Sprouting Melodies 3

Sprouting Melodies 3 is very ACTIVE, intentional, creative, emotional, and accepting.

My plan would follow the demonstration provided here, beginning with “Sit Down with Me” to start the session, then going into a bonding song such as, “Swimming Together” and “My Brand New Friend” – I like the idea of providing scarves or a hoop so support children in making connections with other children. For songs about me, I would use the change “Where is the Music”, and then incorporate a book, such as, “From Head to Toe”. For instrument songs I would explore “Music is the Way” while providing the pentatonic scale with the resonator bells- I love the atmosphere that that creates. For some movement I would use, “Will you Come” as I played the drum for a steady beat. Then I would sing goodbye and use a transition song to support children and families to go to their next activity- “Time to Go”.

Five words to describe Sprouting Melodies 3: energetic, dynamic, emerging independence, creative

Plan: I would begin with a gathering song to bring everyone together. I use a song that I wrote “it’s Time For Music” that has a strong meter and tapping on the legs. I would then sing hello to each child in the group. Moving into the bonding songs, I would use “Swimming Together” for the child and parent to have the experience together of a lap ride. I really like to use the song “Brand New Friend” and it could be used as either a bonding song or a movement song. It could be varied by reflecting how the children are moving, perhaps singing “dancing all around with my brand new friend,” or “holding hands with my brand new friend.” For songs about me I would use “I Know Just How It Goes” that is in Elizabeth’s book, it not only addresses self, but action as well. Instrument songs may include “All Night! All Day” singing about whatever instrument the child may be playing, or gathering around the large gathering drum to play together. A movement song that I like to use called “Clap Your Hands” incorporates different movements. I would also use a prop of some type for a movement song, either scarves, a large canopy scarf, or theraband. Then transition into t a goodbye song “Time To Go.”

Five words: interactive, dynamic, empowering, adaptive, energetic

Plan:

1. Begin with “sit down with me” (I have just starting using this song with my special needs kindergarten and preschool groups, and they love it)
2. Hello song- sing name of each child
3. My brand new friend
4. Where is the music- I like the idea of drawing parents in through chant
5. You play a little
6. Read story
7. Will you come
8. Music is the way
9. Goodbye- I have a cute goodbye song that has the kids echo me on voice and movement, and uses animal movements

I had the cutest sprouting melodies 3 class every last summer. Three little girls that were so diverse by nationality. They had such individual personalities, it was a small, but wonderfully fun class.

5 words? Energetic, exciting, engaging, social, and personality. When I say personality, I mean you start to see these kids really blossom in the social department. These big personalities begin to pop out and you start to see more and more of these tiny people.. they’re not little babies anymore, they’re movin’ groovin’ little people!

1. A gathering song to begin; I like “Let’s make some music” or a fun one I’ve been using lately of my own adaptation to a song from putumayo’s “Bowl of Cherries” (Hey Now, Let’s make some music, Hey NoOW – Let’s make some more!) Spread the instruments out and let them explore and come into the group.
2. Hello Song
3. Instrument song with maracas or the rhythm sticks! (I’ve been playing with fun songs like Twist and Shout and Tutti Frutti but instead, they’re Twist and Shake and other simple adapted lyrics. Really fun!) Otherwise you could go with “Sit with me and Shake,” “We’re Playin in a Band,” or any more upbeat, energetic instrument song they haven’t been exposed to from the earlier SM classes they may have taken. They need repetition, but also newer material as they’re getting older now to maintain attention and engagement.
4. Marching! (This train, Can you Follow, etc) Since they’re bigger now, many of them will enjoy marching on their own with some maracas. Some will still want to be held, but many of them will really enjoy their new found independence to march, run, and jump on their own!
5. Time to coooool down. I like to use the stuffed animals with this group, as long as I have enough of them. It’s so sweet for them to sit down with mom/dad and “take care of” one of the animals while we sing “Let’s Sing a Song about a Cow” When I use the canopy, I’ve noticed it can go either way with the energy level at this age – some may stand under it and look up as the canopy falls on their head and some may go running underneath in full sprint mode. I love to ask the runners if they’d like to help hold the canopy and they usually love it, plus it’s more grounding for them to put that energy into.
6. Goodbye song. At this age, 90% of the time I found myself covered in toddlers helping me strum the guitar and say goodbye to everyone. Love it!

5 words- social, engaging,creative, accepting, and fun

Plan over view
Gathering song: sing hello everybody and sing child’s names changing up clapping, tapping and other body movements to “wave” hello. Bonding songs–Swimming together Songs about Me: Where is the Music and then move into instrument song- I like this song and then I can move around to Movement Song–a song with scarves called Autumn leaves and then The Leaves are Falling Thanks everyone for sharing in music and sing Good bye with child’s names

5 words: Inter-play, creativity, busy, moving, gaining independence

5 words: energetic, dynamic, challenging, silly, and exploring

For Sprouting Melodies 3, I would start with an upbeat welcome song and possibly some dancing improvisation or scarf movements to go along with the song and focus everyone’s attention. My goal would be to hae everyone loosen up and start focusing on the music group without becoming chaotic. “Sit Down with Me” is a great transition into bonding songs that keeps the energy level high. I would use two bonding songs with this group, starting with “Hold on Tight” to foster parent/child bonding and then “My Brand New Friend” to encourage independence and socialization. The rhythmic chanting of “Where is the Music” would help refocus the children after jumping around with their friends, and “I Like This Song” would keep the environment relaxed and free for instrument exploration and expression. After this relaxed, unstructured break, I would move into “Will You Come?” to reemphazise group socialization and then finish with a calming goodbye song.

As I’m not doing music therapy at the present time and haven’t work with the age group in many years, I’m finding it a bit harder to artificially create lesson plans each week. I especially liked Alyssa’s plan. I felt like it would flow easily through quiet, “wild”, independence and sharing/bonding times and I totally agree with her reasons for choosing the songs/chants for a SM3 group.

I just ordered your songbook Beth, and I am really looking forward to expanding my repertoire for the 0-3 age group with the Sprouting Melodies framework in mind.

Words: wishy washy, independent, emotional, active, strong

Plan:
“Good Morning, Good Morning” to welcome
Gather song: Using actions, clap hands, stomp feet, “Clap your hands, come on clap your hands. It’s time for music”
Hello song: At the gathering drum or individually on the guitar, sing greeting song to each child….adapt as needed based on class size.
Bonding song: I really enjoy “my Brand New Friend” and see this as an adaptable song. Begin by using hula hoop or scarf in the begininng, with a goal to possibly hold hands by the end of the class session
Bonding song with more option to be with caretaker. I would like to learn “swimming together”
Songs About Me: Where is the music and “Just like me”
Instrument Songs: I imagine these songs to be the favorites. “You play a little” is great! I especially like the options of sharing, passing and such.
Movement Songs: I like Laurie Berkner’s song “Swim in my soup”. We pick out different actions of running, jumping, walking, swimming. Lots of giggles and crazies!
Good bye: “See ya later alligator” and the “Thank you song” I love the thank you song!