Songs for Special-Needs Kids

Subject: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: Peace
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 04:26 PM

I have a friend who needs songs that are medium to slow tempo that would be good for her to use with special needs (special ed) kids. She is looking for song suggestions so she can use them in her classes/with her students. Can people help her find such songs? "Music hath charms . . ." and that is the kind of songs she's looking for. Soothing songs that have pretty melodies. Whether the words are easy or complicated is no matter. Can't think of a better place than the Mudcat to make this request.

Thank you all very much.

Bruce Murdoch

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: breezy
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 05:30 PM

sing age related songs.

that was the advice I was given.

So I did and I felt comfortable and so were the kids.

But shorten them.



Audience participation, but expect a racket!!



Have fun.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: LilyFestre
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 05:37 PM

Do you people realize what a NICE man brucie is??? Uh huh, it's true!!!!   I PM'd him looking for some song thoughts and he went and made a nice post here!!!! Yep...brucie, YOU ROCK!

Ok...on to the music. I will be taking a course called Observation and Participation as well as student teaching children with special needs. I'd like to learn some new music to share with them but I have no idea of specific ages of the students (anywhere from 5 to 21). And actually, I'm interested in softer music, more relaxing kinds of things. Mudcat is a GREAT resource on so many levels, but since I have no titles to look up....I'm drawing a blank.

The idea of the music is to provide some background for different activities (reading mostly).

Thanks!

(((((((((((Brucie)))))))))))))

Michelle

Subject: Lyr Add: YOU WOULDN'T KNOW IT TO LOOK AT ME (Finn)
From: Barry Finn
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 06:13 PM

YOU WOULDN'T KNOW IT TO LOOK AT ME by Barry Finn
Tune: Australian, Trad. "One of the Has Beens")

"You're not listening to me; are you deaf in both ears?
Don't you see what you've caused? have you been blind all these years?
Could you just give an answer, so I know you're not dumb?
For Christ's sake, you bird brain, has a cat got your tongue?”

Chorus:
I'm as cute as any other kid; I can run, jump & shout.
You wouldn't know it to look at me; At times I can't work things out.
I'm not stupid; I'm not lazy; I try very hard.
With a little compassion, I could go pretty far.

Well, school is a torture; the teasing won't quit.
My thoughts go off track and my aide has a fit.
There are some things I excel in, so much that I'm bored.
You wouldn't know it to look at me; it takes all that I'm worth.

The kids scorn & laugh at me; I don't have a friend.
You can feel my heart break; I wonder when this will end.
The mistreatment & abuse I take, it's really a crime,
But I'm told to ignore it, though it happens all of the time.

Chorus:

I know it's hard on my family; I can't change a thing.
The aunts & uncles blame it on my folks & say it's poor upbringing.
The love & affection others get all the time,
I only hear people yell at me when I ask where is mine.

I never feel comfort, no shoulder, no hug.
A system to support me was pulled out like a rug.
If you can't understand this, you may be worse off than me,
But I won't hold it against you cause you're deaf & can't see.

Chorus:

I may be mildly autistic or just plain O.C.D.
I may twitch with Tourette's, or have A.D.D.
If you see me cross my eyes, instead of my T's
You wouldn't know it to look at me that I have special needs.

Chorus:

Copyright Barry Finn 1998

Hi Brucie. Good Luck with hunting them down. I remember quite awhile back there was a thread on this.

Barry

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: GUEST,Jennifer
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 06:50 PM

It's really difficult to suggest songs without a clearer idea of the intended use and users. If you are looking for background music, you can't go wrong with classical music. Instrumental music is less likely to intrude on the learning activity than will vocals. Age appropriate may be fine for listening but not for participating since, with most of your students, chronological age may not match developmental age. Also, I would definately avoid "pop" music because it would be a distractor. Most children's performers have slow songs--Raffi's Douglas Mountian--Tom Chapin's "I don't like to Say Goodbye", This Pretty Planet,etc.
I've used music with special needs children, (under 14) and had good results with songs they can move to, songs about animals, kid friendly music. By the way, small bean bag stuffed animals make great, safe rhythm instruments.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: Mr Happy
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 06:51 PM

when i worked in children[& adult services], i found the best sogs were those that included making some actions, using instruments, or those sogs that could be adapted to include personal names.

the victims [captive audience+ participants] enjoyed using rattles, tambourines, bodrhans,drums,shakey eggs,whistles,kazoos etc to join in.

example of a son adapted is '1/4masters stores'

you could sing 'there was jenny, jenny looking for a penny/going to spend a penny' or make up rhymes as you go along, the funnier the better.

another fave one i used to do was 'in & out the toilets[windows]'

also 'runaway train', 'coming round mtn'[with rude words]:'oh she's got a lovely bottom set of teeth...' etc.


i often would play keyboard after lunch 'lloyd george knew my father'

one of victims names was george lloyd, so he liked this one a lot.

the main thing is for victims to have good time,learn stuff[without it being obvious] & have experience of sharing with others.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: Azizi
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 10:56 PM

Ella Jenkins has a number of sing along CDs for children that you might be interested in using. Her songs teach while they entertain, and the songs are usually moderate tempo.

