7/6/2018
Topic:
Students with Disabilities
LORRI
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In addition to our regular weekly music classes, we wanted to prepare our ESE students for a presentation during parent's day. Our classes are grouped by age and grade level, not functionality, so there were a variety of abilities including students with autism, language and speech impairment, traumatic brain injury and intellectual disability. Successful performance opportunities are very important for all students, After reviewing appropriate songs with the classroom teacher, we selected with the children's approval, the Hokey Pokey, since they sang it in their classroom, it was very familiar and they loved it. However, none of the children were able to consistently identify left from right which was a long-term goal we were working toward. We came up with the idea to use color, which all student knew, instead of the traditional "right hand, left foot" etc. each body part moved was assigned a different color. We practiced the song during music classes while I played the guitar and sang or used a rock karaoke version that everyone loved. The students were all successful with the rewritten lyrics and concept. A scheduling road-block came up and I was unable to be present for the performance. None of the teachers felt comfortable singing. So, during my after school program music enrichment time, I taught students the song. Many were already "puzzle friends" and knew the students well from their Friday afternoon activities, where they read, play games and socialized with ESE classes. We recorded the song with the revised lyrics. Not only were the ESE students successful, but the collaboration was meaningful and created a since of pride and care for all of us. |