10/11/2019
Topic:
Tools and Strategies
Julie McFarlane
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One strategy that I currently use in my classroom of keyboard students is learning centers. I like to take about 6 students in a 45-minute class period, and rotate between them, as they are practicing their current songs ("piano karate") challenge levels with headphones at their own personal electric keyboard instrument. Students that are a little more shy and reserved may request that the other students leave their headphones on as they are "playing off" their musical piece for me, whereas other students may desire for an audience and allow other students to hear them play and provide encouragement with a round of applause at the end. This allows for self-expression and personal preference each week, and may adjust as to the child's feelings that day or confidence levels during the learning process time. It also builds familiarity within the group. Having learning centers provides me with the ability to teach multiple students at once, and circulate between them providing one-on-one attention when necessary to aid in the learning process.
Another strategy that would be useful with my younger (Pre-K, K, and 1st grade) guitar students is peer partners. I like to utilize chord buddies on the Rogue 7/8 size guitars to get my littles started with strumming, feeling the steady beat, and building strength in their fingers and thumb on the other hand. (I'm saying "other hand" because I do have some lefties, and I've bought some left-handed guitars for that very purpose of accommodating the natural way of feeling rhythm for these students!  One child can sit at the fretboard (chord buddy) and practice pushing the color-coded buttons as we change chords in the song, while the other student may practice strumming the strings over the sound hole with a steady beat. This is a great strategy to utilize all the way through for students with disabilities who have any challenges with processing and assimilating multiple activities at once. |
10/14/2019
Topic:
Assessment of Learning
Julie McFarlane
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One adapted assessment that I have successfully utilized in my music classroom is integrating color-coded chords when teaching guitar. I have an instrument supplemental tool that I attach to the end of the guitar called the Chord Buddy. It allows my autistic students to have an alternative format for the written chords, pressing the colored buttons that match the colors of the chords in the written music. This is a concrete, visual representation of the concepts that I am teaching, and also a fun way for my younger students to grasp onto the technique of playing chords and "reading" the music, without being overwhelmed by physical constraints/strength needed and coordination of pushing the strings on the fretboard. |