyrics/chords.
P.S. If you want access to my entire collection of over 200 songs (mp3, lead sheet, and instrumental track), videos, tutorials, and visual aides, plus ALL new releases from Listen & Learn Music, consider joining me over at Listen & Learn Plus!
Friday Fave: Wedding Music
Zach and I have dubbed November as “Wedding Month” due to the fact that we’ll be spending the next two weekends traveling the country for the nuptials of our friends and family. Next Friday we’ll be jet-setting to Orlando for the wedding of my friend (and former bridesmaid) Vanessa and her fiance Luis. Then the following weekend, we’ll head to Connecticut to participate in the wedding of Zach’s brother Rob and his fiance Shannon.
I’m extremely excited about both events – I love weddings! And one of my favorite aspects of the special day is (no surprises here) the music. I love it all: the instrumental (Pachelbel’s Canon in D, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desire, The Wedding March), the vocal (Ave Maria, The Prayer, Sunrise, Sunset), and of course the dancing (American Pie, Sweet Caroline, and Hey Ya! are always fun).
I am singing at both of the weddings we’ll be attending this month, and both brides have discovered that choosing the selections isn’t as easy as one might assume. I got married last summer (08/08/08 to be exact) so I know firsthand that planning the music can be an overwhelming responsibility. Luckily, I had a wonderful advisor (aka my mom) who not only helped choose the music, but actually wrote one of the songs that was performed at the ceremony. She named it “Child of Mine” and asked my good friend and bridesmaid, Victoria, to sing it at the wedding. Listen to a recording of it (sung by me!) below:
Isn’t it beautiful? It was such a special and amazing day, and hearing a song written especially for me by my mom made it even that much more spectacular.
Silly Sounds Hello
Hello, and happy Friday to you! I’d like to start the day with a greeting song: it’s called “Silly Sounds Hello,” and it targets consonants. This particular tune was written for a little boy named Rocco, who I worked with two years ago, so it was tailored to the consonant sounds he was struggling with at the time.
However, you can change those words and sounds to fit the needs of any child, no matter how silly it might end up sounding (because after all, that’s the point!). Take a listen:
I know a silly way to sing hello.
You can sing it to your friends,
And the people you know.
The words of this song are fun to say,
Won’t you sing along with me today?
Hi, hi, pie pie pie.
Hi, hi, tie tie tie tie.
Hi, hi, my my my.
Hi to you.
Hello, no no no.
Hello, go go go go.
Hello, dough dough dough.
Hello to you.
Hey there, bear bear bear.
Hey there, fair fair fair fair.
Hey there, pear pear pear.
Hey there to you.
So there it is. Rocco loved singing this song because it was so silly and nonsensical, and by the year he had mastered most of these sounds. Progress is that much sweeter when you have fun making it.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this series of hello songs. And if you have any great ones up your sleeve, I’d love to hear about them! As always, thanks for reading, and come back later for “Friday Faves.”
Everyone is Doing the Maraca Rock
At least, they will be after hearing today’s song! Maracas (and shakers in general) are a favorite instrument for most of my students, so I’m always looking for ways to incorporate them into music therapy. Maraca Rock does just that…and as a bonus, it also addresses an important skill: discrimination of space (high, low, back, forth).
Maraca rock-a, rock-a, rock!
Maraca rock-a, rock-a, rock!
Got the rhythm shakin’ and the beat is quakin’
The maraca rock-a rock!
Rock your maracas way down low, maraca rock-a rock!
Way down low, rock them way down low, maraca rock-a rock!
Rock your maracas way up high, maraca rock-a rock!
Way up high, rock them way up high, maraca rock-a rock!
Maraca rock-a, rock-a, rock!
Maraca rock-a, rock-a, rock!
Got the rhythm shakin’ and the beat is quakin’
The maraca rock-a rock!
Rock your maracas back and forth, maraca rock-a rock!
Back and forth, rock them back and forth, maraca rock-a rock!
Rock your maracas all around, maraca rock-a rock!
All around, rock them all around, maraca rock-a rock!
Maraca rock-a, rock-a, rock!
Maraca rock-a, rock-a, rock!
Got the rhythm shakin’ and the beat is quakin’
The maraca rock-a rock!
