music activities for special education students

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Music Activities Designed For Students With Special Needs: Techniques And Resources Included

March 20, 2024 //  by  Stephanie Lott

Your children thrive when they have opportunities to explore the arts, and music is particularly helpful for those who may need extra support to express themselves, connect with their peers, and develop classroom skills. By providing them with engaging activities, from making and playing instruments to sing-alongs, you’ll create an inclusive learning environment for all of your musicians! The benefits of music are lasting, so start exploring our list of 25 magical musical activities curated especially for your students with disabilities!

1. Instrument Petting Zoo

Start your year off on the right note by setting up an instrument ‘petting zoo’ for Back-to-School Night! This station activity is perfect for letting your students and their families explore different instruments and for providing an excellent opportunity to get everyone excited about your music class!

Learn More: Make Moments Matter

2. Drumming

Let your kiddos get their energy out and express their feelings by banging on drums! Drumming is an incredible music therapy activity that helps them develop motor skills, impulse control, and self-esteem. Plus, they’ll have a blast while keeping the beat! 

Learn More: AKA Therapy

3. Morning Meeting Songs

Sing to a different tune by incorporating music during your circle time! You can play familiar songs or use ones that connect to academic concepts to make learning more engaging. To provide even more accessibility, use tools like interactive songboards to give your learners extra support.

Learn More: Supporting Special Learners

4. Music Memory Book

This keepsake activity is sure to delight both your little musicians and their families! Celebrate a whole year of musical achievements with this memory book that can be used to reflect on favorite songs, instruments, and more. This is also the perfect artifact to share with your families at conferences!

Learn More: TPT

5. Scarf Play

Spark joy in your students with scarf play! They’ll absolutely love the hands-on experience of making patterns with soft and colorful scarves. This is a sensory and movement activity that can be easily woven into your music class with the addition of classical or contemporary sing-alongs!

 Learn More: The Bulletin Board Lady

6. Routine Songs

Music creates a positive experience for your learners and creating songs together is an especially effective tool for those who benefit from extra support! You can sing these ready-to-go songs or create your own step-by-step musical directions to bust out during transitions, clean-up times, or even math class!

Learn More: Songs For Teaching

7. Rhythm Activities

Lessons that involve clapping, stomping, and marching are great activities to teach patterning, repetition, and more. You can incorporate items like rhythm sticks or percussion instruments for even more musical fun! Just be sure to have noise-canceling headphones available for your little ones who are easily overstimulated. 

Learn More: Rachel Rambach Listen And Learn Music

8. Listen And Draw

Combine music with visual arts to teach your children about their emotions! Use books like Niko Draws a Feeling to help them make the connection between music and their feelings, and then put on some tunes and have them draw what they feel. 

Learn More: Organized Chaos

9. Creating Soundscapes

Your kiddos will love this fun and collaborative activity! Start by showing them the pictures of this wordless book and then have them create a soundscape by adding sound effects to capture a character’s emotions or the picture’s color scheme. They can use their voices or jazz it up with instruments!

10. Vocal Exploration

Vocal exploration is great for creating an inclusive space and is particularly helpful for your students who are nonverbal. They’ll love trying to match components like pitch and tempo to simple pictures. Use pre-made cards or create your own to implement at the start of each music class! 

Learn More: Music In Motion

11. Music Apps

Your learners on the autism spectrum will certainly be engaged when using digital technology as a learning tool! Apps like Singing Fingers and GarageBand will help even reluctant musicians express themselves through song. The bonus of Singing Fingers is that it also incorporates visual arts into your music lessons! 

Learn More: Special Education Technology Center

12. Song Choice Book

Choice boards are a great communication tool for your kids who are nonverbal or who may struggle with expressing their needs. Just add pictures of a few songs that they’ve learned and have them move the Velcro-backed pieces to show you their decisions about what they want to sing! 

Learn More: You AUT-a Know

13. Pop Tubes

Your little ones already benefit from using fidgets, but did you know that these tools can also be used as musical instruments? Pop tubes can provide a new sensory element to practicing rhythms and can add some fun to playing a favorite song when used in a creative movement activity!

Learn More: Mrs. King’s Music Class

14. Music Shakers

Add crafting to your music lessons by making shakers together! Your kiddos will love creating instruments using recycled materials and dried foods to create maracas or rain sticks. Get things shakin’ by having them play their creations to songs like “Twinkle, Twinkle Traffic Light” to promote speech and vocabulary development!

Learn More: In The Playroom

15. Animusic

Animusic is an engaging series of videos that will help your musicians understand abstract musical concepts like harmony, pitch, and tempo. This calming approach offers visual and auditory support that is also helpful for use during transitions from one lesson to the next! 

