Submitted by Audra Barrick, Wahoo, Nebraska

Idea posted September 30, 2005

I just moved from teaching elementary to teaching middle and high school. I have one class with special education students ranging from sixth to twelveth grade. Some of these students are very high functioning and are mainstreamed into many other classes. Some of these students are very low functioning. There are eight students and four aides. I have discovered a few things that work with them so far this year.

  1. Time Travel - At least once a week, we go back in time and discover a "new" composer. I play a descending chromatic scale on the piano to take us back in time. (Students with autism are very literal, so make sure you play the ascending scale to return to present day!) We discuss what society was like, what clothing was worn, what technology was used, etc. We then spend a few minutes listening to one piece of music. We conclude by discussing instruments heard and discussing the composer's life.
  2. Rhythm Stick Leader - All students of all ability levels in this class just love to have their turn being the leader for our rhythm stick game. I play music they enjoy, and they take turns leading the class in exploring percussion sounds with their rhythm sticks. They tap them together, long-ways, end-to-end, on the chair, on the floor... anything but on a neighbor.
  3. I use Greg and Steve CDs each day to get the students up and moving to the music.

Not all the students are able to understand everything or participate in the discussions fully. The discussion time gives the older students a chance to increase their understanding of music, while the younger or lower functioning students enjoy listening and swaying to the music.