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!
To The Bathroom I Go
This week I’m featuring a three-part series on self-care songs. I receive requests from teachers all the time for songs about using the bathroom, keeping clean, and other related topics, so I thought I’d share them with you. So here goes Part One:
Potty-training. It’s not a fun job, but it has to be done. This simple song is set to a familiar tune and uses repetitive lyrics to deliver step-by-step instructions for using the potty. Take a listen:
I have to go to the bathroom,
I have to go to the bathroom,
I have to go to the bathroom,
So that is where I’ll go!
I’ll shut the door to the bathroom,
Pull down my pants in the bathroom,
Sit down on the toilet and that is when
I’ll let it all come out!
I’ll let it all come out, I’ll let it all come out.
I’ll let it come out in the toilet,
And keep my pants all dry!
I’ll take some toilet paper,
I’ll take some toilet paper,
I’ll take some toilet paper,
And wipe from front to back!
Put the paper in the toilet,
Put the paper in the toilet,
Put the paper in the toilet,
And flush it all away!
Then I’ll pull up my pants, and wash my hands all clean.
I’ll wash my hands when I’m finished,
And now I can leave!
More About Me
You’ve learned a little about me, but I’d like to tell you more. Specifically, how I got here and why I do what I do. Here goes:
I grew up singing. At home, school, church, community theaters, anywhere they’d let me, really. By high school, I knew that I wanted to pursue music as a career, and everyone encouraged me to go after my dream. So I applied to several college music programs, and ultimately chose to attend Rollins College, a small liberal arts college in Winter Park, Florida.
My experience at Rollins was amazing. There I was exposed to top-notch musicians, and I received voice training from a world-renowed opera singer. As fabulous as this experience was, it taught me that I really did not want to be an opera singer. I loved singing in my women’s trio; showtunes and pop were really more my speed. But nonetheless, I continued my studies while rethinking my future.
I knew music had to be a part of the equation; I just didn’t quite know how it fit into the puzzle. Then I was assigned to research and write a paper about a topic of my choice related to music. While doing a little googling and exploring, I stumbled upon music therapy. I had heard of it in passing, but didn’t really know much about it. The more I researched, the more I fell in love with the idea of it.
The professor of that class, who also happened to be the chair of the music department, was impressed with my paper and my interest in music therapy. He put me in touch with a local music therapist, who I job-shadowed for the remainder of the semester. I was so excited with the possibility of studying music therapy that I finished my degree a year and a half early, so that I could move on to graduate school.
I spent two years at Illinois State University, where I was a student in the music therapy graduate program. I completed clinical practicums in the field, wrote a thesis, and then spent a year in St. Louis interning with a private practice. Not once did I question my decision to pursue music therapy. I knew it was what I’m meant to do.
After completing my internship in St. Louis, I was ready for the real world. Luckily, there was a job waiting for me as a full-time music therapist at the Hope Institute, a school for children with multiple disabilities in Springfield, Illinois. My work at Hope allows me to work with students in both group and one-on-one setttings, and here I put my creativity to work in coming up with songs and activities.
So that brings us to the here and now. I’m always working on new songs and looking for topics to write about. My students are my biggest source of inspiration, but suggestions and requests are always welcome. I hope you are able to take something away from my blog, and that it keeps you coming back for more.
Fall Into Fall (Part 2)
This is a song I wrote last year, and I was happy to take it back out this fall. This song can be used to reinforce location of body parts, while at the same time teaching that not all scarecrows are scary. It was inspired by the scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz — one of my favorite movies of all time — and I picture him every time I sing it. I bet you will, too!
Out in the field in a row of corn,
Stands a scarecrow so forlorn.
Crows on his head and crows on his feet,
He’s the saddest scarecrow you’ll ever meet.
Can’t scare the crows, oh no no!
Can’t scare the crows, oh no no!
Crows on his head and crows on his feet,
He’s the saddest scarecrow you’ll ever meet.
Out in the field in a row of corn,
Stands a scarecrow so forlorn.
Crows on his elbows and crows on his knees,
The scarecrow’s even scared of a little breeze.
Can’t scare the crows, oh no no!
Can’t scare the crows, oh no no!
Crows on his elbows and crows on his knees,
The scarecrow’s even scared of a little breeze.
Out in the field in a row of corn,
Stands a scarecrow so forlorn.
Crows on his nose and crows on his ears,
The scarecrow’s crying scarecrow tears.
