by Rachel | Uncategorized
Over the summer, I was working on speech goals with one of my music therapy students. The letter “g” was among her targeted sounds, so I came up with a little greeting song based on it.
Well the song stuck, because four months later, we’re still singing that song — and she is nailing those “g” sounds! I’ve even started using it with several other students, which prompted me to record it for the world to hear:
As you can see, the lyrics aren’t amazingly inspired, but they are easy to remember and better yet, easily adaptable. The second verse changes with every music therapy session, depending on what I have planned.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: a song doesn’t have to be long, complicated, or full of genius lyrics in order to be an effective tool for learning. In fact, usually quite the opposite is true. Simple songs = good times!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
Fall is such a beautiful time here in the Midwest. As much as I complain about the dropping temperatures, I really do enjoy watching the change of seasons reflected in the trees as the leaves turn all kinds of gorgeous colors.
The downside, of course, is all the raking that must be done once those leaves fall to the ground. Luckily for me, my husband does most of the yard work around here :) I prefer singing about falling leaves instead.
This month I dug up an old song I wrote a few years back called The Leaves on the Trees. It always goes over well with students because each time we sing the verse, it gets just a little faster. No matter how fast it gets, they always shout out “faster!” and of course, I oblige.
One of my first-ever “Sunday Singalong” videos featured this song, which you can see here. I’ve also written a few other fall songs that mention the leaves, but was wondering what other tunes YOU know and use on this timely topic. Please share your leafy faves in the comments!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
I’ll tell you what…I’m getting quite a bit of mileage out of the “Banana Boat Song” around here lately. Over the summer, I recorded a fruit shakers version for one of my music therapy students, and today I have a custom song based on it.
This particular song is all about tally marks — what they are, and how to count with them. Rene, who wins the award for most custom songs ever purchased (thanks Rene!), gave me a list of key terms to include in the song, several of which are tally mark, vertical, diagonal, equals, sum, groups, and add. I managed to fit each of the terms into the lyrics, as well as some practice counting by fives.
Day-o, day-ay-ay-o
Each little tally mark equals one
Day-o, day-ay-ay-o
Count by five and we get the sum
Counting with tally marks, adding up some numbers
4 vertical and 1 diagonal lines
Counting with tally marks, adding up some numbers
One set of tally marks equals five
One, two, three, four, vertical lines
One diagonal line makes five
One, two, three, four, vertical lines
One diagonal line makes five
Day, me say day-ay-ay-o
Each little tally mark equals one
Day-o, day-ay-ay-o
Count by five and we get the sum
Counting with tally marks, adding up some numbers
Now add up all the groups of five
Counting with tally marks, adding up some numbers
Here we go, sing this counting jive
Five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five
Thirty, thirty-five, add ‘em up.
Forty, forty-five, fifty, fifty-five
Sixty, sixty-five, add ‘em up.
Day-o, day-ay-ay-o
Each little tally mark equals one
Day-o, day-ay-ay-o
Count by five and we get the sum
One of the things I love most about being a music therapist is never knowing what kind of subject matter I’ll be asked to address next. I’m always up for a good challenge! If you’re in need of a song for a specific topic, skill or concept, click here to learn more about my custom song package.
by Rachel | Uncategorized
Going back to school at the end of the summer is a big adjustment for most kids. I know not only from the experience of working in a school setting for 4 years, but also from talking with my students’ parents as they are in the midst of this transition right now.
The start of the school year is especially hard for kiddos who are going into kindergarten and are not used to being away from home all day. I’ve taught several brand new kindergarteners this week, and while they’ve had great things to say about school so far, their moms have filled me in on the anxiety they’ve felt.
I’ve written quite a few songs about preparing for the school day and going to school, and there’s no better time than now to share a little round-up with you. Let’s start with the beginning of the day and work our way through, shall we?
- My Clothes & My Shoes – Most kids who are old enough to go to school should also be able to dress themselves properly. This song was a staple in all of my classroom music therapy groups.
- Time to Say Goodbye – Saying goodbye to mom and dad is quite possibly the hardest part of the school day. This song also addresses saying goodbye to teachers at friends when school is over.
- That Yellow Bus – Riding the bus can be overwhelming at first. There’s nothing like a fun song to ease the anxiety over doing so.
- Off to School – I like this song because it gives a general overview of what to expect throughout the school day.
- The People I See – Teachers and principals are included in this tune, as well as other community people a child may or may not see during the day.
- Making Friends – I’ve had so many students tell me that their friends aren’t in their class this year. I tell them that it is the perfect opportunity to make some new ones!
- Stop, Think & Do – A good reminder to all kids. I have to thank one of my former colleagues, a classroom teacher who uses this motto on a daily basis. It’s an effective one, to be sure.
- Clean Up Time – I think every young child learns at least one song about cleaning up at school; why not add another option into the mix?
Whether you’re a parent, music therapist, or teacher, what has your back-to-school experience been like this week?
by Rachel | Uncategorized
One thing I’ve noticed when I give a child a pair of rhythm sticks is that it’s extremely difficult for him or her not to make some kind of noise with them. So I made a game out of it.
“If You’re Wearing a Red Shirt” is a simple, repetitive song that directs children in a group to play their rhythm sticks only if they fit the description in that particular verse. It goes like this:
If you’re sitting down,
Tap your sticks just like this.
Tap-tap-tap-tap, tap-tap-tap,
Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap.
If you’re a girl,
Tap your sticks just like this.
Tap-tap-tap-tap, tap-tap-tap,
Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap.
If you’re a boy,
Tap your sticks just like this.
Tap-tap-tap-tap, tap-tap-tap,
Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap.
If you’re wearing a red shirt,
Tap your sticks just like this.
Tap-tap-tap-tap, tap-tap-tap,
Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap.
{Continue, using different descriptives}
The kids with whom I’ve used this activity get a kick out of the descriptions I choose for each verse — they are usually much more specific and creative than the very basic ones I included in the recording. Sometimes only one child will fit a description, and other times just for fun I’ll choose a description that nobody fits.
The best part is that everyone actually listens carefully and plays their rhythm sticks only when they should be playing. After all, that’s the goal!