There actually are a number of creative children's CDs out there.
But I think it's a mistake to only expose children to so-called 'children's music' [such as Raffi-or Ella Jenkins for that matter]

When I'm making CDs for use with children [as background for arts & crafts, or as part of a movement exercise] I prefer to mix & match songs from different CDS and multiple genres. I also like to mix uptempo songs with songs with moderate tempos, and [least often for my purposes & tastes] songs with slow tempos.

I also think it's great to make compilation CDS for children that include music that comes from cultures that the children may not be familiar with. Although most children initially say that this music is 'different' or 'weird', the more they hear it the more they become used to it- and they might even end up humming or singing along!

Don't be afraid to experiment.

Have fun! Go for it! Good listening!

Ms. Azizi

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 11:29 PM

I agree...don't get locked into children's music. Classical music is great, especially composers like Beethoven, Tschaikowsky, Mahler, and Bartok, who use strong and beautiful melodies (I'm sure there are others). Also jazz: check out some of the early work by the Modern Jazz Quartet. And I'll also make a plug for Hawaiian slack key guitar.    You can find some excellent collections on George Winston's Dancing Cat label, and if you find someone you like and have a hard time finding a CD of that person's music, I know I can find it here.

Barry, that's a wonderful song. I don't think it's what Michelle was asking for here, but I'm sure she'll be able to use it in another context.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 11:46 PM

In case you missed or forgot this old thread; it's a classic.

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=9864&messages=80/

(I miss Night Owl and Musicman.)

I also remember Night Owl mentioning the calming effect Musicman's CD, Farewell, had on classes. Paul's website here.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: Peace
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 11:52 PM

Mary, thank you for the links. I looked but didn't find. There are so many great suggestions here. You people have fantastic hearts. Wow.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 11:53 PM

I just listened to "Ye Banks and Braes" at Paul's site. I think it's what you are looking for...certainly worth listening to even if you have to download some RealPlayer stuff. ;-)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: Kaleea
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 02:07 AM

My degree is in Music Special Ed. If this is for Classroom Music, most music textbooks have instructions for special needs students in the outlines of teaching plans for each lesson. I'm not sure why the songs must be slow-to what end? Kids, all kids, love all different kinds of Music. If the purpose is to teach Music, then we attempt to have the student take in information in as many ways as they are able, i.e., sing, listen, move, play, visually see Music--as they are capable. If the Music is for the purpose of moving with with Music, Folk Music can be terrific as it often has repetitive lyrics & melodies, and can be simple to understand.
   Much of the time, I would simply sing unaccompanied and let the students follow my lead. Beginning with hearing the song, then, adding more activities or ways to "take in" information about the Music. One could have the students listen to the song. Another time, move to the song. Then learn a phrase or more till they know the lyrics. Then act out the song. Then use visual aids to identify the melody moving up & down or moving by twos or threes. Then perhaps play an instrument during particular portion of the song. & so on.
    By doing Music activities in such a manner, one may accomplish learning some of all the Musical basics in a successful learning experience. The special needs student will literally increase their ability to learn.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 06:27 AM

Uh, well, I hate to say it, but I'm looking for slower songs simply because I can't play at breakneck speeds very well!!! :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: Azizi
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 08:35 AM

I loved the Les Crane album "Desiderata" since I first heard it in the 1970s. You may want to consider using the entire 'album' or selections from it with your groups.

Here is some information about Les Crane's recording from Songacts.com:

"Crane is a San Francisco TV talk show host and husband of Tina Louise, who played "Ginger" on Gilligan's Island. The Rolling Stones made their American television debut on The Les Crane Show on June 2, 1964.

"Desiderata" was a poem written in 1906 by Max Ehrmann, an Indiana lawyer. It was about the search for happiness in life. In the 1960s, the poem made its rounds around hippiedom as "anonymous" ancient wisdom - it was widely reprinted because most people assumed it was in the public domain. Crane read the poem on a street poster (which stated the words "Found in Old Saint Paul's Church, Baltimore, dated 1692") and decided to record it.