Learn More: YouTube

16. Parachute Play

Parachute play of any kind builds community and social skills in your special education music class. Your children will love making waves with the parachute to mimic a particular rhythm or beat. They won’t even realize they are also strengthening upper body muscles and developing gross motor skills!

Learn More: Sing Play Create

17. Play-Doh Instruments

Make learning about instruments a sensory experience by adding Play-Doh mats to your music centers! Your students will love rolling and shaping the dough to form instruments and will learn and reinforce new vocabulary while doing it!

Learn More: Preschool Play And Learn

18. Drawing To Music

Drawing while listening to music is an accessible, safe, and creative way for everyone to express their feelings. Your learners will love it when you play music from different genres while encouraging them to draw what they hear and feel. Share and compare their work at the end!

Learn More: Artful Parent

19. Free Dance

Get your musicians up and moving with a free dance! Play these kid-friendly hits or create your own playlist as a class to practice spatial awareness, explore different genres, and express emotions through movement. Use this as a quick brain break or to help make transitions a little more upbeat!

Learn More: Spotify

20. Musical Jenga

This fun music therapy game will help your little ones develop their emotional processing skills. Add prompts to Jenga blocks that ask them to sing about a time when they were happy or sad and you’ll be amazed at their unique creations that will help you understand them better! 

Learn More: Creative Therapy Umbrella

21. Calming Songs

Your kiddos all need downtime, but this is especially true for those on the autism spectrum. A good-fit therapeutic tune can help them regulate in times of sensory overload, so have them start exploring this list of songs with calming beats and rhythms to identify their match!

Learn More: Autism Connect

22. Painting On Music

Your students will love this integrative activity that has them listening to a song while painting their feelings on the song’s sheet music. Seeing the actual notes while painting adds an extra level of support to help their brains process what they’re listening to – it’s a win-win!

Learn More: Creative Family Fun

23. Sing-Along Discussion

Sing-alongs are an enjoyable activity and can be even more effective when adding a discussion to help your learners develop communication and social skills. Use structured questions to help them think about feelings or memories associated with a song. They’ll have fun with music and learn about their peers! 

Learn More: Craft Bits

24. Boomwhackers

Boomwhackers are an incredible, color-coded tool for teaching your children music skills like rhythm, tempo, pitch, reading chords, and more! They’re also a great gross motor exercise, since, true to the name, they’ll get the chance to whack them on tables to play notes!

Learn More: Pinterest

25. Echo Songs

Echo songs, or call-and-response songs, are great for introducing vocal music to your special education class. The simple verses are easy to remember, fun to sing, and will help your students develop focus and working memory. Not only that, but this approach is great for building a cohesive classroom community!

Learn More: Yellow Brick Road Music

• Our Mission

It’s a Snap! 4 Ways to Use Music With Special Needs Students

Special ed teachers should consider music in their classrooms to supplement visuals, teach through students’ favorite songs, emphasize rhythm, and generalize lessons into non-musical settings.

I’ve heard Pharrell Williams' song "Happy" a few times in the last week, and the unhappy news is that it's now playing on repeat inside my head . . . over and over and over again. The good news is that we can actually use this scenario to our advantage with our difficult-to-reach students and special learners. Music can often be the key that unlocks the door to learning for children who think outside of the box. In fact, studies have found that individuals with diagnoses such as autism and Williams syndrome frequently have preserved musical abilities despite challenges in non-music functioning.

Capitalizing on these benefits, board-certified music therapists develop music-based interventions to help students make progress in educational goal areas. Music therapy is even recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and states such as California as a related service which may be required for a student to benefit from his or her educational program.

As music therapists, we have the unique opportunity to compose educational songs, write learning chants, and use musical cues to target goals that students are having difficulty meeting. We use music as a motivator, memory tool, timekeeper, and way to elicit communication when other strategies have not been effective. In school settings, music therapists provide consultation, training, and resources to the child's teacher and other members of the IEP team.

Even if you sing off-key, there are many simple ways for integrating music-assisted learning techniques to help your students tune in. Here are four music therapist-recommended strategies to use music as a teaching tool in special education.

1. Music + Visual Supports = Increased Comprehension

While music is an effective memory cue and learning modality, many students still perform best when visual cues are paired with auditory stimuli. Using flash cards, song story books , digital pictures, and even physical gestures can increase students' understanding of the lyrics they are hearing or singing. Here's an example of a song about money with simple visual supports:

2. Favorite Songs as a Teaching Tool

For students who have limited interests or are difficult to engage, try creating a lesson plan around one of their favorite songs. Let's take the earlier example of the song "Happy." Given printed or digital lyric sheets, students can read the song lyrics out loud, identify unfamiliar vocabulary, circle key words, and discuss the song's meaning. Afterward, students can complete a related writing activity based on the central themes in the song.

