Happy first day of Spring!
While I like different aspects of each season of the year, I'm definitely looking forward to spring weather! Not too hot, not too cold and plenty of sunshine for everyone.
Today I'm re-sharing a song that I use a lot in classrooms.
It's called the Sounds of Spring.
When I sing this song, I first teach the signs for the three sounds mentioned in the song: wind, bees and birds. We sign the sounds as we sing. I have a visual of each sound as well as sound effects (prerecorded on voice output devices), so the students can see and hear each sound.
If you have any students who are nonverbal, they can participate in the song with either the sign language or by using the voice output devices to play the sounds as they are sung in the song.
Now for the giveaway! I'm giving you my visuals for this song for free today!
Click on the link below to grab the free visuals!
SoundsofSpringVisual
As always, thanks for stopping by!
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Monday, March 20, 2017
Thursday, March 16, 2017
A song for St. Patrick's Day!
Today I'm sharing a song that I just recorded this week!
One of the elementary teachers I work with requested a song to further help the students understand the following motions: straight, around, fast/slow, zig zag and back and forth.
As I sat down to brainstorm some ideas, I quickly thought that a couple of the motions are really abstract if you don't already have prior knowledge or experience with them (zig zag, back and forth). Next I remembered that St. Patrick's Day was just days away and decided the song would be about a leprechaun.
In this song, the leprechaun puts on his hat ("pulls it straight down"), walks around his pot of gold, slides up and down the rainbow (fast and then slow), zig zags through the garden and dances back and forth to the music. I then created a visual to go along with the song and incorporated the smart board so students could come up to the board in between verses and practice those motions with their fingers and/or smart board pen.
What songs do you love that teach motions?
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
One of the elementary teachers I work with requested a song to further help the students understand the following motions: straight, around, fast/slow, zig zag and back and forth.
As I sat down to brainstorm some ideas, I quickly thought that a couple of the motions are really abstract if you don't already have prior knowledge or experience with them (zig zag, back and forth). Next I remembered that St. Patrick's Day was just days away and decided the song would be about a leprechaun.
In this song, the leprechaun puts on his hat ("pulls it straight down"), walks around his pot of gold, slides up and down the rainbow (fast and then slow), zig zags through the garden and dances back and forth to the music. I then created a visual to go along with the song and incorporated the smart board so students could come up to the board in between verses and practice those motions with their fingers and/or smart board pen.
What songs do you love that teach motions?
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Monday, March 13, 2017
Special Olympics
Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.
Many students I work with have been learning and singing about Special Olympics this month, as it is quickly approaching in my neck of the woods.
It's always a great day of celebrating abilities instead of disabilities. I love to see all the families and volunteers who come out to support and cheer on the athletes.
I wrote the song below to help celebrate this special day.
The song is based on the special olympics motto.
In many of the classrooms I serve, we have been discussing the meanings of the words brave and attempt. There have been a lot of great responses. Many of the students shared that they understood brave to have something to do with being scared of something. I was particularly impressed when one student raised his hand and said, "When you are brave, it means you believe in yourself." What a great definition! I couldn't help but think about how many of the students have to be brave everyday to accomplish basic tasks and get through their day. Sometimes that really puts things into perspective.
I encourage all of you to support the athletes in your local Special Olympics.
Stay tuned for more song posts!
Many students I work with have been learning and singing about Special Olympics this month, as it is quickly approaching in my neck of the woods.
It's always a great day of celebrating abilities instead of disabilities. I love to see all the families and volunteers who come out to support and cheer on the athletes.
I wrote the song below to help celebrate this special day.
The song is based on the special olympics motto.
In many of the classrooms I serve, we have been discussing the meanings of the words brave and attempt. There have been a lot of great responses. Many of the students shared that they understood brave to have something to do with being scared of something. I was particularly impressed when one student raised his hand and said, "When you are brave, it means you believe in yourself." What a great definition! I couldn't help but think about how many of the students have to be brave everyday to accomplish basic tasks and get through their day. Sometimes that really puts things into perspective.
I encourage all of you to support the athletes in your local Special Olympics.
Stay tuned for more song posts!