It’s Listen & Learn’s birthday, but YOU’RE getting the presents.
My baby is hitting double digits! It’s hard to believe that this little website I started as a brand-new music therapist is still going strong 10 years later. Recording the songs, creating the materials, and writing the blog posts that fill up these pages brings me SO much joy, but what fills me up even more is knowing that they are benefiting YOU.
YOU are the reason that Listen & Learn Music is still alive and well today, and YOU are the reason I’ll be celebrating another 10 years in 2028. Every email and comment I receive detailing how a song was brought to life in a classroom or music therapy session, and how it helped a child to learn a new skill, provides the motivation to make this an even more valuable resource for you.
To properly thank you for your support, I want to give you a gift for every year of Listen & Learn Music. Starting September 1, I’ll be sharing one of my favorite resources with you from the L&L collection each day in yearly chronological order, all the way through September 10.
Our Biggest Giveaway Ever
And last, but not least, I hope you’ll participate in the GIVEAWAY I’m doing on September 10! One extremely lucky winner will receive a LIFETIME VIP MEMBERSHIP to Listen & Learn Plus, including all current and future CMTE courses.
All you have to do is help me celebrate by:
1) following Listen & Learn Music on Instagram
2) Creating a post about how you’ve used a L&L resource, or just simply sending a birthday wish
3) Tagging @listenlearnmusic on your post
4) Using the hashtag #listenlearnmusicturns10
Feel free to save and post this image and use the caption:
Wishing @listenlearnmusic a very happy 10th birthday! I’m joining in the celebration and hoping to win a lifetime VIP membership to Listen & Learn Plus! #listenlearnmusicturns10
Follow the steps above to enter as many times as you’d like between September 1 – 10.
Start from the beginning.
Each day, I’m writing a blog post recapping each year of Listen & Learn Music and announcing the resource gift for that day.
If you’ve entered your name and email address above, you’ll receive these directly to your inbox, and you’ll also have access to them (along with other cool stuff) inside the private Facebook group.
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More from Listen & Learn Music
In the Swimming Pool
From the time I started elementary school until I graduated high school, most of my summer days were spent at the neighborhood pool. My friends and I would ride our bikes there as soon as it opened, and we’d usually stay until our parents made us come home late in the afternoon. And if there is anything I remember from those carefree days, it is my mother’s daily reminders to “wear sunscreen and reapply” as I walked out the door.
Of course, wearing sunscreen is just one of the many important rules associated with swimming. I was sure to include that, among others, in my newest song on this topic. “In the Swimming Pool” was inspired by my fun memories, as well as my students, who come through the door in swimsuit cover-ups and wet hair for their music lessons all summer long.
In the summertime, when the weather is hot,
You can usually find me at my favorite spot.
I’ll be splashing around and staying cool,
In the swimming pool.
Doggypaddlin’ from end to end.
Playin’ Marco Polo with my best friend.
Backstroke, freestyle, butterfly,
Swim, swim, swimming by.
CHORUS
Wearin’ my goggles, now I can see,
Underneath the water so clearly.
Backstroke, freestyle, butterfly,
Swim, swim, swimming by.
CHORUS
Listen up and follow each and every rule,
Like walk, don’t run, by the swimming pool.
Wear lots of sunscreen and reapply.
Don’t wanna get burned by the sun in the sky.
CHORUS
I know that for many children, swimming can be scary at first. It can take quite a bit of coaxing to get a hesitant child into the pool; I kept this song light-hearted and upbeat to reflect for such children that swimming is actually fun!
Do you have any go-to tunes about water activities for summer? I’m thinking this might make a fun series…I just might have to come up with songs about sprinklers, water parks, and boating to round it out. Any other ideas?
Anywhere, Anytime
I’ve been working closely with one of my school’s speech therapists for the last couple of months, and the other day she came to me with a new song idea. She told me that she was sitting in church, singing the African American spiritual “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me” with the rest of the congregation, when she realized that it would make a great tune for our students.
The three things she always reminds the kids to do are: listen, work, and practice. Those three words are the basis of this adapted song, and they really do apply to most things in our kids’ lives. Whether it’s a skill they are learning at school, a chore they are responsible for at home, or even a fun new experience such as riding a bike, all of those things require listening, working, and practicing.