For younger students, provide pictures or photos that relate to the main characters, animals, objects, or actions from a song. Engage the student in selecting the correct pictures as you sing the words from the song, or have them sequence the pictures in order from memory after listening to the song.

3. Rhythm Is Your Friend

There is a focus in special education (especially with autism intervention) on structuring the student's visual environment. What about auditory information? Verbal instructions and dialog can also be overwhelming for students who have difficulty filtering for the important information they should attend to. Rhythm helps emphasize key words, add a predictable cadence, and naturally gets the body in sync with and tuned into the activity.

Try this simple greeting chant:

Let’s go 'round in a circle. Let’s go 'round in a game. When I get to you, tell me, what’s your name?

Students can tap the syllables to their name on a drum to help with their articulation and pacing. Tapping a rhythm on the table, a knee, or a drum is also a great tool for students who speak too fast or are difficult to understand.

4. Generalization Is Key

It's great to see a student who can sing his or her phone number, math facts, or classroom rules through a song, but what happens when music time is over? It's our job as educators to facilitate the generalization of skills from the music to the non-music setting. Some ways to do this include:

• After a song, ask the students "Wh" questions (who, what, when, where, why) about the song content in spoken language.
• Use visual supports from the song during related non-music activities. You might use pictures from a hand-washing song as cues during actual hand washing at the sink.
• Use lyrics from the song as cues throughout the week. If you have a behavioral song cuing the student to keep their hands down, you might start by singing the "hands down" phrase at other times during the day when you see the student becoming restless. Later you can fade the singing into a spoken voice.

Now it's your turn to get those songs out of your head and into the classroom! And please share with us how you use music with your special education students.

• Virtual Learning
• Choral / Vocal
• Instrumental
• Music Education

THE J. W. PEPPER BLOG | DELIVERING MUSIC SINCE 1876

Teaching Music to Students with Special Needs & Learning Disabilities

Dr. Alice Hammel remembers when Vinnie started school. He had frequent outbursts and struggled throughout most of his elementary school years; eventually, he was diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum. Dr. Hammel, who is a nationally recognized expert on teaching music to children of all ages with special needs, said Vinnie was unusual in that he could not match pitch – at all.

Then came the answers. It was discovered he had a specific problem, discussed in our recent guest contributor blog on the brain : auditory white noise was interfering with his ability to learn. He underwent intensive therapy, and by fifth grade he went from being the student who could not match pitch to performing a solo in the school concert.

Vinnie illustrates both the challenge and the promise that students with special needs can represent. Dr. Hammel enjoys working with students like him since it gives her the chance to be creative and modify lessons to help all students thrive. She has sought out schools with a high number of students with special needs in general education classes.

“The really fascinating thing is they can appear, or are, brilliant except for that one little, tiny piece that is their disability,” Dr. Hammel said. “We focus on using their strengths and bypassing their difficulty.”

To do this, first there has to be an understanding of the most common types of disabilities and how schools create plans to accommodate students with them.

The Basics: What Is an IEP and a 504 Plan?

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is created for students who:

• Have a disability as defined by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
• Are found to need special education and related services

IDEA covers 13 disabilities, including specific learning disabilities, autism, and certain health impairments.

The process for obtaining and monitoring an IEP involves multiple steps, such as testing by an educational psychologist and meetings with an IEP team that includes the child’s parent or guardian, a general education teacher, a special education teacher, a psychologist or other specialist, and a district representative.

An IEP sets learning goals and may include classroom accommodations along with modifications to the curriculum. Here you can learn the difference between accommodations and modifications. Schools receive funding to serve these students.

A 504 plan can be created for a wider scope of special needs and for children who may have one of the disabilities listed in IDEA but do not qualify for special education.  The plans are based on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 , which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities.

This federal law defines a disability as something that substantially limits one or more basic life activities. Students with 504 plans may need accommodations, such as preferential seating, to be successful. Here is a chart that helps explain the differences and similarities between the plans .

Responsibilities of a Music Teacher

All educators should receive the IEPs and 504 plans for students they are teaching each year. It’s important to review them and understand any accommodations, modifications, and goals listed in the documents in order to devise an appropriate special education music curriculum.

If there are any questions, a teacher can contact the IEP team or special education department for help. In cases where an accommodation works in a general education class but not a music class, Dr. Hammel suggests writing to the team. For example, if a student requires preferential seating near instruction, but earns a chair position that would require the student to be towards the middle of a band or orchestra rather than in the front or at the end, a letter may be ordered.

“I would send a note to the IEP team and say a student earned the chair, and ask if it’s okay to deviate from the plan,” Dr. Hammel said.

You also can talk to the team, the special education department, or your supervisor if you need to buy something for an accommodation, such as a special mallet, adaptive devices, or large-print music.  In most schools, there is a special education budget that is separate from the music budget, and you may be able to use those funds for these purchases.

