Thanks so much for watching my video and heading over to Listen & Learn Music! I’m excited to share “The Toolbox Song” with you because it truly is one of the most effective tools in my musical toolbox (pun totally intended).
My students and clients request this song time and time again, and I am always happy to oblige, because it allows me to work on so many goals at the same time.
To receive the mp3, instrumental track, lyrics/chords and facilitation guide, simply enter your first name and email address below. Then I’ll deliver the download link to your inbox.
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Lately I’ve had quite a few readers ask about my work at The Hope Institute, a residential school for children with multiple disabilities where I’ve headed up the music therapy program for the last (almost) 4 years.
I’ll be writing about the program in more detail throughout the year, but today I thought I’d share a simple yet important song that remains a staple in many of the classrooms with which I work.
Calendar time is an essential part of the school day around here (as it is in many schools), and I incorporate calendar songs of all varieties into my music therapy sessions. Here’s one I’ve mentioned before — spruced up a bit for the new year:
Today is ______,
Today is ______.
Today is ______, January _____.
Yesterday was ______,
Tomorrow’s ________.
But today is ______, January _____, 2011.
So when I sing this with my students this morning, the lyrics will be:
“Today is Monday, today is Monday. Today is Monday, January 10th. Yesterday was Sunday; tomorrow’s Tuesday. But today is Monday, January 10th, 2011.”
Each month, I record a new version with the correct month already included. That way, when the teachers sing this song with their students on a daily basis, they fill in the day and date themselves.
I’ve been using this song (which I came up with it on my own, though I’m positive others have done something very similar if not identical) for years now, but am always up for new ideas. If you’ve got another daily calendar song to share, please do!
Winter’s Here, All Right!
Ahh, just another day in the life of a midwesterner heading to work in the winter. My husband managed to capture this oh-so-flattering shot of me around this time last year…a fashion statement that will become all too familiar over the next few months. Can you tell how much I LOVE winter?!
Don’t get me wrong — I enjoy a white Christmas just as much as the next guy. But the never-ending cold and snow just isn’t my thing. I have to look on the bright side, though: the change of seasons gives me an excuse to write a new song!
Winter’s here, the first season of the year.
From the end of December until April’s near.
The birds have gone away, the cold is here to stay,
Day after day.
Brrr, the wind is blowing.
Brr, put your earmuffs on.
Along with your coat, scarf, hat, and gloves,
As we sing this wintery song.
CHORUS
Brr, the snow is coming,
Brr, my nose is red.
Gotta stay inside where the heat is on,
And get warm from my toes to my head.
CHORUS
As thrilled as I am to be off of work for Christmas break, I’m a little bummed that I didn’t have the chance to introduce this new song to my students before we left. However, the fact that we’ll have three long months to sing it when we return makes up for it. Oh, winter.
I’ll be spending the first day of the season doing last-minute shopping, wrapping presents, and writing thank-you notes to my students (they were quite the gift givers this year!). How will you spend this wonderful winter day?
Sydney the Snowman’s Nose
Poor Sydney. All he wants in life is a new nose, but for now he’s stuck with this old carrot (like so many of his snowman friends). Cute song idea, right? But don’t give me any of the credit…that goes to my friend Brian, who suggested this topic on my Facebook page.
When I first started writing this song, I had the intention of letting Sydney find the new nose for which he was searching. But then it hit me that I had an opportunity for a lesson in self-esteem (though I kept it subtle). Notice the nods to “Frosty the Snowman” — I just couldn’t resist!
Sydney the snowman had one wish, just one,
And it didn’t have anything to do
With the bright, hot sun.
His wish was for a brand new nose,
Made of anything but carrots,
Which he thought were gross.
Oh, Sydney searched high and low,
He even asked people that he didn’t know,
If they could help fill in the space,
In the middle of his face.
Sniffity-sniff-sniff, sniffity-sniff-sniff,
Watch as Sydney goes,
Over the hills and around the town
In search of a different nose.
Sydney the snowman liked most things, it’s true.
Candy canes and lollipops
And pretzels and bananas, too.
But the vegetable he did despise,
Unfortunately, was the perfect size.
Oh, Sydney couldn’t think of anything less cute
Than a nose made out of an old orange root,
And then a stranger who was kind,
Gave a compliment that changed his mind.
What a beautiful snowman face have you,
With a nose so bright and button eyes so blue.
I can tell you were made with love,
And that’s something to be proud of.
Sniffity-sniff-sniff, sniffity-sniff-sniff,
Watch as Sydney goes,
Over the hills and around the town
Proudly showing off his carrot nose.
Big props to Brian for coming up with such a clever song topic! I hope I did it justice. I received quite a few additional ideas as a result of my call for song topics, so I’m trying to decide which to tackle next. Do you have any last-minute holiday song topic suggestions? Let me know in the comments!