The first Monday of each month is always exciting, because that is when I introduce all my new songs to my students (although I think sometimes the staff and parents look forward to it more than the students!). I also have a fun new book I will be sharing with you all in the coming days. Stay tuned!
November is Here
I hope you all had a fun and happy Halloween! Now that it’s over, it’s time to dive into November and all the fun things this month brings. I love Thanksgiving, and I’m excited about the songs I’ll be posting in relation to it in the coming weeks. But before we get to those, first things first. Below is the November song…I hope you like it!
For thirty days November’s here
Let’s give thanks and show good cheer.
The days are short and the wind will blow
It’s the eleventh month I know.
For thirty days November’s here
And Election Day will come.
Grown-ups will go to cast their votes
There will be a celebration for some.
For thirty days November’s here
Let’s give thanks and show good cheer.
The days are short and the wind will blow
It’s the eleventh month I know.
For thirty days November’s here
And next comes Veteran’s Day
We’ll remember those who served
And home from school we’ll stay.
For thirty days November’s here
Let’s give thanks and show good cheer.
The days are short and the wind will blow
It’s the eleventh month I know.
For thirty days November’s here
And then comes Thanksgiving Day.
While we eat turkey and pumpkin pie
We’ll be thankful in our own way.
For thirty days November’s here
Let’s give thanks and show good cheer.
The days are short and the wind will blow
It’s the eleventh month I know.
Elections, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving…what a busy month! I hope it’s off to a good start for you – see you tomorrow for some rockin’ with maracas :)
A Song for Halloween Day
Greetings, and happy Halloween! Because it is a special day, Friday Faves has been postponed until next week (sorry!). You probably know by now that this isn’t exactly my favorite “holiday,” but that hasn’t stopped me yet from writing and sharing my collection of sometimes spooky but mostly silly Halloween songs. Today’s song leans a little bit more towards the spooky side, but don’t worry – it is appropriate for all ages and stages of development.
Do you know about a day
That’s not so very far away
Everywhere there’s orange and black
And chills are running up your back.
Jack-o-lanterns and ghosts and bats,
Witches and goblins and big black cats
Spooky spooks come out to play
On the thirty-first, Halloween Day.
Let’s pick a costume we can wear
And all the neighbors, we will scare
When at their door we trick or treat
And they will give us something sweet.
Jack-o-lanterns and ghosts and bats,
Witches and goblins and big black cats
Spooky spooks come out to play
On the thirty-first, Halloween Day.
Today is a super busy day at school, but in between trick-or-treating throughout the building, visiting the “haunted hallway” complete with a “graveyard”, and celebrating at a huge party in the gym this afternoon, we’ll find some time to squeeze in music therapy.
Though my feelings toward Halloween are lukewarm at best, I am trying my best to get into the spirit for the sake of those who enjoy this spooktacular day. Tonight, Zach (my husband) and I are going to attend a Halloween party dressed as a certain singing duo…any guesses?? (Hint: if only I had an autoharp, my costume would be perfect.)
I hope you enjoyed today’s installment of Listen & Learn Music. Have a great day, and I’ll see you this weekend as we kick off November in style.
Witch’s Brew
One of the songs I very distinctly remember singing in elementary school was called “Witch’s Brew.” It had movements and everything, and it was a class favorite that we looked forward to every year. Even as an adult more than fifteen years later, I still remember all the words and movements, and imagine my surprise and excitement when I came across the song on the internet! I’m almost positive that this recording (by Hap Palmer) is the same we listened to in school.
I thought that since I enjoyed this song so much as a child, my students would too, so I designed an activity based upon it. I decided to make it visual, so out came the construction paper, Microsoft clip art, and scissors, with which I created this:
I replaced the items that the song mentions with more innocuous, every day items that my students would better recognize, and made a picture card displaying each item. These include a cat, bat, bear, broomstick, car, french fries, and a fly among others (15 in total, so 3 items in each of 5 verses). I laminated them and put velcro on the backs, and then constructed a “cauldron” of two laminated pieces of black construction paper bound together, folder-style (you could also just use a black folder). I then attached enough velcro so that each picture would have a place.
I changed the lyrics to reflect my new items, and as I sing each item (very slowly, of course), the student finds the corresponding picture from the pile and puts it in the “witch’s brew” (i.e. the black folder). Many of my students also like to do the motions, such as “stirring” with their arms and “casting a spell” with their hands.