The Most Common Disabilities You May See

The most common disabilities seen in most schools are generally not the ones some people expect. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 34% of the students served by IDEA in the 2015–2016 school year had a specific learning disability (SLD). 20% had a speech or language impairment, 14% had other health impairments, and 9% had autism spectrum disorder. Other types of disabilities, such as a hearing or orthopedic impairment, are less common.

Specific learning disabilities are defined by IDEA as disorders involving “one or more of the basic psychological processes,” which may cause challenges in areas such as reading, writing, and math. Common disabilities in this category include dyslexia which affects reading, dysgraphia which affects writing, and dyscalculia, which is a math disability.

Children with SLDs often have average or above-average intelligence, and their disabilities are frequently considered “hidden” since their challenges stem from the way their brains process information. Students with SLDs learn differently and generally benefit from academic flexibility in the classroom.

Speech and language impairments involve communication challenges, such as stuttering, or verbal comprehension issues. These children often benefit from early intervention from speech-language pathologists.

Other health impairments include acute or chronic health problems that may affect energy levels or attention, such as heart disorders, diabetes, or epilepsy. It may also include students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).

Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that can cause communication, social, and behavioral challenges. Students with ASD often benefit from structure, consistency, and breaks.

Ways to Help Teach Music to Students With Special Needs

Dr. Hammel says music class is a perfect place for students with special needs to thrive because it provides many opportunities for active participation, including the chance to demonstrate ability or progress in ways other than writing, such as singing, dancing, moving, making sounds, or drawing.

“It removes all the barriers and allows students to participate so they can be seen for their strengths rather than their differences,” Dr. Hammel said.

To help this process, there are generally four things Dr. Hammel considers when looking at ways to adapt her music classroom for a diversity of needs. There are a variety of ways to create a special education music curriculum, including:

• Modality – Giving lessons geared to multiple senses. This includes aural, visual, and kinesthetic instruction. In the same class, you could have a student with an auditory processing disorder who struggles with spoken words and needs visuals, a second student with a visual processing disorder who has the reverse challenge, and a third student who learns best by actively participating.

To address this, in a rhythm lesson, for example, a teacher can verbally discuss and show visuals about rhythm patterns in addition to having the students write down rhythms and clap them.

• Pacing – Altering the speed at which music is presented or needs to be learned. For example, allow a student to start by only playing a few consistent notes in a song. So, a young student may only play a D or F every time it appears in Mary Had a Little Lamb . Then later other notes can be added. Generally, a student does not need to perform all the notes or measures in a composition to participate in class.

  You can also alter pacing by slowing down the tempo or giving students a longer period of time to learn a composition.

• Size – Increasing the size of resources to help students with visual processing difficulties. Pepper offers a variety of large-print sheet music that can help with this effort.
• Color – Utilizing color-coding with erasable highlighters, colored tape, or other tools.

Music activities for special needs students can easily incorporate subject matter that will serve them in other subjects, as well, such as reading through the lyrics of a favorite song to identify unfamiliar words and discussing the songs meaning. Educators can use rhythm lessons to help with students’ speech patterns by having them use a percussion instrument to tap the syllables of their name or a common phrase. There are many resources available to aid with devising special education music lesson plans.

Dr. Hammel also says there are numerous apps to help with various disabilities. These apps can be particularly helpful for music teachers who have students with profound disabilities. Just a few examples are presented in this article from the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).

In the end, though, Dr. Hammel says the most important thing is the classroom atmosphere. She encourages the building of relationships in each class.

“When students get to know all the other kids in the group, they understand there is more that unites than divides them,” Dr. Hammel said.

For more information, Dr. Hammel has created several excellent resources specifically designed for music teachers.   View Dr. Hammel’s books and manuals here.

Other resources:

Children with Exceptionalities: A Special Research Interest Group of the National Association for Music Education

Special Education Law: Wrightslaw.com

Book by Judith Jellison: Including Everyone: Creating a Music Classroom Where All Children Can Learn  

• Classroom Music

This is a well-written and informative article. Thank you for posting!

What should I do if the school district is refusing to allow my son, whom has autism, to be a band student? I have an advocate that is fighting for us but this process has been going on all year and they refuse to teach him anything. Instead, he “participates” by hitting his practice pad during that period.

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Music For Special Education: The How to Guide to Success in Music Class

• September 4, 2022

Do you teach music for special education classes? Have you ever been stumped on how to make your self-contained special ed music class fun, engaging and successful for your students?

If so, you are in good company. It can be challenging finding what works for your special education music classes.

In this blog post I will share with you some of the things that I have learned through trial and error in my own classroom, and hopefully save you some of the challenges I had when starting to plan music lessons for special needs students.