The musical background was by Fred Werner, who found the poster in a Los Angeles store.

This won the Grammy for Best Spoken Word Recording in 1971.
The first recording of the poem was by the UK group Every Which Way in 1970 as "Child of the Universe". "

end of quote.

From another website on this inspirational poem, I learned that Desiderata is Latin and means 'things that are yearned for', which in the context of the poem more closely means 'essential things'...

And now, my attempt to hyperlink to the words of the poem:

click here


Ms. Azizi

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 09:25 AM

ahhh...

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.


(I memorized it without the word "may")

(nice clickie, Ms. Azizi.)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: Azizi
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 10:07 AM

Thanks, Mary..

A couple of days ago a Guest in the BS thread 'And It's 1,2,3 What Are They Votin' For?' responded to Brucie's request for directions on hyperlinking.

Since Brucie followed these directions and is showing off his expertise [smile] I decided that maybe I should try too.

And-Glory Be!-it actually worked!!

So I've joined the ranks
of the Mudcat Clicky Crew
except my clicky is red
instead of blue

[I don't know what that's suppose to mean..I'm sure it has nothing to do with politics..]

Here's the directions in case anyone else needs them:


1.Find a page you want to link to.

2.Right click on it and select properties.

3.That shows you the URL ( address)

4.Highlight the URL

5.Right click and select COPY

6.On the bit under the bit where you post your message to a thread, find the make clicky bit, press it.

7. In the space next to URL (top one) put your cursor and right click.

8. Select PASTE.

9. That puts the URL you chose in that gap.

10. Test that that does go to the page you want.

11. It then tells you on the page to copy and paste that into your thread.

12. Again just right click on it to copy it, and in the message part right click again to paste.

[end of directions]

Best wishes!

Ms. Azizi

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: open mike
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 02:59 PM

so you are looking for background music for the calss to sliten to while reading? that is different than music for them to participate in..
but i like to do Apples adn Bananas and starte each verse with a vowel
while "doing" the sign language for the vowel....this song was in a
recent thread.
one of the best songs about being in school is John McCutcheon's
Kindergarten song...
of all you learn here remember this the best.
don't hurt each other and clean up your mess,
take a nap evdry day, wash before you eat,
hold hands, stick together , look before you cross the street
and remember the seed in teh little paper cup
the root grows down and the plant goes up

just about says it all!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: squeezeldy
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 03:23 PM

The ABC song using the manual alphabet song.
Fingerplay songs for non-verbal kids
BING0

Find a recording or print copy of some songs from "Greg and Steve." "The World is a Rainbow," Days of the Week, Months of the Year, (these are also sung in Spanish on the recordings)

Mi Chacra (My Farm) in English, Spanish and sign. I teach my Adaptive Music classes in three languages. That impresses my "regular ed" kids no end.

Add-on songs--"The Tree in the Woods" and so forth

Don't forget "Hokey Pokey" and other movement songs.

These are all so easy that I play them by ear, but there are tons of books available with such things in them. I do recommend the Greg and Steve songs, though.

Anything that you like to play and sing, your kids will, too.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: GUEST,brucie
Date: 02 Feb 05 - 12:19 PM

Thanks to all of you who posted to this thread. Much appreciated.

BM

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: GUEST,Azizi
Date: 02 Feb 05 - 12:34 PM

Introducing children to music is a gift that lasts a liftime.

Bruce, thank you for helping your friend.

And LilyFestre, please let us know how your session turn out.

Ms. Azizi

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: Peace
Date: 03 Feb 05 - 12:15 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs for Sp Needs Kids
From: GUEST,AnneMC
Date: 03 Feb 05 - 01:39 PM

Mississippi John Hurt's song "Chicken".
It is also on "Avalon Blues" the tribute to Mississippi John Hurt, where children are contributing to the singing.

CHICKEN

Chicken, chicken
You can't roost too high for me
Chicken, chicken
Come on out of that tree
Chicken, chicken, chicken
You can't roost too high for me

C        is the way to begin
H        the next letter in
I        am the third
C        For two C's in the bird
K        is to fill him in
E        I'm near the end                        
C-H-I-C-K-E-N
That's the way to spell chicken


C        is the way to begin
H        the next letter in
I        am the third
C        For two C's in the bird
K        is to fill him in
E        I'm near the end
C-H-I-C-K-E-N
That's the way to spell chicken