Winter’s On the Way
Yesterday during one of my music therapy sessions, I announced that it was time to sing about the season — fall. One of the staff members gave me a strange look and said, “Really?”
I don’t blame her. The wind was gusting outside and the temperature was in the mid-30s; it’s not exactly fall weather. In these last few weeks leading up to winter, it just doesn’t feel right singing Fall Into Fall or All About Autumn. That’s why I wrote today’s song…for these interim weeks in between the two seasons.
Winter’s on the way,
But for today,
The season is still fall.
The holidays are near,
But the calendar’s clear:
It’s autumn after all.
Winter doesn’t start until the end of
December, this we know,
When the air is really cold, so cold that
It may even snow.
CHORUS
You may see lights and holiday trees,
Popping up everywhere you go,
But remember for today,
No matter how the wind may blow:
CHORUS
Winter time will come, just a few weeks more.
And it will stick around ‘til spring.
But until that day, I’ll wait to see,
What the winter months will bring.
CHORUS
Our last day of school before the holiday break is December 20, so we won’t have a chance to officially welcome winter in song (which begins the very next day) before then. I’ll be ready when we return, though; I’ve got a new winter tune brewing, so look for it on December 21!
Custom Song: Help Me, Rhombus!
I’ve written songs on many unique and interesting topics, but when I received a request for a custom song about a certain parallelogram, I knew I was in for a bit of a challenge. At the suggestion of my clever customer, I turned to the Beach Boys for help.
I also turned to the knowledge I gained in my 9th grade geometry class (thanks, Mr. Nuding!) — I now admit that I was wrong when I said I’d never need to know that stuff as an adult :) Shapes can be fun…whether you’re just learning the basics or venturing into more exotic territory as we are today.
I wanna sing about a shape
That I can’t get outta my head.
It has four sides, yes four, that’s what I said.
Rhombus, you’re one of a kind,
So tell me would you mind,
Oh could you, help me Rhombus,
Help me learn what you are.
Help me Rhombus, help help me, Rhombus. (5x)
Help me Rhombus, yea, I wanna learn what you are.
Well a rhombus and a diamond,
They look the very same.
One single shape that goes by two different names.
We use the word Rhombus at school,
Diamond is a nickname that’s cool,
Oh could you, help me Rhombus,
Help me learn what you are.
CHORUS
A rhombus has 4 pointy angles that connect its sides.
Just like a kite, in the air up high it flies.
Rhombus, I can illustrate,
Your shape, and I’d appreciate,
If you could, help me Rhombus,
Help me learn who you are.
CHORUS
This song was written for pre-kindergarteners, but I think the recognizable melody and peppy beat will appeal to older students as well. The key to teaching just about any concept is to make it enjoyable, as I have learned and been reminded time after time.
What Are You Thankful For?
Happy November! I woke up this morning with a huge smile on my face, knowing that I could tuck the Halloween songs away for another year and start the new month out right with a new Thanksgiving tune. Not only am I sharing it with you here today, but I’ll be introducing this song to my students later this morning.
The idea is to kick off this holiday season with an attitude of thankfulness; I want to get my students thinking about the things and people for which they are thankful. Some of them will be able to respond verbally and some will not, and that is perfectly fine. I have plenty to be thankful for, as you will hear:
What are you thankful for?
What are the things that make you smile?
The things in your life you appreciate,
People who go the extra mile.
What are you grateful for?
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I will start: speaking from my heart,
I am thankful for you.
What are you thankful for?
What are the things that make you smile?
The things in your life you appreciate,
People who go the extra mile.
What are you grateful for?
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I will start: speaking from my heart,
I am thankful for you.
Your family and friends at school,
And the teachers who help you learn
Are all people to be thankful for.
Now it’s your turn:
CHORUS
Your bed at night, and where you live,
And the clothes and shoes you wear
Are all things to be thankful for.
Now it’s time for you to share:
CHORUS
The food you eat at every meal,
And the table where you sit
Are all things to be thankful for.
Can you think of more:
CHORUS
A few more things I’m thankful for this month: my brother’s wedding next Saturday, the opportunity to participate in this year’s Children’s Miracle Network radiothon, and my upcoming trip to Cleveland, where I’ll be presenting at the AMTA national conference. Happy November, indeed!
Sway Like a Tree
As much as I enjoy fall — the changing leaves, the cooler temperatures, and the beginning of the holiday season — it always makes me a little nostalgic for summer (my one true love when it comes to seasons).
This song came about as the result of a brainstorming session for new movement activities. I have these cool ribbon rings that remind me a little bit of palm fronds, so that was the visual I had in mind as I wrote and recorded the song.
Come on and sway like a tree,
So tall and free.
Sway with me, oh sway with me.
Sway like a tree, so tall and free,
Sway, sway along with me.
Come on and sway like a tree,
So tall and free.
Sway with me, oh sway with me.