Benefits of Music for Special Needs Students

There are so many benefits to exposing your special needs students to music. Here are just a few of the many ways that music benefits all students, especially students with special needs.

Social Benefits of Music

Music class can be a good way to teach social skills to students. Having a hello song and teaching students about responding to a hello greeting is a social skill they can learn.

Taking turns with an instrument is another one. Many of these students may have social goals on their IEP that you can work towards in your songs and activities.

Emotional Benefits of Music

Some special needs students may have difficulty expressing their emotions. They may also have difficulty processing emotional cues in others, such as body language and facial expressions.

You could use a song like If You’re Happy and You Know It, and in between repetitions of the song, have pictures of people with different emotions and have students identify what emotion they see.

Also, students get the emotional benefits of joy, camaraderie, and all the other wonderful emotions you can experience through music! 

Educational Benefits of Music

Songs can be a great way to practice foundational skills such as identifying colors, counting to ten, identifying letters, words or numbers, just to name a few. Again, there might be specific IEP goals students are working towards that you can incorporate into some of your songs.

For example, I did a winter song and then had students count the snowflakes. For more advanced students, I would have two sets of snowflakes. They have to point to the set with 3 snowflakes or the set with 5 snowflakes.

Musical Benefits of Music

And of course we can’t forget the musical benefits of music for special education. Learning about concepts such as steady beat, singing, correct use of instruments and all the other musical concepts that you can explore in your class.

Remember that for many students, the eventual goal is to mainstream them. So the more you can prepare them to join a mainstream classroom with some basic musical knowledge, the better.

Accommodations will most certainly have to be made even after mainstreaming, but it would help them tremendously to have some basic knowledge to work from.

Planning Music Lesson for Special Needs Students

Set some basics music goals for your special ed students.

I have two different levels that I see – PreK and K-5. While there is a wide range of students in the K-5 class, there are more students on the older side (2nd grade and up).

For my PreK class, my goals are mostly to get them to respond to music through some sort of movement and to explore the correct use of an instrument such as rhythm sticks or a drum. Do not expect that all students will respond right away. Expect a lot of blank stares the first time. Students need MANY repetitions of the same song before they might join in and move along with it.

With my older grades, we started with the steady beat. We also had goals such as sorting percussion into metal and wood groups and describing how a song makes them feel. Many students are non-verbal, so I have not done any singing goals, but each group of students is different. Tailor your goals to their needs.

Tips on How to Teach Music to Special Needs Students

Students thrive on routines, especially in special education. Have a standard routine every time students come to your room. Mine consists of sitting, reviewing correct music class behaviors, looking at our visual picture schedule, singing a hello song, doing some songs and activities and then our goodbye song.

I cannot stress this one enough. Repetition is KEY for special ed students. With my PreK class, I will be slowing this down considerably next year to the point of creating a new lesson for them each quarter.

That’s right. They will repeat basically the same lesson for 9 weeks in a row. And love it. I will add an extra level of familiarity with them during the beginning of the year by using mostly songs they already know (Wheels on the Bus, Baby Shark, etc), that will help take away from the unfamiliarness of a new space (the music room).

My older class doesn’t need to repeat quite that much, but we will probably do the same songs for at least a month at a time.

Picture Schedule

When teaching music for special education classes, have a visual schedule of what you are doing for the day. Students thrive on routine, and knowing their schedule helps them know the purpose of the lesson and what is happening next. Otherwise, anxiety over the unknown can spiral your class right out of control.

Students who do not know the game plan for the class period often act out with a variety of behaviors, so give them what they need (a picture schedule), and you’ll already have upped the success factor in your class.

A great place to learn more about picture schedules in at Autism Little Learners . Tara has a wealth of information about ways to use visual supports in your classroom. You can even check out this 7-Day Visual Supports Challenge .

Visuals are incredibly useful in teaching music for special education. With my PreK class, I have learned to give the verbal direction once, then just use the visual until they comply or I show them what I am trying to communicate, hand over hand.

See if you can give one word directions. Clap. Sit. Play. I had no concept of how many extra words I was using until I first encountered my PreK class. The assistants in that class coached me and it took a while but our class was rocking by the end of the year.

I use visuals to show what I want them to do in each activity (clap, play an instrument, listen, etc) and to help them pick choices (ex: what animal should we sing about on Old MacDonald’s farm?).

I use a visual of students sitting when they come in the door. I have visuals of our rules (I use the same ones that they use in their classroom at circle time). If there is something you want them to understand, be prepared to have a visual handy.

Puppets and Play Toys

Music can be a bit abstract for many students. Having something concrete can help them perceive and respond to music. For example, marching toy dinosaurs to We Are the Dinosaurs by The Laurie Bernker Band was a wild success with my PreK class.

