It has been too long my friends.

It has been such a long time since I blogged.  Let's just say things have been very crazy.  I am currently not doing music therapy and it, quite frankly, makes me very depressed.  I can not find work.  Living in a rural area makes it very difficult to convince people how awesome music therapy is for their children or patients.  I've been dealing with a great deal of "other" stress as well.  Earlier this week, I had a melt down.  I was ready to call it quits on trying to make anything happen around this town.  However, after several prayers went up for me, I've decided to let it all go.  If God wants me to work in this town using the talents he gave me, then he will open doors for me.  I'm trying to give everything to God and not worry.  That's easier said than done, but that's all that I know to do.

God's will not mine.

New Name...

As you can see the title of my music therapy intern blog has changed to Notes of Hope.  This is the name of my music therapy private practice.  Currently, I'm just starting out and I'm excited to start my career.  For so long, I have pushed to get away from my hometown.  However, coming home does something to a girl. I found God calling me to stay.  Really God?  I'm excited and I'm anxious.  I want to herd up a lot of clientele.  I want to start using music to make a difference in the lives of kids.

Starting out, I'll take what I can get.  I want to work strictly with kids, but I realize God may throw some old peeps out there too.  I'm cool with that, just want to make sure that's what I'm supposed to do.

I have a lot to do...and the remainder of my summer to get it "d-u-n, DUN" as Stephanie would say.  Wish me luck, and say a few prayers.

Goodbye my friends...

Well it's time to go.

I can't believe tomorrow is my last day! It's absolutely crazy.  This internship has been so incredible.  I have learned so much.  I feel that I am fully prepared to be the Music Therapist that God meant for me to be.  I feel very confident in myself and my abilities.  I thank each and everyone of you who have supported me through this long journey of my life.  I can not wait to embark on my next adventure!

I have a job interview that I am really excited about.  It is with a special needs & traditional pre-k school.  I am so so excited about it and I hope that this is the job God wants for me.  However, if it's not HE has something better in store for me.

Goodbye

This week I had to say goodbye to my Thursday and Friday classes.  I can't begin to express the wonderful things that were said to me and given to me.  I felt so much love and gratitude from everyone that I have worked with these past 7 months.  Below is a picture of the bouquet of flowers that my high school students presented to me on Thursday.  They all made me cry.  

Good bye is not easy, but it's something we all have to do.  I only have three more days left and this internship is over! My final evaluation was incredible.  I received all "Excellent" scores from my supervisors.  I feel so honored to be a part of such a great group of people.  

Short, Sweet, and to the point...

Friday afternoon I was announcing to my class that I had one more class with them and then I would be finished with my internship.  I made the comment, "I am going to be sad".  One of the precious little kindergartners looked at me and said "It's ok! It's ok! Don't worry Miss Tasia" and then proceeded to comfort me with the biggest hug ever.

How can I not love what I do?

Job Woes

2 weeks left of my internship.  Can you believe it?  I can't.  It's so exciting.  However, I'm feeling quite stressed.  Music therapy isn't an easy field to find a job.  You pretty much have to know the right people and be able to create a position for yourself.  Sadly, I don't know anyone, anywhere.  I've been networking like a mad woman.  My plan for this week is to send a program proposal to a facility and call another.  I really just want a job.  My mom said it best today, "I can't help but believe God has called you to this so he will provide something for you."  I know it's true.  It's just rough when you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The Cow Loves Cookies

Jump in the Line

March is my last month in the Fulton County School System Music Therapy Internship.  First off, I am thrilled to be finishing up.  Sad about leaving these kids and the wonderful people that I have bonded with along the way.  However, I'm going to stick with being happy about leaving.  I just had a splendid thought.  For my last month, I am going to highlight dancing.  I love to dance and don't do it as often as I wish.  So, here is a new activity that I DID NOT CREATE! It was a previous intern's activity. Instructions to follow song...


