4/26/2023
Topic:
Students with Disabilities
Katie McGuire Menges
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Currently, I have a student who has a hand deformity. Looking at his hands it is hard to tell-- until you give him a recorder. Thankfully, I asked a friend for advice (someone who subs in my room) and her daughter, who works at the county level, in another county, knew exactly what I needed. My county was able to give us a few adaptive recorders. Their outlook on music changed (the 2 students who needed them) and they were more willing to play instruments and participate in class. I asked for three recorders, just incase and another teacher needed one. It was a simple gesture that made huge impact on her student as well. |
4/26/2023
Topic:
Tools and Strategies
Katie McGuire Menges
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Today, I had an ESE class that was finishing up their unit on orchestra instruments and families. Using task cards, they were able to place the different instruments into families- strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. This was wonderful to see because they could identify it by the picture and tell me different qualities that all the instruments had in common. Our first graders are learning a song about a very naughty kitty cat. We made predications about the song-- how was the kitty going to be naught-- and how we taught the song was doing to end. After we sang the song, we made another 'verse' to the song and added a refrain between. This was an easy way to get reciprocal teaching into our lesson. To take it another step further we made story boards that went with our song. |
4/26/2023
Topic:
Assessment of Learning
Katie McGuire Menges
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Today, a 1st grade ESE class was finishing their unit on orchestra instruments and families. While I know they would not be able to take the same assessment the general education class was taking, they could still demonstrate retention of information. I have a set of cards with instruments on them and the instrument name. The students had to tell me one fact and the family it belonged to. When they got it correct they came to me, got the card and a high five and brought it back to their seat. When all cards were completed, we had a few minutes left, so we grouped all string instruments together (highest to lowest), then woodwinds, brass and percussion (based on how the instrument was play- shake, hit or scrape). I was amazed at how fluent they were and much then enjoyed their 'test'. What a treat! |