Instruments

Isn’t it universally true that every song is better with an instrument to play along? Special ed students love instruments just as much as all your other students. So of course we use them in practically every lesson.

I usually have an instrument of the month (or quarter for my PreK). We discuss the correct way to use it (not in the mouth, gentle, etc). Then we pass it out and play with the song.

Sensory Activities

One thing that is a huge hit with special ed students is sensory experiences. Things like sitting under a big parachute as the adults lift it up and down over their heads, having a giant scarf brushing up and down over their face as you lift it up and down, bubble activities and more.

Hand Over Hand

Sometimes when you are teaching students skills such as steady beat or even making a choice of two pictures on a piece of paper, you may have to physically guide their hand. This is called “hand over hand” and is a form of scaffolding to help them learn new skills.

This can be a very helpful tool, but always keep in mind the temperament of the child as well. Some students are ok with hand over hand. Some students are resistant to touch. The student’s aide should be able to help you gauge what is best for each individual child.

Limited Choices

An overabundance of choices can be very overwhelming to special needs students. When possible, give students just two choices. 

For example, when teaching about types of percussion, we didn’t sort woods, membranes, shakers and metal all at the same time. We just sorted metal or wood. So for each instrument I could just ask metal or wood?

Non-verbal options

Remember, many of your students may be non-verbal or have limited verbal abilities. If you can find the right way to ask a question, you might be surprised how much they know.

The first time I to tried to teach about types of percussion, I thought the kids were not grasping it at all. I would show an instrument we had just talked about and ask them – is this a metal? Well, no matter what instrument is was, they would just say “yes” to everything.

Then I had a different idea. I gave them the instrument in their hands. Then I grabbed two buckets. I asked “metal or wood” indicating one bucket for metal and the other for wood. They had about 95% accuracy after that.

Another non-verbal tool is a choice chart. It has picture of, for example, different movements we could do to a song (tap, jump, clap, etc). Students can point to their choice.

Finally, here is another example of a non-verbal tool I used in teaching music for special education. I saw a music and emotions worksheets on @buchananmusicprogram on Instagram and thought – this would be perfect for my special ed students!

Students pick a color and emotion to go with a song. We listened to different kids of music and students worked with an aide to decide on a picture to paste and a color to go with each song.

A List of Music for Special Education Classes

Looking for some helpful songs and resources for teaching your special ed music classes? Here is a short list of some of the songs my students loved.

YouTube Channels

The Singing Walrus – great songs for older students. The songs are simple, but the music is less baby-ish.

Super Simple Songs – excellent for PreK classes

CocoMelon – there is something magical and mystical about CocoMelon songs. Students are always pulled into the videos. 

Songs for Younger Grades

We Are the Dinosaurs – Laurie Berkner Band

The Goldfish Song – Laurie Berkner Band

Wheels on the Bus

Old MacDonald

The Itsy Bitsy Spider

The Rainbow Song

Logo Te Pate (from Moana)

Colombia, Mi Encanto (from Encanto)

Songs for Older Grades

Rock and Roll version of Jingle Bells

First Snow by TSO – click to view the motions I created on YouTube!

Mary At the Kitchen Door (blues-style folk song)

Looking For More Ideas For Music Class?

Here are some other blog posts you might enjoy.

Movement Activity With Troika by Prokofiev

Five Fun Ways to Teach About Famous Composers

10 Responses

I have a nonverbal autistic son. His language is music and art. I have a few suggestions that helped a great deal. 1. Music for nonverbal autistic kids needs to be in a room that doesn’t have anything else. It needs to be extremely clear what they are there for, otherwise they will get distracted very easily. 2. When giving instruction, do not use verbal communication. Either physically show them or have a video that shows them, make sure there are NO verbal instructions.

3. Music production software is a great tool for teaching music especially piano because the kids can actually see the notes and can visually see how long they are supposed to hold the note. And it introduces them to recording and making songs from scratch.

I have done this with my son and he pretty much teaches himself. We do this everyday and he is now copying music completely by ear. He can pick out the key to any song within a few seconds. He also ended up being an incredible tap dancer.

Another very positive thing that happened is he learned to read. Everytime I would play a song on YouTube, he would remember the title of the video. He then could search for songs he likes, He now knows the names of thousands of songs.

We used the same technique for learning drawing. We just show him a drawing tutorial and he copies what they do.

He plays the glockenspiel, keyboard, drums, congas, bongos and tap dances. He also makes his own hip hop beats. He is currently 13 years old.

I removed him from special education because it was a disaster for him and for many kids because the classrooms are set up for failure. I don’t think most people involved in special education understand just how easily distracted these kids can be.

I hope these suggestions help you.

