So again, the main focus of this was to share how to go about creating interventions and not so much about the intervention. The beauty of this field is that we are all incredibly creative people and YOU can come up with something that nobody else would have ever thought of! (By the way, if you are liking this material, don’t miss out and sign up for our newsletter!)

Here is that process breakdown again:

  1. Find the words! Go to the library, borrow a songbook, or my favorite, head over to a thrift store!
  2. Brainstorm a VERY simple accompaniment. Pick 2-3 chords, start playing, and say your words over the chords. Then go with the melody line that your voice is naturally moving towards. Remember, keep it simple, this is just to get your moving in a direction.
  3. Find some elements of the poem/song that stick out to you.
    • What words reflect movement?
    • What words reflect sound?
    • What lines reflect movement as a whole?
    • What is the emotion? Does it change?
    • What words reflect academic concepts (animals, numbers, colors, etc.)
  4. Get some good old Post-It’s and jot down the ideas that come to you after Step 3. Jot down particular clients that this might resonate with.
    • Can this target a particular physical skill?
    • Can this target a speech skill?
    • Can this reflect and target emotional awareness?
    • Can this target relaxation?
    • Can this target songwriting for emotional expression?
    • Can this target social skills in a group setting?
  5. Go back to your music and adjust it based on your favorite elements from step number 3 and 4. Change your strumming, your dynamics, your accents. Add in some color chords to get attention.
  6. Try it out, and then adjust again!
    • All interventions can be works in progress! Don’t be afraid and I encourage you to adjust, add tiers, or completely re-built to target goals as you see fit. Assess how it went and go with your gut!

Here are some other ideas that this particular poem made me think of:

  • There is a lot of alliteration in this particular poem
    • Possible for speech goals
    • Possible for super silliness (how crazy would we all look holding our teeth on our lower lip to exaggerate the “F” sound?!?)
  • Metaphor
    • I love how the author uses “albino bees” to elicit a visual image of snow! What might your kiddos have to say about that? Can they think of anything like snow to use as a metaphor?
      • This would be a great songwriting opportunity!

Where are you going to find some words/poems/songs to use? Do you have a favorite place? Let me know if you do!

Again, if this has been helpful for you, I hope you sign up for our newsletter! You’ll get creative ideas, resources, and extra downloads sent directly to your e-mail!

 

Kate

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