Friday, July 15, 2016

Songs with Props

Happy Friday!

Today I'm sharing a song that is sure to be a favorite among your younger students!
Why am I so sure?  Well, let's just say one word:  Trains!

If you read my last post, you are already aware of the awesome train track tape that I stumbled upon at the store.  (I'm still excited that this product even exists!)  If you missed my last post, you can scroll down or you can find it here.

Well, I decided to write another song that I could use with younger students while incorporating the train track tape (the prop for this song).  So, before you begin the song, ideally you would have the train track tape on the floor before the students/group enter the session area.  You can even use this as part of your structure to the beginning of the session, "Everyone find a spot around the train track."

This song features a chorus that repeats after each verse:
"Choo-choo, choo-choo,
Chugga, chugga, chugga
Chugga, chugga, chugga
Choo-choo, choo-choo"

The verses call on the students to follow directions and participate in 3 movements:
Stomp our feet
Pump our arms
Raise one hand high and pull down

Click on the link below to hear the Choo-Choo Train song.
(This song is also available for purchase via the link as well.)



I can't wait to use this song with some of my younger groups!  How about you?
A song lyric sheet is available upon request for this song as well.
Please email me at morewithmusic@gmail.com to request a song lyric sheet.

Have a great weekend!

Friday, July 1, 2016

Songs with Props

Happy Friday!
I've been busy going through my vault of songs and making lists of new song topics to work on and spending time creating new ways to implement oldies but goodies too.
Today I came across a song I shared awhile back called "Clickety Clack".



Many of the students I work with love trains, so I wrote this song to implement one of their favorite toys while addressing counting goals (specifically counting and recognizing numbers 1-5).

In terms of implementing this song, I typically use laminated cut outs of different color trains with the numbers on the sides of them.  (Sometimes I also have the number word on the other side of each train and this allows me to address another goal with some students who can already identify the numerals but not the number words themselves).

As I sing the song, students either hold up their train or place it on the floor and we put them in order after all the numbers have been identified.

Well, today while I was out shopping, I saw the coolest prop for this song!
Train Track Play Tape! (They have it at Wal-Mart for $9.33!)




It's a roll of tape that easily sticks to flat surfaces and comes off with no sticky residue leftover to clean up.
How cool is that?!?





So now, I can place a piece of tape on the carpet or table and the students can place their trains on the tape.  What a cool prop!  It also functions as a visual number line when we place the trains in order from 1-5 also.

How could you implement trains and/or train tape within your music therapy sessions?
Do you have song props that you just love?  Please comment below and share!