3/27/2019
Topic:
Students with Disabilities
Celia Sperotto
|
I currently have a student with autism. While he is very bright and is playing the viola very well, he's been having issues in all of his classes with the social aspects of school (raising your hand if you have a question, making friends, appropriate topics to talk about in front of the class, etc...) and dealing with impulsive tendencies. Whenever he does raise his hand, I always make it a point to say, "Thank you for raising your hand" for a positive reinforcement. I also ask, "Do you have a question about what were talking about", and if the answer is no, then I allow him to talk to me about it after class (sometimes it's about a video game, so I always have to check...). If I see him doing something that other students do not like, sometimes I'll pull him aside and talk to him about it so he understand why other students are reacting the way they do. I think this has made him viewed as a valuable member of our orchestra over time, and he feels as if he's part of a team. |
3/27/2019
Topic:
Tools and Strategies
Celia Sperotto
|
My school uses Google Classroom, and it something that I use often in my orchestra classroom. I have several students with various disabilities in my beginning orchestras. An assignment that periodically do throughout the year is assign a number in EssentialElements for strings that the students need to film themselves playing and submit it as an assignment (all of the students at my school are assigned iPads, so this can be done during class). When I view the video, I'm able to make constructive comments on how the student can do better (if needed) as well as provide positive reinforcement. The student can then redo it and ask questions online without feeling the pressure of other classmates viewing their videos and seeing teacher comments. This has worked very well in my room for ALL of my students. |
3/27/2019
Topic:
Assessment of Learning
Celia Sperotto
|
I actually do this with all of my students and I find it to be the most fair way to assess knowledge learned in my classroom (besides playing tests). I do something along the lines of response cards, but instead of paper and pencil, I ask a question as an assignment on Google Classroom that requires only a sentence or two to answer it (we're a one-to-one school). This is something I have them complete in class so if there are any issues I can help the students. I give them credit for turning it in (I call it a did-it grade) instead of whether their answer is right or wrong. This lets me know as a teacher who may need some additional help and/or if I need to reteach the concept to the entire class. |