6/11/2020
Topic:
Students with Disabilities
Steven J Bossert
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I had a student who wanted to play violin in orchestra several years ago. Her middle and ring finger were fused together so she only had her thumb and 2 functioning fingers on her left hand. I restrung a violin so instead of using her left hand for the violin and right hand for the bow, she reversed it. I did have to be a little creative on seating in the ensemble as she was opposite of the others in the section. This just took a little more space between her and her stand partner. She ended up doing very well in orchestra and was a great asset to the class! |
6/15/2020
Topic:
Tools and Strategies
Steven J Bossert
|
Two strategies I use frequently in my music classroom are mnenomic instruction and peer partners. Our school has a large best buddies club and many of my orchestra students are members of the club and help out in my visual and performing arts class. The students love being paired up to help reinforce the music skills and concepts being taught in class. In addition, using the mnenomic tools helps all of the students remember and learn the concepts such as key signatures and note names. |
6/15/2020
Topic:
Assessment of Learning
Steven J Bossert
|
A few years ago I had a bass student who broke her leg 2 weeks before our spring concert and could not play the concert. She video recorded the concert and gave a review of the concert as if she was an MPA judge. It was an eye opener for her to see the orchestra from the audience vs. being on stage with the group. Her comments were then shared with the group the next day in class. |