Dance moves are in parenthesis 
Shake shake shake senora  - (shake hands 4xs)
Shake your body line -         (rest 4 counts)
Shake shake shake senora -  (shake hands 4xs)
Shake it all the time -            (rest 4 counts)
Work work work senora -    (snap/clap 4xs)
work your body line -          (rest 4 counts)
Work work work senora -   (snap/clap 4xs)
Work it all the time -           (rest 4 counts)

My girl's name is senora - (step right together, left together) continue to step touch thru verse
I tell you friends, I adore her
And when she dances, oh brother
She's a hurricane in all kind of weather

Jump in the line, rock your body time - (Jump 4xs)
Ok I believe you - (Turn 4 counts)                           repeat for entirety of chorus


Happy singing and dancing!

GLEE - "Umbrella/Singin' In the Rain" Full Performance

It appears that we like Glee here in the Fulton County School System.  Both my elementary school and high school are using this piece during the exceptional children's week show.  Both are doing similar choreography.  Students carry and twirl umbrellas.  My high school group high lights a special soloist for the male solo.  It is very exciting music.  It gets everyone pumped!  I love it and just wanted to share with you!!!



Funny story, I have a "drama queen" student at my high school.  You can't understand what she is saying half of the time, but she puts it all out there.  She loves being the center of attention and if she's not the center of attention, she will make it happen.  Today we were having a huge rehearsal with ALL the classes in the gym at one time.  My drama queen's class was first on the list to practice their song.  The peers loved it!  After that, my drama queen continued to try to be a part of EVERY OTHER CLASS that performed.  It was quite hysterical.  However, we had to make her sit down because it's not her time to shine.  BUT, she did decide she needed to sit next to the other music therapist and help her lead.  After all the rehearsals were over "drama queen" looked at me and motioned for me to come over.  I just asked what she needed, but she kept motioning for me to come closer to her.  I started towards her and she moves to her seat between her "girls".  When I get to her, she looks up at me and with arms flailing says, "I just wanted to thank you for coming to MY show" and then she flipped her hair and stood up to give me a hug.  hahaha.  D-I-V-A

Defying Gravity

March marks the final month of my music therapy internship. Praise God.  For the remainder of my internship blog, I would like to share music, ideas, and/or activities that really touch my heart.

Next week begins Exceptional Children's Week in the Fulton County School System.  This song below is called Defying Gravity.  At this particular school, every student who is in a chair is performing this song.  The teachers/assistants are dressing in black from head to toe while the students are dressed in white.  A black light will be on the stage during this song.  All the kids will be out of their chairs "defying gravity".  Two students are walking with assistance, either being strapped to the adult or simply just walking behind them to aid in balance.  One student is in a stander and one student is riding a tricycle.  It is incredible seeing these kids out of their chairs and doing things we never see them do.  I cried today during rehearsal and I promise, I will cry during the performance.

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

CHOA!

Today, I participated in an observation of music therapy at this facility.  It was interesting and incredibly emotional.  I'm not going to sit here and fill you in on cool music therapy activities.  I really just need to unload emotionally about what took place today.

My co-intern and I observed the Rehab unit and the Cancer unit.  While at the cancer unit, all three of the patients we were going to observe were expected to pass away very soon.  At that point, I was incredibly emotional.  My co-intern and I were given the opportunity in watching the Make A Wish foundation present one of the patients with an electric guitar signed by Angus from ACDC.  The gift came with bags of other goodies and an amp.  At this point, I lost it.  This patients mom was crying and I couldn't take it.  This is why I do not want to work in the children's hospital.  I know that it comes with the job.  However, I'm not sure I'm ready to work in that area.  I would be crying and upset the entire time.

BRUSH YOUR TEETH

So, being around kids is incredible.  They teach me as much as I teach them.  At times, it seems they may teach me more.  Today in my regular ed pre-k class I learned something about teeth.  This blog is simply to share this information with you.  The song I used follows below.







After listening to this song, I asked the students to name some of the reasons why we brush our teeth.  Here are some of the answers I received:
1. To get the cereal out of my teeth
2. To make my teeth white
3. So I don't have cavities 


All of the students shared these answers in some way, but my favorite answer was:


4. To get the sugar bugs out of my teeth


haha!  Apparently, that's what dentists tell kids.  I'm pretty sure all I ever heard was, "I'm cleaning your teeth so they stay healthy."  


Happy singing and please get rid of your sugar bugs!