Can’t scare the crows, oh no no!
Can’t scare the crows, oh no no!
Crows on his nose and crows on his ears,
The scarecrow’s crying scarecrow tears.
Fall Into Fall (Part 1)
Say goodbye to summer…it’s day two of fall and that gives us lots to sing about! I had no trouble coming up with this song, since there are so many great things about fall.
Today I asked my students to share their favorite aspects of fall, and these were the most popular answers: jumping in piles of leaves, cool weather, and of course, Halloween. While my fall song doesn’t mention this spooky day (there are plenty of others dedicated to it), it does cover most other bases. So take a listen!
Fall into fall,
the most colorful season of all.
Orange and gold, red, yellow, and brown,
Leaves are swirling all around.
September, October, November, fall is here.
At the end of December, we know that winter’s near.
Fall into fall,
the most colorful season of all.
Orange and gold, red, yellow, and brown,
Leaves are swirling all around.
Football, and pumpkins, and hayrack rides abound.
Most of the leaves that were once on trees, are now upon the ground.
Fall into fall,
the most colorful season of all.
Orange and gold, red, yellow, and brown,
Leaves are swirling all around.
The air is getting colder, the wind is getting strong.
The days are getting shorter, but we keep on singing this song.
Fall into fall,
the most colorful season of all.
Orange and gold, red, yellow, and brown,
Leaves are swirling all around.
September
It’s so hard to believe that September is here, and that the school year is in full swing. Over the past twelve months, I have written a song for each one of them which wraps up all the highlights of those thirty-something days into a neat little package. The first I’ll share with you is September:
September, September, today it is September.
Month number nine for thirty days,
Fall weather cools the sun’s hot rays.
We’ll see the leaves turn from green to brown,
And pretty soon they’ll all fall down.
September, September, today it is September.
The air is turning nice and cool,
And we spend all our days in school,
It’s a wonderful time of the year!
September, September, today it is September.
Month number nine for thirty days,
Fall weather cools the sun’s hot rays.
We’ll see the leaves turn from green to brown,
And pretty soon they’ll all fall down.
September, September, today it is September.
We’ll celebrate on Labor Day,
Home from school is where we’ll stay,
It’s a wonderful time of the year!
September, September, today it is September.
Month number nine for thirty days,
Fall weather cools the sun’s hot rays.
We’ll see the leaves turn from green to brown,
And pretty soon they’ll all fall down.
September, September, today it is September.
We’ll go outside, roll up our sleeves,
Make a bed of crunchy leaves,
It’s a wonderful time of the year!
September, September, today it is September.
Month number nine for thirty days,
Fall weather cools the sun’s hot rays.
We’ll see the leaves turn from green to brown,
And pretty soon they’ll all fall down.
Be sure to check back in on the first of each month (and of course, all the days in between!) for a new song. See you again soon!
An Introduction
Well hi there. I’m Rachel, and I can’t tell you how excited I am about this blog. It’s actually an extension of my website, Music Therapy Connections, which is how many of you may have gotten here. If that is the case, you can just go ahead and skip over the next few paragraphs!
As a board-certified music therapist, I work with children of all age levels in both mainstream and special education settings. I use music to address nonmusical skills, including social, cognitive, emotional, and physical. Though levels of skill and functioning varies widely from child to child, a strong love and positive response to music is characteristic of most, if not all of them.
When I began my work as a music therapist, I realized how scarce great resources truly are in this field. I wanted materials that I could use across a wide spectrum, not just those geared towards children with severe disabilities or gifted children. I wanted materials that would appeal to all age groups – materials that teachers, parents, and adult caregivers would enjoy utilizing as well.
When I couldn’t find anything that truly met my needs, I began to create my own. I wrote and recorded song after song and over time amassed a collection that I was able to use in every single setting. The children with whom I work know and love these songs, which is apparent by the big smiles on their faces and the sound of their voices singing along.
But what is most important is that while they are singing and having a good time, these children are learning. They are learning to count, they are learning the correct way to brush their teeth, and they are learning to use manners. The reason why my songs do the job they are meant to do is that listening to them doesn’t feel like work. They truly make learning fun.
And that is why I started this blog…all this time, I have been selfishly keeping these wonderful tools to myself! So now, hopefully your child or student can benefit from my songs as mine have; and if they do, tell your friends. Tell your child’s teacher. And keep coming back to visit me!