As I write this today, the Minnesota Vikings are currently 6-0! Skol!
The Minnesota Golden Gophers currently possess three rivalry trophies at the same time!!! This has not happened since 1978! Row the Boat!!
It may be a good time to reflect on Minnesota and our connections to where we live, as well as celebrate several renowned Minnesotans who have contributed to our society.
For use with: Clients of all ages and abilities. Groups or 1:1 clients.
Use adaptation and knowledge of your population as to which famous Minnesotans would be most appropriate for your clients.
Goals:
To increase opportunity for cognitive engagement/enhancement
To engage clients in reminiscence
To provide self autonomy with lyric discussion questions/songwriting, instrument play
Begin session with MN Rouser to set theme of session.
Mention current Minnesota news regarding sports, the election, brief MN trivia etc. relevant to present time. Keep it positive, or reflective on the needs of the client(s.)
Ask client(s) where they were born.
Make a quick adaptation to MN Rouser song about where your client(s) were born, suggesting that we will use the MN Rouser tune since we live in MN. Adapt to states, different countries where clients were born.
For example:
Jo-anne was born in St. Paul,
Greg was born in Minnetonka,
Sam was born in Thief River Falls
Rah, Rah, Rah for Minnesota, Rah, Rah, Rah, Rah Rah for our place of birth.
Being on the Minnesota sports theme, you may want to include, “Skol Vikings,” into your plan. This song is great for instrument play and singing. You may want to add the drumming chant of, “Skol, Skol, Skol,” which gradually increases in tempo and volume. This chant provides opportunity for group cohesion, self expression, fun, and the freedom to Yell !!
Introduce the topic of Famous Minnesotans.
Present in any order you feel appropriate:
Charles Schulz:
Play name that tune with Linus and Lucy song.
Give hints, that you would see this in Sunday paper/Show pictures of Peanuts gang
Tell the story of cartoon character- black American, Franklin. Charles Schulz took heat from including Franklin in his cartoon script. Schulz told his editor, “You print it the way I draw it, or I quit.” Also, Charles Schulz made the decision to quote scripture in his Christmas episode saying, “If we don’t do it, who will?”
Encourage parachute movement to, “Skating,” Vince Guaraldi
Judy Garland
Share that this famous Minnesotan is from Grand Rapids, MN
Play the 1st two notes of, “Somewhere over the Rainbow,” sharing that this was the most popular piece of music from the 20th century - Encourage clients to guess this song/performer/movie (Wizard of Oz)
Encourage clients to sing to this song (with mic if you wish), or have clients quietly listen to recording by Judy Garland
Prince
For Prince, I play the recording of only the first chord of “Purple Rain,” to have clients identify song/performer
For further hints of recognition I will recognize the persons wearing the famous color related to this performer. I will talk about the night club he made famous, and that he played 27 different instruments etc.
Play “1999”, encouraging drumming/instrument play- of course with a group or individual you feel would enjoy this.
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Play the music of TV show, “Little House on the Prairie."
After the clients identify the show, talk about the author, and how she lived in Walnut Grove, MN, born in Pepin, WI.
Show YouTube video of the opening intro of the show. Several of my clients appear heartwarmed to see this.
Bob Dylan
Introduce this MN musician as being from Hibbing, known as The Iron Range.
Songs good for lyric discussion, “Blowin in the Wind,” and “The times they are a Changin.”
If with an appropriate aged group, finish this talk of Bob Dylan with a song about, “the range.” with the song, “Home on the Range.”
Thank you for your time, and for your Purple Pride!!