Groundhog Day

Just for a little info, there are not a lot of activities and songs that are Groundhog related.  So, it's important to be very creative.  A couple of things that I did today:

1) Shadow activity

Song Tune: Oh Where Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone

Oh where oh where is my shadow

Oh where oh where can it be

I have lost it now

Can you help me please?

Oh where oh where can it be?

Activity: Print out some animal pictures.  Make shadows by cutting out around the animal pictures on black paper.  Glue them on to a poster board and laminate!!!

Sing the above song and have the students match the animal picture to the animal shadow.

2) It's always good to have some instrument playing in your session
You'll need:  resonator bars/tone chimes E, A
and mallets

Song: Ground Hog by Butch Baldassari - Appalachain Mandolin & Dulcimer

Activity:  I facilitated this activity by having the students play a sequence after me or allowing them to free style.  It was interesting to watch the students when I allowed them to freestyle. After 10 sec of playing they made the decision to attempt to play my sequence even when I never once requested it.  It's also a great social tool because they had to allow me to play on the same bar as they were using.


I thought I would never be able to plan around a groundhog theme, but low and behold I pulled it off.  I even wrote a cute song to use with a puppet.  If anyone is interested in the song you can contact me.

Happy singing and God bless!

Clownin' Around

Today, was an awesome day at my elementary school.  I never thought I would enjoy a Circus theme, but I loved it!  During a typical session, I begin with hello, warm-up, and song of the month. After which, follows the circus fun!

Wimoweh (The Lion Sleeps Tonight) Laurie Berkner
goal: to improve impulse control
Materials: sand blocks (or any instrument of choice)
What to do:  The point of this activity is for the students to WAIT!  So, begin with passing out the instrument and demonstrating how to play.  I always make up some random ditty in my head to encourage the students to play.  Then "1, 2, 3 STOP"  The instruments then have to be placed on the floor.  The students wait until they are instructed to pick the sand blocks up. So on and so forth.  Next add the music!
The song begins with the lion sleeping, so have the students "sleep."  When the "wimoweh" part begins, pick up the sand blocks and play, play, play! When the verses start, "sleepy lions".

Parachute: Song: The man on the flying trapeze
goal: to improve fine motor skills
Parachutes are a great way to get the kids moving but also to give them some sensory input. Put a bean bag, balloon, or doll in the parachute and encourage the students to move the parachute up and down throwing the prop in the air!

Tightrope: Song: Entrance of the Gladiators
You'll need a balance beam ( I borrowed mine from the Adaptive PE teacher)
Turn the music on!  Allow each kiddo to walk across the beam, two times (down and back)
This is actually something they do in Special Olympics.

Laughter: Song: Everybody Laughs in the Same Language
Goal: to improve speech sounds
You'll need a microphone (real or toy)
This activity is very simple!  Turn the music on and allow each students to make the "Ha, He, or Ho" sound from the song....
as an added encouragement, try this

Happy Singing! God bless!

Piggyback: Here Comes the Sun

Sorry, I got a little tongue tied at one point!  I am actually very sleepy! I can't imagine why an intern would be sleepy on a saturday night! haha! If anyone would like to "borrow" my piggy back song, feel free.  Email me for the lead sheet, if needed! God bless

Winter Sports Ideas

The elementary school's theme for today was "winter sports", however, I did my own thing!  ;)
My supervisor and I chatted afterwards, because what in the world do you do for winter sports music activities?????

Ice Skating
You'll need some paper plates- 2 for each kiddo
and Some skating music

Put the kids feet on the plates and everyone has to slide around the carpet, or marked area, as if "skating"
That sounds like what my sister and I used to do as little kids as we watched the Olympics!


Balance Beam
You'll need a rope or an actual balance beam.  I have noticed some special need classes have these in their classrooms!

Again, just find a catchy tune and every student gets an opportunity to walk across the balance beam.

The Torch


Dress up a flash light and give the students a chance to carry the torch.  This could be a great way to transition from one activity to another.  If you use an activity board, students could carry the "torch" and activity slip and place it in the "all done" box.

These are a few, very simple ideas that you can adapt for your sessions.  Hope you enjoy!

God bless!

School what?

Ok, so I realize I have said this before, but the purpose of this blog is to share activities and my thoughts and feelings during my internship. This entry is a thoughts and feelings blog...