Thank you for all the great tips! They definitely resonate with me. It has been a major challenge for me to remember to limit (or eliminate) verbal directions, but honestly, now that I am more aware of it, it has helped save my voice and make my directions less verbal in my other classes as well! And thank you so much for mentioning technology. I will have to go in and add a section on that as it is such a useful tool. Great tips all around.

Using both verbal and visual language together, keeping verbal instructions short, integrating kinesthetic practice, and leaving extra time for students to respond verbal cues to should work well.

Thanks Jess! Awesome suggestions!

AWESOME INFO! THANKS FOR SHARING!!!

Thanks! ❤️ I hope that you and your students find it helpful! Reach out and let me know what things worked well in your class. I would love to hear. 😃

How and where do I purchase these wonderful tools for teaching Special Education students? Please, share this pertinent information and I will definitely become a subscriber!

Sincerely, Ruthie Savon [email protected]

Hello there Ruthie! Thanks for reading. The tools I use for teaching Special Education classes come from many places. I usually just make the visual schedules using icons in PowerPoint. I tried to provide links within the article to the YouTube channels and and other sources I used. Let me know know if there is a specific resource you’d like to know about and I can send you in the right direction. The only one that I have available as a product is the sorting cards shown in the post. I have included a link to them here: Instrument Sorting Cards

I am looking for advice. The music teacher in my high school has never taught a high school life skills group. The material she uses is based upon elementary level . What resources are available for providing high school students music education? A non elementary morning song would be nice

This is a great question. I have only ever taught the elementary level so I cannot speak from experience. But off the top of my head, I might use something like the Mooseclumps YouTube channel. It takes pop songs and changes the words to make them about different concepts. Or even looking for some straight up pop songs to teach social-emotional skills (songs like Happy by Pharrell, or Beautiful Day by U2, etc). Then for the other parts of class I might see what kind of adaptive music making they could do using iPad instrumental apps, etc. I hope some of this is helpful! Thanks for the question.

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Hi, I'm Erin!

I am an elementary music teacher, blogger and mom on a mission to make teaching and lesson planning easier for you. When I’m not working, you can find me at home enjoying life with my husband, daughter and two cats.

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Teaching Music to Students with Special Needs: Strategies for Teaching an Adaptive Music Class

It is becoming more common that secondary music educators are asked to take on a class of special education students. This can be cause for some anxiety as it may be difficult to know how to go about teaching an adaptive music class. A number of years ago I was tasked with developing a class specifically for secondary students in a self-contained special education setting that would meet daily for music instruction. Incorporating students with specific learning and developmental needs into a school music program is something I have been able to do successfully since then. A self-contained class such as this can have a wide range of diagnoses and abilities: emotional behavioral disorders; the autism spectrum; and severe disabilities that cause students to be wheelchair bound. These are some strategies I have found to be most effective when going about teaching students with special needs.

Get to know your Special Education team!

The Special Education team in your school is your most valuable resource. Often, the aides that work with these students have been with them for multiple years and know them very well as individuals and can give you insight into their behaviors and things that work well for them in the education setting.  Special Education teachers have the experience of creating lessons specifically for the students on their caseload and can also provide you with ideas and approaches to use.  Aides will almost always accompany students in a self-contained class and can help provide a one-on-one experience for each student.  Learn what kinds of adaptations and accommodations are helpful (or possibly even required) by reading each student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Getting to know everyone who is involved in the Special Education department is the first step in getting to know your students, their needs, and their abilities.

Adapt what you already do to fit the needs of the students

As a band director, teaching music with instruments is what I know best and am naturally most comfortable doing. I teach the basics of rhythm and note reading with world drumming, and move to simple note reading with mallet instruments and Orff arrangements. Boomwhackers are always a fun way to explore and play along with some classical music when learning about composers. Some students are more able than others when it comes to how much playing they can do during class, so finding an instrument that will allow them to participate and contribute is what is most important. This may mean using a shaker or tambourine to simply keep the beat with the rest of the class. Color coding notes with corresponding locations on instruments can help get a student playing. A unit on recorders that uses a limited range of notes can be a great way to work on fine motor skills. 

Be prepared and be predictable

Often, students with special needs rely heavily on a schedule.  Even the slightest upset to the schedule can have the tendency to throw off their entire day. Establishing a routine in class, keeping sensory overload to a minimum, and having a space free of distractions will help students focus. Using visuals to signal what is coming or to aid in understanding a musical idea will help students process. It can be a challenge to know if a lesson you have in mind will work with any particular group. Certain sounds may be a cause for upset, or a lesson just may not engage in the way you hoped it would. Sometimes by trial and error you will stumble on what is really effective with students with various needs. When you find activities that work well for a class, have them accessible for the times you may need to change your plans at the last minute!

