10/5/2019
Topic:
Students with Disabilities
Marc Smith
|
I taught a blind student to play trumpet in band for 3 years. Fortunately, I had a wonderful ESE teacher helping in this journey. I learned about the Braille system for music. Also, the beginning method book we used was already transcribed in Braille. The student would use one hand to read the Braille. We ordered a strap that went around his neck that held the trumpet up for him. It was designed for students with only one arm. The student would usually memorize/play by ear the music once it was learned. The ESE teacher would take any of the concert music and get it transcribed in Braille for him. He was pretty successful in Band in elementary/middle school. He continued his band journey in High School. He even marched in the Marching Band. |
10/5/2019
Topic:
Tools and Strategies
Marc Smith
|
In addition to explaining how key signatures are determined, I use mnemonics to help students remember the key signatures. See no "# or b's," you are in the key of C. The order of Sharps are Fat Cats Go Down Alleys Eating Bread. The order of Flats are the sharps spelled backwards, or spell the word BEAD - Great Chicago Fire. The word "Flat" begins with "F," therefore, 1 flat in your Key Signature is "F." It is the next to last flat in all the other Key Signatures.
The second strategy is using Computer-Assisted Software with iPads to have the student do drill and practice identifying the key signatures. MusicTheory.net works well for this. |
10/5/2019
Topic:
Tools and Strategies
Marc Smith
|
In addition to explaining how key signatures are determined, I use mnemonics to help students remember the key signatures. See no "# or b's," you are in the key of C. The order of Sharps are Fat Cats Go Down Alleys Eating Bread. The order of Flats are the sharps spelled backwards, or spell the word BEAD - Great Chicago Fire. The word "Flat" begins with "F," therefore, 1 flat in your Key Signature is "F." It is the next to last flat in all the other Key Signatures.
The second strategy is using Computer-Assisted Software with iPads to have the student do drill and practice identifying the key signatures. MusicTheory.net works well for this. |
10/5/2019
Topic:
Assessment of Learning
Marc Smith
|
I have a student who is language impaired. When assessing the student on music vocabulary, I give the student multiple chances to take the assessment throughout the quarter. If he scored 100% on the assessment, they did not have to retest. The goal is for all the students to learn the information and be able to apply it to the music being studied. |