Assessments

You notice the first three letters in the word "assessment"....that's where it causes the most pain. haha.  This week I've been working on simply deciding which assessment to use on 3 different students I've chosen.  For some odd reason, I pick 3 completely different diagnosis.  This means 3 completely different assessments.  I guess the practice is good, right?

For all of you music therapist out there I recommend the Westplate.  It is user friendly.  However, it is out of print because it is so popular.  Go find an older therapist who has a copy! It is worth looking over.

I have been making some pretty adorable visuals for my sessions, if I do say so myself.

This particular activity I wrote a little song for my purpose.  There are 10 different color leaves.  The students meet my friend "Willow" and she asks for help putting her leaves back on.  My song lyrics were:

My leaves are falling, falling down

My leaves are falling all around

My leaves are falling, falling down

Will you help me put them back?

I would provide the chords, but it's really just a chant.  It is appropriate for elementary aged kids, obviously.  However, it was suggested by a supervisor to change the lyrics to make it more hip and then it could be appropriate for low functioning MS or HS kids.  

There are 5 acorns and 1 squirrel.  I did not write this song.  It is a piggy back that I found from the internet:

Five Little Acorsn (tune: 5 little ducks)

5 little acorns swaying in a tree

Hanging from a branch as high as can be.

Along came the wind and blew one away.

Four little acorns were left to sway.

Continue through song counting down to one...last verse:

Down came a squirrel from high in the tree

Searching for food as fast as can be

He saw those acorns small and round

And hid them in a hole that he dug in the ground