Sway like a tree, so tall and free,
Sway, sway along with me.
Come on and flutter like a leaf,
Falling from the tree,
Flutter with me, oh flutter with me.
Flutter like a leaf falling from the tree,
Flutter along with me.
Come on and fly like a bird,
Landing in the tree.
Fly with me, oh fly with me.
Fly like a bird landing in the tree,
Fly, fly along with me.
Come on and wave like a kid,
Sitting under the tree,
Wave with me, oh wave with me.
Wave like a kid sitting under the tree,
Wave, wave along with me.
I really got into the breezy island spirit of this song — as you can tell by my voice! I must have been channeling the St. Lucian friends my husband and I made on our honeymoon a couple years ago :)
Singing a duet at our resort's piano bar in St. Lucia
Now that I’ve gotten this song out of my system, I think I’m ready to leave summer behind completely. We’ve got lots of Thanksgiving songs to get to next week, but if you still need a last minute Halloween song, browse my collection here!
Orange & Black Are All Around
During this last week leading up to the 31st, I’m squeezing in as many Halloween songs as possible — both here and with my students. “Orange and Black” is one I wrote recently and have been singing all month.
Since so many of the classrooms are decorated to the nines for Halloween, we play our own version of “I Spy” and add all kinds of orange and black items to the list I’ve got going in each verse.
O-R-A-N-G-E is the color that you see
On Halloween, on Halloween.
Orange is all around,
Left and right and up and down,
On Halloween, on Halloween.
Candy corn, and pumpkins,
Decorations too,
Orange is everywhere on Halloween,
It’s true.
O-R-A-N-G-E is the color that you see
On Halloween, Halloween.
B-L-A-C-K is the color here to stay
On Halloween, on Halloween.
Black is all around,
Left and right and up and down,
On Halloween, on Halloween.
Witches’ hats, cats and bats,
Spiders too,
Black is everywhere on Halloween,
It’s true.
B-L-A-C-K is the color here to stay
On Halloween, Halloween.
O-R-A-N-G-E spells orange.
B-L-A-C-K spells black.
Orange and black are the colors that you see
On Halloween.
We also look for orange and black in some of my favorite Halloween books for kids, including Ten Timid Ghosts, Skeleton Hiccups, Dem Bones, and There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat. (I’m a huge fan of the “Old Lady” books, and already looking forward to pulling out this one next month!)
What kinds of Halloween songs, books, and activities do you have up your sleeve this week? I’m already working on my list for next year, so please share!
The Right-Left Song for Shakers
I heard the original version of “The Right-Left Song” for the first time last fall when Kimberly Sena Moore presented it at AMTA National Conference. Kimberly has a great video of this song, which was actually written by another music therapist named Michelle Hardy.
I’ve used it many times as Kimberly demonstrates in her video — it’s wonderful for kiddos who need to work on crossing the midline — but I decided to change it up recently when I was in need of a new shakin’ song.
We’re going right and left,
And right and left,
We’re shaking, we shake.
We’re going right and left,
And right and left,
We’re shaking we shake.
(Repeat, getting faster each time.)
The real challenge is making sure to shake in the right direction as the tempo of the song increases! I’ve enjoyed using this song so much that I may have to adapt it for other instruments, too. I love being inspired by other music therapists — thanks Kimberly and Michelle :)
Friday Fave: It’s October!
I love when the first day of the month falls on a Friday, because that gives us two reasons to celebrate! And on this particular Friday I have a third reason to celebrate…a weekend all to myself! No traveling, performances, or big commitments (unlike last weekend); just time to get caught up on some work and hang with my family.
How will you be spending the first weekend of October? Perhaps learning a song all about the 10th month of the year? I’ve been brushing up on my original October tune so that my students and I can sing it together this morning (and all month long). It goes like this:
Today it is October,
The tenth month of the year.
Summertime is over,
and autumn weather’s near.
Today it is October,
The leaves are turning brown.
The air is getting chilly,
And soon the leaves fall down.
Today it is October,
The tenth month of the year.
Summertime is over,
and autumn weather’s near.
Today it is October,
It’s time to celebrate
Fall festivals and Columbus Day
Oh, I can hardly wait!
Today it is October,
The tenth month of the year.
Summertime is over,
and autumn weather’s near.
Today it is October,
It’s time for Halloween.
Candy, spooks, and costumes,
And all those scary things.
Today it is October,
The tenth month of the year.
Summertime is over,
and autumn weather’s near.
What’s on your calendar for October? I have a relatively calm month ahead: singing at one wedding, a speaking gig, and a weekend trip to Chicago with my friend are the highlights. But it is definitely the calm before the storm; November will be a whirlwind of activity between my brother’s wedding, AMTA National Conference, and Thanksgiving.
Enjoy this beautiful first day of October, and have a great weekend. (And come back on Sunday for a new “Sunday Singalong” video — the hiatus is over!)