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Jim Gaven

I am a singer/songwriter/publisher/author/creative type who creates songs and activities/games as well as curriculums for young children as well as adults with special needs.

I am a singer/songwriter/publisher/author/creative type who creates songs and activities/games as well as curriculums for young children as well as adults with special needs.
Shake it Up (Egg Shaker Song)
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Shake it Up (Egg Shaker Song)

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This is a song that goes into detail about the percussion instrument, the egg shaker. Fun for the class to get into rhythm (in sync together) and keep the beat with directions in the song to follow along.
Hello Hello Song
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Hello Hello Song

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This is a song about saying, 'Hello' to your students as they enter the room or can be used as a first activity when everyone has already entered the room. I wrote it on the ukulele, but you can most certainly use a guitar or piano to convey the same message. I find this teaching tool to be very useful for pre-K and Kintergarden age children as well as 1st and even 2nd grade. What a fun way to start the class by welcoming everyone and putting them in a good mood!
Musical Bingo
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Musical Bingo

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Self-explantory game that I created while at my place of employment over the past 2 years. It is a form of Bingo, just using Musical Instruments instead of numbers. For instance, the top line of the game spells M-U-S-I-C instead of B-I-N-G-O. I thought why not make a fun game where students put a sound of an instrument to its picture. Not only is it fun to hear singled out instruments, but it's also educational in the fact we learn about new instruments and a little background/details/description on each instrument. In a world where we are so used to hearing several instruments at once in songs on the radio, on TV, etc., what's being lost is what instrument sounds like on its own and why it sounds the way it does.
Songs About Instruments
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Songs About Instruments

5 Resources
This is a collection of songs about various instruments. From the piano to guitar to maraca's to ukulele's to egg shakers, you can have fun while learning about 5 different instruments.
Songs about Manners
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Songs about Manners

7 Resources
Here is a collection of songs about manners to teach your students/children. From sneezing to giving handshakes/high-fives to saying hello, goodbye, saying I Love You, Please and Thank You, as well as appropriate social skills, this bundle has a lot to offer.
Silly Willy Song
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Silly Willy Song

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This is a song written with the intention of acting out the second half of every line. Think of it as a modern day Hokey Pokey of sorts. Have fun playing around with the ukulele, piano, or guitar as a lead instrument, and see your students have a grand ol' time!
The Thanksgiving Song
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The Thanksgiving Song

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Here is a song I wrote this past Thanksgiving capturing the feelings one might have like being thankful for your family, friends, health, having a roof over you head, and food to eat. I figured since there aren't many songs out there about Thanksgiving, I would write one to commemorate this very important holiday.
Playing the Guitar (Song)
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Playing the Guitar (Song)

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This is a song about the acoustic guitar and the main characteristics of the instrument. It is designed to be a teaching tool about the instrument, as well as allow children to have fun while listening and learning to sing lead and harmony at the same time.
The Goodbye Song
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The Goodbye Song

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This is a song about saying, 'Goodbye' to your students as the class is coming to an end and everyone is gathering their belongings to move onto the next class or go home for the day. I wrote it on the ukulele, but you can most certainly use a guitar or piano to convey the same message. I find this teaching tool to be very useful for pre-K and Kintergarden age children as well as 1st and even 2nd grade. What a fun way to send everyone into the halls or the world by putting them in a great mood!
Social Skills Song
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Social Skills Song

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This is a set of 6 songs (5 with a color associated with the tier of social skills, and 1 with all 5 colors combined into one) which lead us through the 6 Levels of Social Skills. Lyric and chord sheets along with the mp3's of all 6 songs are included in this zip file. Great for teaching kids about who is most important in their life, and putting everyone in their appropriate category.
Acoustify Your Mind (Headphones Listening for Attention)
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Acoustify Your Mind (Headphones Listening for Attention)

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This is an instrumental music recording done by Jim Gaven to make students more aware of their surroundings as well as increase brain function and relax your body. In addition to that, the recordings will most certainly increase awareness of your surroundings. You'll notice in the word document attached how long each section of the recording goes for as it is divided into 3 parts: A warm-up, main activity/exercise, and a cool down. Students will be taken on a musical journey that travels up and down, left to right, and in a circular motion through headphones. Have a listen for yourself and see what it's all about.
The Thanksgiving Song
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The Thanksgiving Song

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Here is a song I wrote this past Thanksgiving capturing the feelings one might have like being thankful for your family, friends, health, having a roof over you head, and food to eat. I figured since there aren't many songs out there about Thanksgiving, I would write one to commemorate this very important holiday.
The Maraca Song
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The Maraca Song

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This is my take on the famous song, 'La Cucaracha', with original lyrics by Jim Gaven, and original music from the Traditional Mexican Revolution era. The twist is that I use the melody of the song to put my own twist on playing the percussion instrument, maraca. This makes for a fun time had by all in class to not only learn about the maraca, but play along with the beat.
Uka Ukulele
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Uka Ukulele

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'Uka Ukulele’ is a song used to describe the instrument as well as give a little background on the instrument. It is played on the ukulele and helps children learn how to spell the words 'Hawaii' and 'Ukulele' as well. The zipped file includes a rough live recording of the song (mp3 format) along with the lyrics and chords used to perform the song.
Going Slow to Fast (Song)
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Going Slow to Fast (Song)

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This is a song which teaches tempo/rhythm by first starting slowly, and continually building up the speed in 4 different sections until the tempo reaches a crescendo, at which time, playing stops. I've used it where I encourage students to play along with a percussion instrument, sing-a-long to the various tempo changes, as well as practice stomping on the ground/running in place.
Open and Close Song
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Open and Close Song

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This is a song about opening and closing various 'things' in life. The song is designed to be a learning tool for early childhood education to reinforce the idea of opening and closing, as well as being 'open' to change in life as that's the best way to live!
Percussion Song
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Percussion Song

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This is a song detailing several percussion instruments in one to talk about how they help us keep rhythm with one another. Sung and played at the same time by using a ukulele and bass drum, what a great way to do something fun and educational for your child/children/students!
The Bass The Bass (Bass Guitar Song)
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The Bass The Bass (Bass Guitar Song)

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This is a song designed to teach about the bass guitar--terminology used for playing the bass, how many strings the instrument has, and how the instrument sounds. Perfect for teaching a young student or child about an instrument that gets overlooked sometimes.
Playing the Kazoo Song
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Playing the Kazoo Song

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This is a fun almost a cappella song about the kazoo. Of course, there are kazoo solo parts to have fun with and sing along with your students. Enjoy being silly with this small and simple instrument.
Red Light Green Light Song
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Red Light Green Light Song

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This is an educational song for young children to sing about the importance of red lights and green lights when you're out on the road with mommy and daddy. The song also talks about the importance of looking both ways before crossing the street.