I’m gonna listen so I can learn more,
Anywhere and anytime.
I’m gonna listen, so I can learn more,
Anywhere and anytime.
I’m gonna work so I can do more,
Anywhere and anytime.
I’m gonna work so I can do more,
Anywhere and anytime.
I’m gonna practice so I can be more,
Anywhere and anytime.
I’m gonna practice so I can be more,
Anywhere and anytime.
How could you apply this song to your own students’ lives? I’m thinking of singing it with my piano students at the end of each lesson, especially those who often “forget” to practice!
Stop, Think and Do
The teachers at my school often ask me to write very specific songs to enhance their classroom lessons. After all, my job as a music therapist is to support each classroom’s progress toward established goals and objectives. Last month I was asked to write a song featuring the phrase “stop, think and do”. This is a motto in our classroom for students with behavioral issues; they are encouraged to go through this process in any situation which could possibly result in making a bad decision.
I wanted this song to be an interactive experience for the students; not only does it remind them to follow those three steps, but I also provide opportunities to share situations in which the process was successful for them. I’ll explain further after you have a chance to listen and read the lyrics:
Well there are three little words I wanna say to you:
Stop, think and do.
Before you take action, every time, it’s true,
Stop, think and do.
Stop moving and pause, and think it through,
And then you can do (doot-do-doot-do).
When you’re angry, you need to make a good choice.
Stop, think and do.
When you’re angry, you need to use your voice.
Stop, think and do.
CHORUS
When you’re upset, you need to make a good choice.
Stop, think and do.
When you’re upset, you need to use your voice.
Stop, think and do.
CHORUS
When you’re hurting, you need to make a good choice.
Stop, think and do.
When you’re hurting, you need to use your voice.
Stop, think and do.
CHORUS
Situations in which a student is feeling angry, upset, or hurt are the most important times to “stop, think and do”. After each verse, I invite the class to share a time when they felt that particular emotion, followed he steps, and made a good decision. This is a group of students that love to talk, so I give them plenty of time to do so in a structured manner. (We begin each music therapy session with “Share Something Positive” and wrap it up with “Compliments” just before the goodbye song.)
I think turning these types of phrases into songs increases their effectiveness, especially if children listen to and sing them on a regular basis. Do you have any phrases similar to “stop, think, and do” that are frequently used in your classroom, therapy sessions, or your own home? It just might be my next song topic – so please share!
Time to Rhyme!
Children are surrounded by rhyme: they’re in picture books, songs, nursery rhymes, and on the television shows they watch. And although rhyming comes naturally to lots of kids, the concept itself can seem somewhat foreign.
This was the case with one classroom in particular at my school; a speech therapist came to me looking for song ideas that teach rhyming. I’m sure there are many great ones out there already, but in my usual fashion, I saw this as the perfect opportunity to write a new song.
A rhyme is when you repeat a sound again,
It usually happens at the end
Of a line in a song or poetry,
Now let’s try it, you and me.
Time to rhyme, fill in the blanks if you know
The missing word, ready, set, go!
During class we sit in our seat,
We do not stand up on our (pause) feet.
We brush our teeth before we go to bed,
Then on the pillow we rest our (pause) head.
CHORUS
In the winter, snow will fall,
We can make a round snow- (pause) ball.
In the spring, a flower grows,
We can smell it with our (pause) nose.
CHORUS
Look outside and see the sun,
Shining down on every- (pause) one.
Following all the rules is cool,
When we’re swimming in the (pause) pool.
A rhyme is when you repeat a sound again,
It usually happens at the end
Of a line in a song or poetry,
Thanks for rhyming along with me.
Not only does this song explain (very briefly and basically) the definition of a rhyme, but it gives the students several opportunities for correctly rhyming given words. The sentences give a context for the missing word, and most of my verbal students have been successful at completing the rhymes so far.
The fun thing about this song is that you can always change the sentences in each verse to appeal to your own students, or to make the rhymes easier or harder as needed. Better yet, let the kids write new sentences! Coming up with rhymes is one of my favorite aspects of songwriting; it’s a challenge, but a fun one.
