7/16/2023
Topic:
Students with Disabilities
Ester Jackson
|
Throughout my teaching career, I have encountered students with a variety of disabilities. I have never seen it as a burden because as I learn new strategies, supports, etc., it has actually made me a better teacher for all of my students. One of my chorus students has a severe vision impairment. Her IEP already provided that she has a large screen computer to use in her academic classes. However, for sheet music, I would make large print copies for her. Because the large print copies were not always "perfect", I discovered that some publishers actually offered Large Print copies of the octavos. This was huge because those large print copies benefited me as well. In addition, together, we would create rehearsal recordings to assist with learning the music. I also communicated with this student to determine other accommodations that would be helpful. She informed me that using a black dry erase marker on the board was much better for her because she could discriminate much easier. We also worked together with her aural training. Over the years, her confidence grew and she actually became the Chorus President. |
7/16/2023
Topic:
Tools and Strategies
Ester Jackson
|
In my guitar class, I use Mnemonic Instruction for students with disabilities in various ways. For example, when learning the letter names of the open strings (string 6 to string 1), we have used "Eddie Ate Donuts, Good Boy Eddie." The first letter of each word, is the pitch name of the string. Another strategy that I often use small group instruction and peer partners. The peer partner can assist with rhythms, melody, etc. Also, in small group, I will preview a lesson with students with disabilities to give more time. |
7/16/2023
Topic:
Assessment of Learning
Ester Jackson
|
In guitar, most of my assessments are performance based. For many of my students with disabilities, they are able to play the song or excerpt, but the tempo is a lot slower. In my school district, we use a platform called Schoology that allows students to upload written and video assignments. So, I will have students upload a recording of themselves playing a particular passage at the tempo that is successful. I can then give specific feedback to individual students. |