“What LESSONS can we Learn from LEMONS and a LEMON TREE?” The Senior Champions from programs at New Zion Baptist Church and Our Saviour Lutheran Church shared their “words of wisdom” during an engaging and energizing music therapy session. As summer is nearing an end and we are enjoying summer treats including lemonade, ice tea and ice water with lemon.
Our session began with a relaxing wellness and deep breathing exercise to instrumental music. We then “shook it up” with lemon music shakers emphasizing each senior champions name and inviting creative large gross motor movements and rhythm to fill the room with energy!
Then the “Lemon Tree Song” was introduced with a discussion on the lyrics of the lessons one can learn from the Lemon Tree (although the lovely lemon flower looks sweet, the lemon is impossible to eat). Each Senior Champion wrote and/or drew their “Words of Wisdom” on a sound shape drum. Responses included “pray everyday, to treat others as you want to be treated yourself, Don’t just stand there, do something, Be Happy, Don’t take anything that isn’t yours, keep your hands to yourself’ are just a few responses.
Then we held, raised, lowered, made waves and currents with extra large parachute … and found a beach ball to keep on the parachute or bounce in the air to lively summertime music including “Summertime Blues, Summertime, Summertime and Fun, Fun, Fun”!
We then transitioned into playing several summertime songs on Suzuki tone chimes including: “You Are My Sunshine, In the Good Old Summertime, and Daisy Daisy.” We closed the activity by singing several verses of each song.
Lastly, the Senior Champions relaxed with a deep breathing activity to an instrumental “Summer’s Child” song on the Piano and drank some ice cold Lemonade. Reflective comments included: “fantastic, energized, summery, marvelous, educational, creative, colorful, wonderful, Awesome, Joyful, thrilling and Happy!”