Do you know of any other songs that teach rhyming? One of my favorites for flexing my students’ rhyming muscles is “Down by the Bay”
Bucklin’ Our Seatbelts
When I received a request for a seatbelt song via Facebook yesterday, I jumped at this songwriting opportunity. I also asked myself: why hadn’t I thought of it already? Buckling up is essential to our safety, and it’s a habit we learn at an early age. Some kids just need a gentle reminder, and what better way to remind them than through song!
We’re gonna get in the car and take a ride,
So let’s open the door and get inside,
But before we pull away,
And before it’s time to play,
We need to buckle up.
Click, click, click,
We’re bucklin’ our seatbelts.
Click, click, click,
We gotta be safe.
A click for me, and a click for you,
Bucklin’ up is what we do!
What other safety skills can you think of that might make a good song topic? I’ve already written these, but I’d love to add to the collection. And of course, if you are looking for something a bit more personalized for your little guy or gal, you can always opt for a custom song.
While you’re busy brainstorming safety song ideas, I’ll be whipping up several new tunes for you over the next couple of weeks. In May, I begin helping my students prepare for the transition from the regular school year to summer school, or for some, graduation and entry into the “adult” world. It’s an exciting time, and a great opportunity to make music together!
The Ice Age Song
If you’ve seen Ice Age, then you probably recognize these creatures as the main characters. My song is unrelated to the film, but I loved this picture – and the animals just happen to be the right species! “The Ice Age Song” is my attempt at consolidating general knowledge about this prehistoric era in a way that children can understand.
Now, this is not a topic I’d cover as a matter of course. But my sorority’s local alumnae association is hosting a kids camp-in with an Ice Age theme at the Illinois State Museum later this month, and guess who is providing the musical entertainment? I did actually do a search for songs on this subject, but unfortunately came up empty-handed. So I got to work writing my own, and this is what I came up with:
Millions of years ago,
The earth was covered in ice and snow,
No oak tree grew, no grass on the ground.
Only glaciers all around.
The air was cold, the land was bare,
In the Ice Age everywhere.
Wooly mammoths, and cave bears too,
And wooly rhinos, just to name a few.
Were animals who lived back when,
But have become extinct since then.
There were also reindeer with their great big hooves,
And horses, bison and wolves.
CHORUS
35,000 years before now,
The Ice Age people lived somehow.
They hunted with tools they made from rock and bone,
In caves and shelters they found a home.
Fire kept them warm and scared the animals away,
They were able to live this way.
CHORUS
The Ice Age was a time of discovery
For those who came before you and me.
Eventually the ice began to melt away,
And the Earth evolved into what it is today.
Now glaciers and fossils and drawings show,
That the Ice Age existed long ago.
CHORUS
I kept the information pretty basic and straightforward, bearing in mind that my audience will be made up of late-elementary school students. My program comes at the end of the evening, though, so by then, they’ll probably already know all of this and then some. In fact, maybe the kids could help me write “The Ice Age Song: Part 2”. Hmm…now that’s not a bad idea!
Remix: Shaky Colorful Fruit
Last fall I posted a song I wrote specifically for my set of Nino Fruit Shakers, which I titled “Shaky Fruit” (you can read the post and listen to the original song here). Well my students who I see in private practice just can’t seem to get enough of that song, so I decided to bring it to The Hope Institute this month. We are focusing on healthy foods, so it fit in perfectly with our theme.
Unfortunately, we don’t have the Nino Fruit Shakers here at school, but you know me and my habit of adapting songs to fit any situation. All I did was change up the lyrics to match the instruments we have on hand (the Basic Beat chiquitas
Doot-doot-do-doot, shaky fruit,
Blueberry, grape, apple, pear, banana
Doot-doot-do-doot, shaky fruit,
From Mississippi to Indiana.
Shaky blueberry, shaky blueberry,
Blue and crunchy too.
Shaky blueberry, shaky blueberry,
Doot-doot-do-doot-doo.
Shaky grape, shaky grape,
Purple and juicy too.
Shaky grape, shaky grape,
Doot-doot-do-doot-doo.
