11/12/2018
Topic:
Students with Disabilities
Robin McDonald
|
I have a student with little to no use of his left hand due to a stroke during infancy and his left foot/leg drag a little. He does have great use of the other (right) hand/arm. He is easily frustrated, but I do manage to usually "talk him down" to a calmer state so he will at least try. Drums are great for him, but he also likes to use other instruments as well. I hang triangles from music stands so he can play them when necessary, and shakers work great with one viable hand. For instrumental parts that usually require two mallets, I alter the part so that he can use one mallet. Having a caring, musically strong music buddy with him works great, too. For moving activities, some times he decides something may be too much/too tiring. In those cases, he gets to select an instrument to play a steady beat along with the music being used. |
12/3/2018
Topic:
Tools and Strategies
Robin McDonald
|
One of the teaching strategies I plan to incorporate is the Venn Diagram. It would be useful and helpful with all learners, but I can see that it would especially be helpful with students with learning disabilities in having a tangible, visual for comparing and contrasting.
Peer Partners would be another great tool/strategy. I have implemented at times, but I need to do a better job of making it a habit. I am thinking especially of a high functioning student of mine with Aspergers. He is highly excitable and a one on one peer would be of great assistance in helping/reminding of fingerings on the recorder. |
12/12/2018
Topic:
Assessment of Learning
Robin McDonald
|
An adaption I use for my students with ADD is assigning one of my more musically advanced students to assist and be a music peer. My kids jump at the opportunity to be a peer helper, a "mini-teacher" if you will. Peer helpers are most often better received by my ADD students , than with me hovering all of the time! Another adaption is with a student who has CP and has motor difficulties (i.e. writing) For notation, I offer her cards with notation examples written out. She lifts the one that matches the example. Kind of like a visual multiple choice quiz. |