6/21/2018
Topic:
Students with Disabilities
Ray D
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I had a student, Micheal, with autism in my 5th grade general music class. Even though the class "process" was to come into class and to your spot silently, he would always come in spouting on about wild ideas and all sort of things he wanted to share. So we came up with a solution: If Michael followed the procedures throughout class, the last 5 minutes of each class he would be allowed to take over and teach the class or share whatever ideas he had.
Let me tell you...you think his peers wouldn't like such a thing or find it silly? No way! They absolutely LOVED listening to him and his ideas. One day he told us all about a theme park he had invented. But it didn't stop there. He drew up a detailed map of the park on the board (including things like food and restrooms) and gave detailed descriptions of all the rides and attractions. His brain was operating on a completely other level, that I am so glad I just didn't dismiss him and gave him the opportunity to show me, and the class, what a true genius he actually was.
I don't know if I taught Michael much about music, but he sure as heck taught me. |