Shaky apple, shaky apple,
Red and crunchy too.
Shaky apple, shaky apple,
Doot-doot-do-doot-doo.
Shaky pear, shaky pear,
Green and delicious too.
Shaky pear, shaky pear,
Doot-doot-do-doot-doo.
Shaky banana, shaky banana,
Yellow and tasty too.
Shaky banana, shaky banana,
Doot-doot-do-doot-doo.
“Shaky Colorful Fruit” debuted this morning, on this first Monday back after Spring Break. I had to practice it a few times through first so that I could get the new lyrics down…so far, so good :) My students are also shakin’ to the beat of “Eat Like a Rainbow” by Jay Mankita, along with a few other originals devoted to mealtime.
Happy Face, Happy Voice
Whining. We all do it from time to time, whether you’re a child, mature adult, or my dog at 4 in the morning. For kids, whining comes naturally in unfavorable situations, or even just when they’re tired and cranky. How many times have the words “stop whining!” come out of your mouth? Probably quite a few if you’re a parent, teacher, or anyone else who spends time with children on a regular basis.
But that phrase may fall upon deaf ears after awhile, so how about a new way to help nip this bad habit in the bud? That was the strategy for one of my consult clients, who requested a custom-written song about using a “happy face and happy voice” instead of whining.
When you are unhappy and feeling blue,
There are just a few things that you need to do.
Just listen up, and you’ll be fine,
As long as you don’t whine.
First you need to find your happy face,
Then you need to find your happy voice.
When you talk without a whine,
And smile, you shine.
You’re making the right choice!
Simple and to the point. It’s amazing how such basic songs can be so effective, as long as the message is clear. What other bad habits might be addressed through a song like this?
Wave Goodbye to Winter
Warning: I might be contagious, so don’t come near me unless you want to catch…spring fever! Here are a few of my symptoms:
- jumping for joy at the appearance of sunlight
- impatiently counting down the days left of winter
- the urge to hug the weatherman for predicting warmer temps
- spontaneously breaking into songs about spring
I’ve come down with a very serious case, and it’s only getting worse with each passing day. But I take comfort in knowing I’m not alone in my suffering; it seems that spring fever is running rampant. Have you fallen victim?
The good news is that my spring fever inspired me to write a new song, and every time I sing it, I can’t help but feel giddy at the prospect of birds singing in the trees, warm sunshine on my face, green grass, and blooming flowers.
Wave goodbye to winter,
Say hello to spring.
Clap your hands,
Oh, clap your hands,
Oh, clap your hands and sing!
Sing because spring is almost here.
Sing because the sky will be blue and clear.
Sing with the birds, up in the tree,
Sing and (clap your hands) with me!
Wave goodbye to snow,
Say hello to spring.
Sway side to side,
Oh, side to side,
Sway side to side and sing!
CHORUS
Wave goodbye to cold air,
Say hello to spring.
Wave your arms,
Oh, wave your arms,
Oh, wave your arms and sing!
CHORUS
Wave goodbye to gray days,
Say hello to spring.
Tap your toes,
Oh, tap your toes,
Oh, tap your toes and sing!
In 17 days, we can officially wave goodbye to winter and celebrate the official start of spring. But for now, I’ll settle for a week of sunshine, 40-degree (and climbing) temperatures, and best of all, little to no precipitation. It’s the small victories, you know? After this brutal winter, I’ll take whatever I can get!
Marching Right Along
Is it just me, or did February seem to drag on and on? Thankfully, that dreary winter month is finally behind us and March is here! On the horizon: SPRING, a weekend in Chicago, my puppy’s first birthday, and a week-long break (during which I’ll be recording a CD in St. Louis).
I was so excited about the advent of month #3 that I even recorded a new version of my “March” song. I wanted to pep it up just a bit, so I added some drums, bass and harmonies and this was the final result:
March is here, yes March is here,
The third month of the year.
Thirty one days march into spring,
And that is a wonderful thing.
Yes that is a wonderful thing.
St. Patrick’s Day will come around,
Find four-leaf clovers on the ground.
Leprechauns and rainbows too,
Clothes of green for me and you.
