Our Favorite TPT Resources!
Hey, everyone!
If you’ve been around here for a little while, you know that here at A Suite Sound, we LOVE to have a monthly theme to tie into all of our session planning.
We have found that Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) is a really great resource for finding pre-made on-theme activities and worksheets to incorporate into our planning.
This blog will highlight some of our favorites that we’ve used in sessions over the years, and also how we can use these types of resources in music therapy/music lessons.
We hope you enjoy!
Session Planning: Themes
First of all, to incorporate a theme into every part of session planning can at times be tricky if you stick to a rigid idea, but we do our best to keep it simple, structured, and cohesive. Every month, our session planning includes the following: Academic, Social/Emotional Learning (SEL), Speech, Finger Play, Book, Movement, Instrument, and something specifically for Piano Lessons. Some months align better with each of these focuses and the theme better than others, but for Academic, SEL, Piano Lesson, and sometimes Speech activities, TPT has been a treasure trove of information and ideas!
Academic:
TPT is a great place to find folder games for activities like sequencing (great for working on cognitive skills in music therapy), life skills (i.e. dressing for the weather, order of operations for completing a task), sorting by type/shape/size/etc., and other types of visuals to help aid in learning an academic concept. When paired with an on-theme song, or introduced by an on-theme song, we tie in music and our monthly concept while we work on our academic skill!
Social-Emotional Learning:
TPT folder games/visuals can also be really great for SEL. Social and emotional skills can be introduced with song and visual aids like emotions cards and social situations.
Speech:
There are lots of speech activities on TPT, and many can be paired with songs to work on certain speech sounds (if they are part of your client’s music therapy objectives). One example was when we used a “short A sounds” song to practice what the speech sound is like, and then we did an activity to choose short “A” circus-themed words from a visual aid from TPT (i.e. ‘act,’ ‘rat,’ ‘mat’).
Piano Lesson:
There are SO many music worksheets on TPT (thank you music educators)! Many of them follow a theme already, and are easy pre-made resources to grab for your piano lessons. The ones we’ve used the most typically focus on rhythms or composing and they are great for reinforcing concepts you’re already working on during your lessons (while also making them fun and engaging with a theme!).
Crystal’s favorites:
For Music LESSONS: Ukulele Scale Chart Posters by Music in Everything- these are offered in both black & white and color and are wonderful visual aids for learning ukulele chords!
Check it out here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ukulele-Scale-Chart-Posters-35-Ukulele-Scale-Cards-for-Ukulele-Lessons-6931094
For Music THERAPY: Social Skills Lessons for Empathy and Perspective-Taking - SEL Activities by Pathway 2 Success- this packet has tons of worksheets and examples for practicing social concepts like seeing others’ perspectives, reading facial expressions,
Check it out here:
Karina’s favorite:
Hot Chocolate Composing Activity - because it gives students free reign of composing rhythmic patterns while also connecting the rhythm to the words.
Check it out here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hot-Chocolate-Composing-Composition-Activities-for-Elementary-Music-10512647
Molly’s favorite:
Grocery Store Sorting - we did this one with a rendition of “Down by the Bay” to sing about stocking the shelves with various items; worked on both academic concepts and life skills- I loved that it included real pictures!
Lastly…check out Mrs. Molly’s TPT page!
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/molly-harrell
Check out the free resources listed and give her a follow so you can stay up to date - there’s sure to be more items listed in the near future!
