music, therapy, and me

 Here you go! A demonstration of my new TMEs by the Numbers file in my TPT store! Available for free!!

So, here is the deal. I have come up with a system to boost my creativity when it comes to writing therapeutic music experiences (TMEs). Of course, I can't upload the video file that I just put together to get you to see what I'm talking about, so this entire post is just a practice in futility. Ugh. Anyway, my dice have dictated that I write a chant that focuses on motor skill development, in an AB form, using Orff/Keyboard instruments, for the month of November, and working additionally on oral motor and speech skills. I also rolled that I should do things in the key of F, but that has nothing to do with a chant, so that dice result is moot! (Thank goodness!) Gak! While this has been a good way to help spur my creativity when it comes to writing TMEs, this is not the best time to be engaging in this practice. I will work on it a bit more this afternoon after my five sessions are finished. I tweaked my finger (the one that's been broken twice by clients) yesterday. I will ...

Usually, I do a Make It thing on Mondays, but I didn't make much this weekend, so there really isn't much to report on. I cut out some gift tag materials and straightened up the floor in the office/craft area but that was all. I did lots of online shopping and have some logistical shipping problems to solve, but that's okay. I like challenges.  So, all that to state that I am not going to share something that I have made this week. I am just going to talk about getting ready for our next break. It is only twelve days away. Twelve angst-ridden, scream-filled, disappointment brewing, stressful days. The biggest problem that we as the faculty of the school have is that our Behavioral Health Technicians (BHTs) do not get a break and have to face two weeks of non-school programming without us including two major holidays. It makes it awkward to feel happy about getting some time off. Guilt over. Time to move into some gratitude. I am grateful that I can navigate this time of yea...

'Tis the season when I am inundated by the sounds of the holiday season - everywhere you go... I am going out into the world of retail later this morning to see if I can find some things for my Mom's holiday and birthday. While I am out, I am sure that I will be hearing versions of holiday music while strolling up and down the aisles of my local stores. I tend to avoid stores during this season, mainly because I am not a fan of crowds, but also because the sounds get to be overwhelming. I get tired of the entire holiday hoopla, but it is better now that I am not stressing about extra church services and many programs. I have to get some things for my Mom's stocking, so I have to head outside of my home for the express purpose of shopping. Thankfully, there is drive-up service as well as online ordering, so I can keep most of my shopping where I want it - away from the constant musical bombardment of holiday music! That being said, my favorite song of the season is a hymn ca...

Okay. It is crunch time now. Fifteen days between us and winter break. Let me tell you, folks, working with children this time of year is not for the faint-hearted! There is just not enough time, energy, or words to explain what happens in schools between Thanksgiving and winter holidays. If you have never worked in a school during this time, then kindly just nod your head in sympathy when a school teacher or therapist expresses their levels of exhaustion and/or overwhelm. My week started with a horrible day - all of my clients were disgruntled and snarly. The week has progressed into more kind conversations and emotional expressions, but the noise level in the class next door is very loud - which is very unusual! We are having constant shifts in classroom composition both with students and with staff members, and we no longer communicate these changes with all school staff members. I have not had the expected staff members in most of my sessions this week. That changes how I do things...

I am not looking forward to work today. On Monday, the groups that I see twice a week were just plain old mean and nasty to each other and to me. I hope that they will be a bit nicer to each other today, but I am not anticipating that things will change significantly. Once I get back here from work, I will have a meeting with a couple of people to start planning for a new symposium. It will be a late night, but it should be a productive one! Is it only Wednesday? Seventeen days left before break. I hope that I can do it without taking time out, but who knows. To add to my list of stressors, I have required that I eat things from my home rather than getting food from other sources this month. It has become way too easy to justify getting food delivered while I am still shopping for food to put in my pantry. So, I am making myself heat things up. Yesterday's dinner was a taco salad - quick, easy, and no extra money spent on food. It also means spending some time meal prepping on the ...