CHORUS
Get ready for the start of spring,
And all the fun that it will bring.
Soon enough we’ll have spring break,
Let’s celebrate, for goodness sake!
CHORUS (2x)
Even though today is a holiday, March is off to a busy start for me! This whole week is going to fly by, in fact. The clock is ticking, so it’s time for me to get a move on. Happy first day of March (and Casimir Pulaski Day), everyone :)
Slow and In Control
My students are movers and shakers, in every sense of the phrase. Walk into any classroom and you’ll see that for yourself, trust me! While this can definitely be a positive thing when it comes time to do some sort of physical activity, it can also be a distraction during structured physical tasks (like carrying a big stack of books!) and other non-physical activities in either a closed or public environment.
I think every child needs a reminder to be “slow and in control” every once in a while, which is why I was so glad when I received a custom-written song request using that very phrase. The actions that I list in the verses are very general and apply to everyday life at home and school, but feel free to replace them with actions that are specific to your student or child.
In most everything you do,
Take a breath and think it through,
Be slow and in control.
Rushing and hurrying is for the birds,
So remember these four little words,
Slow and in control.
When you’re drawing a picture,
Be slow and in control.
When you’re cutting with scissors,
Be slow and in control.
When you’re carrying something,
Be slow and in control.
When you’re pouring a drink,
Be slow and in control.
When you’re out in public,
Be slow and in control.
When you’re with your friends,
Be slow and in control.
When you’re doing your work,
Be slow and in control.
When you’re cleaning up,
Be slow and in control.
I’m already thinking up different ways to use this song: it could be sung before a task as a way to prepare the child, or even during it, turning the verses into a “slow and controlled” step-by-step guide. How might you use this song, and what actions would you add with your little ones in mind?
Who is Green in Color and 150 Feet Tall?
Why, Lovely Lady Liberty, of course! When one of my consult clients requested a custom song about the Statue of Liberty for her daughter, I jumped at the chance. Having just returned from New York City, I felt inspired by this famous landmark and couldn’t wait to pen a song about the it. My plan was to create something that was both fun and informational, and to be honest, writing this song proved to be quite a challenge. There were so many facts to include, yet so few opportunities for rhymes! But I think it turned out pretty well…what about you?
In 1886, on an autumn day,
People traveled from all the way
In France, to the U.S. to show
Their friendship, they gave what we all know (as)
The Statue of Liberty
This lovely lady came to be
A famous sight, recognized by all,
Green in color, and standing tall.
Green in color, and standing tall.
150 feet high she stands,
On a pedestal, looking over all the lands.
She holds a torch, a tabula, too,
And wears a stola, and sandals, and a crown, it’s true.
CHORUS
She lives on a island in New York, off the coast,
When people visit, she’s a gracious host.
They can go inside, way up to her crown,
And enjoy the view, looking all around.
CHORUS
She’s a universal symbol, for our country,
Of freedom and democracy.
A National Monument, admirable,
She represents the U.S. as a whole.
CHORUS
What other national landmarks and monuments would make great song topics? Now that I’ve tackled the Statue of Liberty, I think I’m ready for another challenge. Amanda Ellis of More With Music guessed that today’s song would be about Abraham Lincoln, and I think she’s on to something…after all, I do live in the Land of Lincoln!
Body Cross, Apple Sauce
“Crossing the midline” is a term you hear quite often as a parent, and if you are a therapist or teacher, it is often a goal for many of your students or clients. This action refers to any movement that requires one side of the body to cross over the center line of the body.
Kimberly Sena Moore wrote a fantastic post on her blog, Music Therapy Maven, about the importance of crossing the midline and how this skill affects a child’s abilities in many other areas of function. I highly recommend reading it to learn more about this subject.
As a music therapist, this goal is very common amongst my students, which is why I wrote a song meant to target such movements. Some of the motor skills included in the song are more difficult than others, but I wanted it to be as comprehensive as possible so that students can work towards successfully achieving all of the movements in the song.
Body cross, apple sauce,
Movin to the beat,
You can do it sittin’ down,
Or up on your feet.
Body cross, apple sauce,
Do as I say,
Move, move your body
This way.