Most of you who know me and follow my blog via facebook know that for the past week I have been out of class due to hazardous weather conditions.  First, I would like to say thanks to God for the snow break!  It was fantastic, however, I did not accomplish anything!  At the same time, it was frustrating because the school system called of classes on a day-by-day basis.  That stunk big time!  I sat around all week long.  Finally, Friday's classes were canceled and I left GA far behind and went to see NC snow.

I am really not looking forward to tomorrow.  I feel that I will be short an activity, but at this point I'm clearly not that worried about it.   There is an art to pulling activities out of your butt.  I'm becoming quite the expert!  I always plan accordingly, however, you will have times when you have to think on your feet.  That's why it is good to have an ipod with lots of music handy!

I'm very tired, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  This internship soaks up my time.  When I have a free minute, I just want to sit and not think of anything, ever again!  But, that's why my relationship with my Savior isn't what it should be.  So, it's a little late, but my New Year's Resolution is to spend time with God, more time.  He shouldn't be taken for granted.  I love you God!

Waiting for Snow

One of the main reasons I adore working with Elementary aged kids is because of the themes the teachers use.  It is always so much fun for me to find music/activities that go along with their classroom activities.  The theme for the week was "WINTER" and appropriately so.

The song above is called "Waiting for Snow" by John McCutcheon.  (He actually has a set of Season recordings).  With this song, I asked my students to lie down on the floor.  I dimmed the lights and started the music.  Relaxation time!  I have a white canopy scarf/sheet and with the assistance of the teachers, we waved the scarf up and down over their bodies and faces.  Their smiles were priceless.  Some people feel that relaxation is not appropriate for such young kiddos, but when you see how they instantly snap in to being relaxed you find that is such a false statement.  Their breathing calms and they become almost trance-like.  However, some classes found it so stimulating.  That isn't always bad, but when they grab at the "snow blanket" it does present a problem.

For the next activity, all you need are cotton balls, parachute, and a recording of "Sleigh Ride" or "Let it Snow".  The students absolutely loved this activity.  It turned in to a snow ball fight, more or less.  It was so incredible.  Just seeing these kids laugh and have fun makes my day.   This activity was a great way to help the kids with impulse control.  They found that if they shook the parachute too hard and too fast the cotton balls flew out of the parachute.  That is why it turned in to a snow ball fight.  However, by the end of the activity the kids held it together and kept the cotton balls in the parachute!

What to do with the older kids?  I stuck with a winter theme and used white loufas (sp?).  We practiced keeping the beat to the song by passing the "snow ball" on the beat.  I used "Sleigh Ride" for this group as well.  By the end of the activity there were 3 "snowballs" going at the same time, focusing their attention.  

For an academic activity, I used the song "Let it Snow".  I wrote the sentences on long strips of poster board.  Each sentence was broken in half.  After we listened to the song, each student read their sentence strip.  The goal was for each student to find the missing half of their sentence.  This worked on reading but it really hits on the socialization domain as well.

Thank you Drake and Rihanna.  I'm sure you are now wondering what I'm talking about?  I used "What's your name?"  I sang "Hey nah nah What's your name" etc, etc as I kept the beat on a paddle drum.  After I finished the chorus, I demonstrated playing the rhythm (syllables) of my name.  We sang the chorus each time.  Every student had the opportunity to play their name rhythm and their peer's name rhythms as well.  =)

This week has been great taking over my classes.  My really bad bad student did an incredible job today.  I found that he needs positive feedback/ complimenting constantly.  I was so happy.  Music Therapy makes me happy.

New Year's Resolutions

I have 3 months left of my internship.  Approximately, not counting weekends or holidays, 61 days left of my internship.  Don't get me wrong, I love my internship.  I love these kids.  I'm so thankful for all that I have learned, but I am so ready to be finished.  My aunt Maria said to me the other day, "This is a big and exciting year for you."  I realized she was right.  I will be finishing this internship, becoming a certified music therapist, and Lord willing finding an incredible music therapy job.  I am proclaiming it, this is going to be a awesome year.

Classes start Wednesday.  Tomorrow is a workday.  I'm really not ready.  Wish me luck.

My New Year's Resolution is to keep up with my blog haha.