You can choose your own items for your “witch’s brew” and if you do, please share the finished product with me! I know it’s a little late for this Halloween, but hey, there’s always next year :)
See you tomorrow for a final Halloween song before we move on to a whole new batch of November songs!
Ugga Bugga Boo!
Halloween is on Friday, so I have just a few days to share a couple last minute songs with you. Today’s song can actually be used year-round, but it’s great at Halloween because of it’s title and lyrics – Ugga Bugga Boo! The phrase is silly and fun, and so is the song itself. It addresses simple movement and following directions such as clapping hands, tapping feet, and clicking the tongue (a sound that kids love to make once they learn how).
Ugga. Ugga Bugga. Ugga Bugga Boo boo boo!
Ugga. Ugga Bugga. Ugga Bugga me and you!
Get into the beat and clap your hands, out loud, out loud.
Get into the beat and clap your hands out loud!
Ugga. Ugga Bugga. Ugga Bugga Boo boo boo!
Ugga. Ugga Bugga. Ugga Bugga me and you!
Get into the beat and tap your feet, out loud, out loud.
Get into the beat and tap your feet out loud!
Ugga. Ugga Bugga. Ugga Bugga Boo boo boo!
Ugga. Ugga Bugga. Ugga Bugga me and you!
Get into the beat and click your tongue, out loud, out loud.
Get into the beat and click your tongue out loud!
Ugga. Ugga Bugga. Ugga Bugga Boo boo boo!
Ugga. Ugga Bugga. Ugga Bugga me and you!
Ugga Bugga Bugga Bugga Bugga Bugga boo boo boo –
And we’re through!
Up Close and Personal
Because music is such a huge part of my job, it’s easy to forget that it is also a personal hobby and something that I’ve done for fun almost all my life. I’ve been spending a lot of time writing and playing for myself lately, so having the opportunity to perform in front of an audience was a big thrill. Here is one of my original songs, “Second Chance Dance,” which I wrote for my husband last Valentine’s Day (and is based on the story of us):
If you’d like to hear more of my non-children’s songs, and read more about my foray into the world of singer-songwriters at www.rachelrambach.com.
Ten Little Ladybugs
Over the last few years, I have amassed quite a collection of books that I use with my students. I always keep my eye out for books with bright, colorful pictures and engaging content, but most importantly, the words must rhyme or have a lyrical quality. This is a must because rather than just read the books to (or with) my students, I sing them. It’s easy to set the words to a simple tune, either original or familiar (such as “Twinkle Twinkle” or “Clementine”), and it is more appealing to the student, as well.
I can address multiple goals while singing books with my students: answering “yes/no” or “wh” questions, naming objects and colors, reading, counting, following directions (such as turning the page or pointing to something), and attention to task.
My favorite types of books to read, especially with the younger crowd, are those with texture or 3-D elements. One great example is Ten Little Ladybugs. The book is visually stunning and stimulating, and my students never grow tired of it!
Ready…Set…Wait!
As I mentioned last week, my husband and I went on a quick getaway this weekend and while we had a great time, it’s always nice to get back into the regular routine. This week is already off to a busy start, with an even busier weekend ahead…I’m performing this Friday evening, playing for a birthday party on Saturday, and then my children’s choirs are singing in church on Sunday morning. Phew, I’m tired just thinking about it!
But let’s get to today’s subject: impulse control. This is always an issue when working with any child, whether he or she has a disability or not. Last year I wrote a fun little song to target impulse control skills, called Ready, Set, Wait!
Let’s wiggle our fingers, when I say go.
We’ll wiggle wiggle wiggle them, to and fro.
Let’s wiggle our fingers, when I say go.
Ready…set…WAIT!
When I say wait, don’t go just yet.
Listen for what comes after “set”
But when I say go then you will know…
To wiggle those fingers to and fro.
Ready…set…GO!
Wiggle wiggle, wiggle wiggle wiggle,
Wiggle those fingers to and fro.
Wiggle wiggle, wiggle wiggle wiggle,
Wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle them to and fro…now STOP!
REPEAT:
Knees
Feet
Elbows
My students are always surprised when they hear “WAIT!” in the first verse, and then they are so excited to hear “GO!” so that they can wiggle whatever body part is called. They love to freeze when they hear “STOP!” and with a little practice, they can follow all three commands easily.