Body cross, apple sauce,
Here we go,
Make your left hand touch
Your right elbow.
Bring your hand across, to
Your other elbow, you see,
Move, move, movin’ your body.
Body cross, apple sauce,
Here we go,
Make your right hand touch
Your left elbow.
Bring your arm across, to
Your other elbow, you see,
Move, move, movin’ your body.
Body cross, apple sauce,
Here we go,
Make your left knee touch
Your right elbow.
Bring your arm across,
So it can touch your other knee,
Move, move, movin’ your body.
Body cross, apple sauce,
Here we go,
Make your right knee touch
Your left elbow.
Bring your arm across,
So it can touch your other knee,
Move, move, movin’ your body.
Body cross, apple sauce,
If you please,
Make your left hand
Give your right shoulder a squeeze.
Bring your arm across, to
Your other shoulder, you see.
Move, move, movin’ your body.
Body cross, apple sauce,
If you please,
Make your right hand
Give your left shoulder a squeeze.
Bring your arm across, to
Your other shoulder, you see.
Move, move, movin’ your body.
Body cross, apple sauce,
Your pardon I beg,
Give a little kick across
With your left leg.
Kick your leg across the other,
To the right, you see,
Move, move, movin’ your body.
Body cross, apple sauce,
Your pardon I beg,
Give a little kick across
With your right leg.
Kick your leg across the other,
To the left, you see,
Move, move, movin’ your body.
Do you have any other strategies for targeting this important skill? If you can think of any additional “across the midline” movements I’ve left out, please share so that I can add to the song.
People You Do & Don’t Know
I very distinctly remember my mom sitting my brother and I down and telling us all about stranger danger. She explained who we could trust to stay with us, take us places, and even made up a code word for adults to let us know that it was okay to go with them in the case of an emergency situation. Now, over twenty years later, I still get lectures about stranger danger from my mom, but I guess I can’t blame her. After all, the world can be a scary place, as we are too often reminded by the stories in newspapers and on television.
The song that I wrote to address this topic identifies three different categories of adults:
- Safe Side Adults
- People You Kind of Know
- Strangers
Today’s song identifies and defines the three categories, and also determines whether or not it is safe to go with people from each. The term “Safe Side Adult” came from a consult client who uses this word with her children (a benefit of custom-written songs – incorporating your own phrases and terminology).
The world is full of people,
Some you’ll know and some you won’t.
I wanna tell you ’bout three
Kinds of people you see,
Some you can go with, some you don’t.
A safe side adult is a person that you know.
With a safe side adult it’s okay to go.
Because it’s your grandma, grandpa, mom or dad,
Or someone that you’ve been told:
Is a safe side adult, a person you know,
With whom it’s okay to go.
There are also people that you kind of know.
With those people you shouldn’t go,
Unless a safe side adult has told you for sure,
That a person, specifically,
Is someone you can trust and know,
With whom it’s okay to go.
A stranger is a person that you don’t know.
With a stranger you should never go.
Because it’s someone that you’ve never seen before,
Or someone that you’ve been told,
Is a stranger, a person you don’t know,
With whom you should not go.
The world is full of people,
Some you’ll know and some you won’t.
I told you ’bout three
Kinds of people you see,
Some you can go with, some you don’t.
I’m sure you noticed that the tone is a little heavier than my other songs; I wrote the melody this way on purpose. Children need to realize how serious the topic of strangers really is, and I wanted this song to reflect that seriousness. What methods have you used to approach this subject with your children or students? Know of any other stranger danger songs? I’d love to hear about them!
The Feelings in My Heart
We talk a lot about love during February. After all, it is the month in which we celebrate Valentine’s Day! But what about all of those other feelings we experience on a daily basis? Recognizing, expressing, and regulating emotions are important skills for any child, including those with whom I work. I had this is mind when I wrote today’s song, “The Feelings in My Heart”. Take a listen:
Happiness, Excitement, Anger, Sadness, and Love,
My feelings are in my heart.
You can tell how I am feeling by my actions and words,
But in my heart is where they start.
I laugh and I smile when I’m happy,
Having fun with my friends for a while,
Happiness is a feeling I have in my heart,
It makes me laugh and smile.
