Posted on Posted in Educational Songs, Educational Videos

Scream and Shout

Music Therapy sensory break video & song for special needs individuals.
Goal: Client will take a sensory break in order to exhibit “ready to learn” behavior.
Domains: Sensory, Behavior

This project was a collaboration between myself and an extraordinary teacher at Special School District of St. Louis County. Her classroom of 7th and 8th grade students with autism benefitted from a variety of movement activities, sensory stimulation, and brain breaks throughout the day… yoga, brushing, lotion, tactile seat cushions, pressure vests, and (in this case) music.

Her request was for a sensory break song comparable to “Shake Your Sillies Out” but more literal. The teacher suggested an adaptation of “Scream & Shout” by will.i.am and Britney Spears as a more age-appropriate alternative. Another hope was that the song could describe the correct behaviors to exhibit at the end of the sensory break.

I made use of a common music therapy technique known as the iso principle – which basically means meeting a client musically where they are at and altering the music to lead them where they need to be.

The music starts out in a minor key, frantic, and loud

I wanna scream and shout and let it all out

Stand right up and jump around

And say oh we oh we oh we oh

And say oh we oh we oh we oh

and then calms down, transitioning to a major key, slower, and quieter.

I feel calm, relaxed, and better now

Take a breath and sit right down

And say la de dah la de dah

And say la de dah la de dah

I’ll keep my hands to self and quiet voice

Work real hard and earn a choice

And say la de dah la de dah

And say la de dah la de dah

This teacher made use of video modeling by recording her students exhibiting the behaviors described in the song and turned the song into a music video! For a more universal appeal (and to protect student privacy) these visuals have been replaced by lyrics and SymbolStix that transition from warm colors while screaming and shouting to cool colors during the calming conclusion.

The teacher had success using this song and her video, especially with the students able to request an opportunity to “Scream and Shout” from their PECS books. I hope you will find this to be a helpful resource in the classroom or home setting.

Download includes:

  • Scream and Shout (video) [mp4 video file]
  • Scream and Shout (instrumental) (video) [mp4 video file]
  • Scream and Shout [mp3 audio file]
  • Scream and Shout (instrumental) [mp3 audio file]
  • Printable Visuals
  • Lyrics [PDF]
  • Lyrics & Chords [PDF]

DOWNLOAD PAGE

Scream and Shout