Jason Mraz group handbell activity

This handbell activity is similar to one I posted over one year ago. I adapted this song for use in a class, which was large (18 people!). And I had to teach all of this nonverbally! so it can definitely be done. I even dare say it might be easier to teach without words than to try to explain this whole procedure...

Materials:
8-Note Rhythm Band handbells or deskbells
Lucky (for handbells).doc (adapted sheet music)
Lucky handbell colors.doc
iPod/speakers
"Lucky" by Jason Mraz ft. Colbie Callait mp3
Shakers or other small instruments (optional, see Adaptations)
4 paper plates/markers (optional, see Adaptations)

Procedure
1. Hand out bells, telling clients not to play until you instruct them.
2. Assign them the numbers that correspond with the document provided above (Lucky handbell colors.doc).
3. Have clients memorize the number(s) that go with their color. For example, the red bell (note C) must remember that he or she plays on numbers 1, 2, and 3. Meanwhile, the green bell needs only remember to play on 3. These numbers correspond with the chords of the song. So when all bells assigned the number 1 play, a beautiful C chord will ring.
4. Provide the sheet music, also found above (Lucky for handbells.doc). It is preferable to have a projector screen so that all clients may read off of the same page.
5. Begin music and, if necessary, conduct the piece by holding up finger-numbers or pointing to the numbers on the projector.

Adaptations:
1. If your group is larger than 8 people, consider adding shaker eggs (playing every eighth-note) or a wood block on the downbeats.
2. If your group is much larger (like mine was-18 people total), assign 4 people that are not playing bells to conduct the band. This is where the paper plates and markers come in. Each plate has a number, 1 through 4. The bells must watch the "conductors" for their cue: the conductor holds up their plate and the bells ring. You will probably need to teach your group how to give a good cue with large gestures and an intro breath.

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT if you have any questions at all.

Poker game for older adults

This music activity is a variation on poker that is probably best for groups of adults or geriatric patients. Of course, unlike the real game, there is no betting or cash prize at the end.

Materials needed for preparation:
Standard 52-card deck with the jokers removed
Permanent marker
Poster board
Velcro strips
Winning hands pdf

Prep-work:
1) On each playing card, write a song that is appropriate to your group of patients. It doesn't matter whether you prefer to write on the front or back of it, just don't write where the velcro strips are going to be attached.
2) Attach velcro strips to the center of the back of the card. When the card is stuck to the poster board, the number and suit of the card should face toward the patient. I prefer to attach the softer side of the velcro to the cards because the patients will be grabbing these and it is easier to the touch.
3) Draw a line down the center of the poster board and label the left side "Team A" and the right side "Team B."
4) Under each team side, attach five velcro pieces in a vertical line. Leave enough room for the height of a playing card between each strip. Remember that you are attaching whatever side of the velcro piece is OPPOSITE to that attached to the card. You should have 10 velcro pieces on your board altogether.
5) Attach the Winning Poker Hands pdf print-out to the back of the board as a reminder to you which hand wins. On the sheet, the possibilities are listed in rank order, with the highest hand (best combination) to the lowest hand (worst combination).

Materials needed in session:
Pre-made poster board
Pre-made playing cards
Bag/basket to place the cards in
Guitar
Sheet music, if necessary

Procedure:
1) Briefly explain the poker game. No need to get technical, just help them understand that each card a patient draws has a song printed on it that the whole group will sing.
2) Split the group into two teams. Decide which team goes first.
3) Offer a patient the bag full of cards. Instruct them to reach in and grab one without peeking.
4) Read the song printed on the card aloud. To increase cognitive functioning, have the patients guess the song or artist by offering clues.
5) Stick the song on the board under that team's name.
6) Sing the song printed on the card.
7) Next move to the second team. Repeat steps 3-6, alternating teams until all 10 velcro pieces on the board are filled.
8) Have a conversation about who won the game (refer to the Winning hands print-out). Discuss how the patients enjoyed the experience of playing this game.

This game is great for increasing cognitive functioning and social interaction. After each song, you might talk with the patients about past memories or song meanings.

Post-Friday Friday Five: Helpful tips, ideas, and resources

I made a few discoveries in this past week or two that were important in my music therapy-life. Of course, I want to share the things that helped me in hopes that they may help you!

P.S. This was intended as a Friday Five, but as it is in the music therapy world, we are constantly adapting to unexpected changes in plans.

1) Play Ball! music activity for geriatric clients. I was fortunate to come across this activity on Rachelle Norman's blog while looking for ideas for a session. I used it the next day and it went over beautifully!
2) Dry erase/wet erase white board trick. I found this genius songwriting tip on Michelle Erfurt's website. And if this trick wasn't brilliant enough already, Kat Fulton commented that smeared white board marker can be cured with nail polish remover.
3) Wikifonia lead sheets. Wikipedia, WikiHow, WikiAnswers, WikiBooks... now Wikifonia? Possibly the greatest Wiki ever created, this site provides sheet music for a long list of songs. In fact, this was the only place that I could find free chords for the Pennsylvania Polka. I don't know much about this site just yet, but I imagine some songs (like oldies) are easier to find than others. If you know more about Wikifonia, feel free to comment!
4) Online music games. To incorporate these in sessions, you'll have to be creative. But i believe there is a lot of potential for some of these games. Browse music games at sites like musicgames.us, PBS Kids, and Nickelodeon.
5) Preschool songs and activities. This site provides links to a number of ideas for development-related activities. Some examples include learning the days of the week, vowels, and creating a rain storm.

Hopefully you find these helpful! If anyone has more helpful tips and discoveries to add, I invite you to comment.

Again, self-concept...but now we have a plan!

Man, I suppose I've been doing a lot of posts on self-concept lately. It seems only natural because we've had some patients lately at the BHC that really need to address this.

I am posting a plan today that utilizes the Who I Am video posted yesterday. This is a plan that I prepared for the BHC for a 50 minute session. As you read it, it no doubt sounds a little silly. Rather than posting a task analysis like normal, I wrote down talking points for my own personal use. One thing I've really been working hard on at my internship is flowing smoothly between activities. No awkward jumps in conversation. Writing these talking points really helps me in this. In the left column you'll see what the activity is. Most of it is song discussion. There is also a worksheet (that I discuss below), a video discussion, and Who I Am sign making (a little bit of crafts).

There is a worksheet (which I do not have available on the computer) full of positive fill-in-the-blank statements. You can definitely make one of these yourself. Positive affirmation statements might be:
I'm really good at_____________________________.
I look by best when_____________________________.
My best personal trait is_____________________________.
My friends like me because I_____________________________.
The worksheet I used had 20-25 of these statements.

One more important thing... this plan was used for a group of girls. If you have boys in your session, rethink the songs used for song discussions and some of the talking points that I listed.