I jump up and down when I’m excited,
When good things are coming around.
Excitement is a feeling I have in my heart,
It makes me jump up and down.
CHORUS
I yell and I pout when I’m angry,
When there’s something I’m mad about,
Anger is a feeling I have in my heart,
It makes me yell and pout.
I cry and I frown when I’m sad,
When I’m hurting or feeling down,
Sadness is a feeling I have in my heart,
It makes me cry and frown.
CHORUS
I hug joyfully when I feel love,
For my friend or my family,
Love is a feeling I have in my heart,
It makes me hug joyfully.
I used this song yesterday with a class of middle school students who have behavioral issues. After each verse, we went around the room and gave examples of healthy ways to express that particular emotion. Not only did I receive some very interesting responses, but I got a little more insight into my students and what they are all about. I’m planning another activity related to this topic for next week. I am going to create snippets of popular songs, which I’ll play for the class and ask them to identify whether each song reflects happiness, excitement, anger, sadness, or love. I will provide the lyrics for analysis, and of course, some of the songs will fall into more than one category. I’ve learned that anytime you can incorporate music that the students actually listen to outside of school (as long as it is school-appropriate), the opportunity should be seized!
Happy Groundhog Day!
If you’ve already had your fill of winter, then you’ll be disappointed to hear that Punxsutawney Phil did indeed see his shadow this morning. I have most definitely had enough of this season, but I resigned myself long ago to the fact that the groundhog ALWAYS sees his shadow, and there will ALWAYS be six more weeks of winter.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a song about Groundhog Day…but I know someone who does! Fellow music therapist Wade Richards of Time for Music has a wonderful podcast, and his latest episode features not only a rockin’ Groundhog Day song, but also a super-fun tune for Super Bowl Sunday. Check it out!
Spring may be six weeks away, but now that it’s February, we are one step closer :) What are your plans for this month? I’m excited about the upcoming Illinois Federation of Music Clubs’ annual Festival, in which several of my piano students will be participating. It will be both their first time and mine, so it should be a great learning experience for all of us. Other than that, I have some fun projects to share with you in the next couple of weeks. I know I have been hinting at them for a while now, so I promise to spill the beans soon. In the meantime, here’s the song my students and I are singing all month long:
February is month number two,
The shortest of all the months, it’s true.
Usually twenty-eight days, but sometimes
At leap year, then there’ll be twenty-nine.
February second is Groundhog Day,
We’ll wait for the animal to come out and play.
Let’s hope his shadow he does not see,
It means spring will soon be here for you and me.
CHORUS
February fourteenth is Valentine’s Day,
We’ll give out cards and “I love you,” we’ll say.
Time for chocolate, and candy hearts too,
Pink and red flowers for me and you.
CHORUS
February also brings President’s Day,
Remembering those who paved the way
For the US to become so great,
And that is why we celebrate.
CHORUS
Do the Clock Rock!
My students and I have been rocking out all month to this song (which can be found on the pages of my Listen & Learn Songbook, by the way!) and this blog post is definitely past due. Telling time is another one of those skills that every child must learn, and I have come across (and put into use) a fair share of songs meant to teach just that.
The song I wrote is about as simple as it gets. It’s a stepping stone to the more complicated aspects of reading the clock, which I’ll get to in my next tick-tock tune :) For now, we focus on the numbers and use simple choreography (arm motions mimicking the hands of the clock) to show how they are situated. By now, the classroom staff at The Hope Institute are experts at it!
Doo-doot, doo, do the clock rock,
Rockin’ all day and night,
Doo-doot, doo, do the clock rock.
Round and round, with all our might.
Start at the top, that’s twelve AM.
One, two, three, four, five,
Six at the bottom,
Seven, eight, nine, ten,
Eleven and then,
We’ve made it back to twelve again!
CHORUS
Start at the top, that’s twelve PM.
One, two, three, four, five,
Six at the bottom,
Seven, eight, nine, ten,
Eleven and then,
We’ve made it back to twelve again!
