2/18/2020
Topic:
Students with Disabilities
Nathan Johnston
|
I had a student who had a significant hearing impairment and was also wheelchair bound. Hearing assistive technology helped a little but didn't help the student quite enough to understand lyrics or pitches to our songs. That student became out steady beat helper. It was a job that all of the other students fought over. His job was to use one of several different percussion instruments and keep the beat with the song. I had some wonderful help from our schools ESE teacher during class to make sure he was staying with us. |
2/18/2020
Topic:
Students with Disabilities
Nathan Johnston
|
I love using scarfs for my students who need a little more space. I love the conductor idea. Thank you! ursula von bargen-seitz fortner wrote:
In the elementary Orff music environment, my young autistic student would be the 'conductor', standing at a distance, while we practiced with the Orff instruments as a whole group, rather than play an instrument in the whole group setting. She would create her own melodies and play them on the xylophone while the other students worked quietly with materials. Similarly, this student enjoyed dancing, one scarf in each hand, in front of the group, at a distance. Having this personal space away from the group and doing something singular and repetitive on her own reduced the need to hide or rock in the face of sensory overload and/or inundation of personal space by people. |
2/24/2020
Topic:
Tools and Strategies
Nathan Johnston
|
I have a student who frequently uses my classroom iPad for activities due to his limited mobility. We have matching activities or quizzes that sometimes require the students to write on paddle boards or white boards. I am able to give my student an iPad with the same questions and options and he has no issues using this. It's wonderful to have that student always be involved. |
2/26/2020
Topic:
Assessment of Learning
Nathan Johnston
|
I had an instrument identification assessment I was giving in my class. I had a student with limited mobility who had difficulty writing. The student was able to do the assessment vocally with a paraprofessional rather than the written test. I'm very thankful and lucky to have had such wonderful help in the classroom. |