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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.
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!
Harmonica Song
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Harmonica Song

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This is a song meant to educate young children about the harmonica. Laden with acoustic guitar and silly vocals, this tune is simple and catchy with a short solo on the instrument.
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. *I did not compose the music or the melody to this song, but merely used them as a guide to write my own lyrics to the already existing music and melody*.
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.
Music Makes Me (Song)
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Music Makes Me (Song)

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This is a fun, silly song sung a cappella style about the different things music makes you feel, do, or say. Have a lot of fun with this one--add in your own ideas, too!
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!
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.
Please and Thank You Song
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Please and Thank You Song

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This is a song written to teach children about the importance of saying, 'Please' and 'Thank You'. Attached to the .zip file is a live recorded version of the song as well as the lyrics with the chords used to play the song.
Red Light, Green Light
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Red Light, Green Light

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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.
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

(0)
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.
88 Keys (The Piano Song)
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88 Keys (The Piano Song)

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This is a song written about the piano, played on piano, with the intention of using as a teaching tool to those in elementary school for interest and education on the instrument.