CHORUS
Many of the classrooms at my school have those plastic or cardboard clocks with movable arms, which come in very handy when we sing this song. The rest of the time, I draw my own clocks, or just use hand motions – my students LOVE doing the “Clock Rock” dance – to emphasize the information presented in this song. The more fun you make it, the more effective a teaching tool it will be!
That Yellow Bus
Transitions from one place or activity to another are one of my students’ biggest areas of struggle. One particularly difficult transition that a majority of children face on a daily basis is getting on and off on the bus. Student arrival and departure is quite an event at my school, especially for students who ride the bus. Another therapist (from a different school, but who happens to be a family member!) told me about a student of hers who is having lots of trouble with bus transitions. She asked me if I had a song dealing with this topic, and I replied that I didn’t yet, but to give me a few days.
The song that resulted is uncomplicated and repetitive. It covers each and every bus transition: getting on to go to school, getting off at school, getting back on after school is finished, and getting off at home. Take a listen to “That Yellow Bus” and see what you think:
When it’s time to go to school,
This is what you gotta do:
Get, get, get on the bus!
Once you are inside,
You’re gonna take a ride:
Get, get, get on the bus!
Snap your fingers, tap your feet,
While you’re cruisin’ down the street,
In that yellow bus.
When you get to school,
This is what you gotta do:
Get, get, get off the bus!
To your class is where you’ll go,
This you already know:
Get, get, get off the bus!
Snap your fingers, tap your feet,
Your day is gonna be sweet,
Once you’re off that yellow bus.
When school is through,
This is what you gotta do:
Get, get, get on the bus!
Once you are inside,
You’re gonna take a ride:
Get, get, get on the bus!
Snap your fingers, tap your feet,
While you’re cruisin’ down the street,
In that yellow bus.
When you’re home from school,
This is what you gotta do:
Get, get, get off the bus!
In your house is where you’ll go,
This you already know:
Get, get, get off the bus!
Snap your fingers, tap your feet,
Your afternoon will be sweet,
Once you’re off that yellow bus.
This snappy little ditty is one that I think will come in handy for many of the students at my school and elsewhere. Plus, it’s just fun! The therapist who requested it has two little boys, and she told me last night that they were dancing around the kitchen last night while they listened and sang along. Now that put a big smile on my face :)
Making Friends: A Step-by-Step Song
One of my favorite things about the holidays was getting to see all my friends who grew up with me in Springfield, but now live far away. Katie (middle) and I have been friends since we got our identical winter coats mixed up after a show choir performance in the 8th grade. She was my maid of honor in my wedding, and she asked me to be hers following her recent engagement. Jill (right) and I became friends way back in the 5th grade, when we were in a school performance of The Wizard of Oz together. We were also in each other’s weddings.
These friendships came easily, but for many children, making friends can be a difficult and overwhelming experience. Most of my students are diagnosed with autism, and social skills are a major area of focus in the classroom and in music therapy. One of the teachers at my school asked me to write a song about making friends, and why having friends is important. I kept it basic, using language my students can comprehend, though it can be easily adapted for individual children and social situations.
Step one: wear a smile.
Step two: say hello.
Step three: introduce yourself,
To someone you wanna get to know.
Step four: have a conversation,
Ask a question or two.
Making friends can be so simple,
All you have to do is just be you.
You gotta have friends to make you laugh,
Help you feel better when you are sad.
You gotta have friends to make you smile,
Help you feel calm when you are mad.
You gotta have friends so don’t be shy,
Go out and give it a try,
Anyone would be lucky, ooh-ooh,
To have a friend like you.
REPEAT ALL
I emphasized the importance of “being yourself” because many times, children in general, like adults, try to change certain aspects of themselves – be it their behavior, appearance, mannerisms, etc. – in order to fit in or befriend someone. Self-esteem is a value that should be encouraged at any given opportunity, and this song is just another one of those opportunities.
This particular tune lends itself to role-playing, either between the student and therapist/teacher/parent or between two or more students. Work together to establish comfortable conversation starters, appropriate dialogue, and body langauge. If you were to write a song on this topic, what steps would you add? If you’ve taught social skills and have any tricks up your sleeve, I’d love to hear about them.
Ways to Spend Holiday Break
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?
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