I love picking up new things to incorporate into my sessions. The Target dollar spot sometimes has some great finds! On a recent trip, I picked up a pack of phonics cards. I have several clients who are working on a lot of speech and academic goals. I love these cards because they are so diverse. Not only can you work on identifying letters and their sounds, but each picture has several objects that start with the the letter at the top of the card. On the backs of the cards are several words on the back. Not only do I ask clients to identify letters, sounds, and words, but I ask them to talk about the picture on the card. I use the simple song below to prompt clients to look up at the card and tell me what they see! How do you use flash cards in your sessions? Read More
Category: Resources
Songwriting for Review – Free Printable
Many piano teaching methods have a “test” at the end of a level to make sure students have learned all that they are meant to. Often, my students get nervous about all of the words on the page and get too caught up in all the terminology to do well on the questions. This also only tests their memorization of terms and concepts instead of their application. To combat this and instead work on reviewing the application of these concepts, I’ve developed a songwriting review form that be used with students at ANY level! Simply fill in the blanks and fill the box with what words and ideas you want the student to incorporate in your student’s song!! Download Songwriting Sheet HERE! Read More
2 Fill in the Blank Songs for Music Therapists
The hospital can be a very strange, intimidating, and stressful place for children and their families. There are new sounds, new people, uncomfortable feelings, and so much that is unfamiliar. Music therapy can be a great way to comfort, console, and help kids cope with what is going on around them. In my music therapy sessions, I sometimes use fill-in-the-blank songs as a device to get kids talking about their hospitalization or working on coping skills. “In the Hospital” is adapted from the song “In the Jungle” and asks children to talk about new experiences, sounds, and people at the hospital. “Take Me Out to the _____” is adapted from “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and focuses on describing a child’s favorite place or somewhere they would like to go. These interventions could be adapted for individuals of all ages and can be used in multiple settings. Below you will find both the FREE printable versions of these songs along with examples. ENJOY!! In The Hospital – Free Printable In the Hospital (example) Take Me Out Read More
Spanish Words Related to Music
Today, I’ve put together a short resource list of music words and their Spanish Translation. Though it’s a short post, these links have TONS of valuable information. http://foxhugh.wordpress.com/spanish/186-spanish-music-vocabulary/ (musical terms) http://www.dmcclure.org/voc-mus.htm (musical terms) http://www.123teachme.com/spanish_word_for/music (phrases about music) http://www.enchantedlearning.com/languages/spanish/subjects/music.shtml (awesome instrument flash cards) http://quizlet.com/3254918/spanish-music-vocabulary-flash-cards/ (Instrument names) http://spanish.wordfor.net/music-in-spanish/ (using musica in a sentence) ENJOY!!!!! Read More
Vaya a Dormir, Go to Sleep – A Spanish/English Lullaby
At the end of a session with a Spanish speaking client, the client told me they were tired and going to sleep. The mother in the room asked if I knew any bedtime songs or lullabies in Spanish. Regretfully, I said no. As I was about to leave the room, a thought occurred, “Why not write one?”. So, I asked the mother how to say “go to sleep” is Spanish. She responded “Vaya a Dormir”. Now, the dialect they speak has a “b” sound instead of a “v” sound and my pronunciation may be a little off, but the following is the simple lullaby I created on the spot. I hope you enjoy and fund some peace in this simple song. Read More