Design a music class for all

The approach in teaching an adaptive music class will not be the same as that of a band class. These students may struggle with fine motor development, social skills, or hand-eye coordination. Music may be a means for students to achieve non-musical goals. Modifications to the way an instrument would typically be played can help the student be able to participate more fully. Limiting mallet instruments to one mallet at first while working on simple melodies, allowing the use of both hands to get holes covered on a recorder (as independent movement of fingers may be limited) while working on B-A-G melodies, and helping students learn how to play by practicing movements with them hand-over-hand all can be ways to get them making music.  Basic rhythmic literacy can be achieved with the use of Kodály syllables. Music games that promote cooperation and coordination can be a great way to get students moving and working together. They also may need more time and repetitions to learn, so going slowly with lots and lots of patience may be necessary. Adaptive music should enrich the lives of students with special needs and give them the opportunity to experience, create, and grow through the use of music.

I have found teaching students with special needs to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my teaching career. There is so much joy to be found in giving these students an opportunity that may otherwise be overlooked. Small moments can be leaps and bounds for students with special needs--from the initial excitement of being able to play an instrument to the first time a group that struggled with cooperation takes it upon themselves to play an Orff arrangement with no adult direction. I have incorporated self-contained students into my regular band for performances as well as held small concerts to show off what we have been doing in adaptive music for the rest of the student body. Students with special needs want to be able to be like their peers who do not have labels, and our job is to provide them with the best possible musical experience. Music offers us the chance to bring our students together in a way that no other discipline can.

Mallory Merkel

This article first appeared on the DANSR - Vandoren website. Vandoren has been committed to beautiful music through quality, innovative products since the company was founded in 1905. Now in its fourth generation, the Vandoren family continues to craft the highest quality reeds, mouthpieces, ligatures, and accessories in the world and maintains close relationships with the artists, educators, and students who depend on them. Check out their website here . Please view the original article here . 

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Special Needs for SPECIAL KIDS

Using music to teach successfully in special education settings.

• September 30, 2019
• Back to School tips , Classroom management , Teaching Tips

Have you tried using music to teach? How did it go? If you are looking for a better way to engage your students this back-to-school season while still maintaining control of your classroom, then be sure to remember these 5 important steps when using music to teach in your special education classroom.

Remember when you were a kid, and School House Rock would come on? I still remember the basics of how a bill becomes a law thanks to that catchy tune.

With technology today, it is even easier to add music either with or without video to many of your lessons. And, if you teach in a special education setting this is not only a powerful tool for increasing engagement and recall, but it can be a great tool for minimizing problematic behaviors.

Let’s look at some best practices when it comes to using music to teach in a special education setting .

Then be sure to download the list at the end of this post that has over 175 links to songs on YouTube organized by topic to use in your own classroom!!

1.   Plan to play the song as soon as most students are sitting at the table .

I always found it challenging to get everyone settled for a group lesson after gathering from different places and activities in the room.  I would start the song as soon as most or all of the students were seated. 

This had three main advantages.  First, it encouraged the stragglers to hurry up and get to the table.  All of my students LOVED the songs, and no one wanted to miss them.  Second, it gave them a couple of minutes to get those wiggles out and settle their bodies.  Third, it gave me time to make sure I had everything I needed for the lesson ready to go.

So, playing the song as the actual first activity in my lesson was a constant.  As soon as the song was over, we would jump into the book and then the activities.  This consistency was so incredibly helpful and was such a reinforcing way to start the lesson.

2 .  When using music to teach, use manipulatives if you can .

If I could easily come up with some sort of manipulative for the students to use WITH the song, then it was even better.  For example, when we sang our alphabet song, every student had a simple ABC chart.  They would point to each letter as we sang.  Either I or my assistant would be modeling this behavior for them.  

In math, when we did the money song, I printed off pictures of the money for them to point to. So, here is the thing if you have not already figured it out.  Don’t make the manipulatives too distracting.  Using real or play money would have been way too overstimulating when combined with the music.  I know, I tried it.  For almost all the songs, I had a simple “song board” I could use. 

Sometimes, the manipulatives were our hands.  We would do certain hand movements if called for in the song.  And then, sometimes, I just didn’t have anything, and it still worked just fine.

3.  Use age-appropriate music

You all know this is a soap box of mine.  Does that mean you cannot sing in middle or high school?  NO!!!  Look at this video about the Reconstruction: 

I think that is pretty cool for older kids.  Plus, if you choose to just play the music without the video (which is how I chose to do it) then it is even easier to find things appropriate for older students.

Music transcends all ages, so there is a lot of leeway here for sure.  Just do the best you can.

4.  Be mindful of the tempo you choose.

When using music to teach, I found that some songs just ended up winding my kids up way too much.  It takes a little while to dial in exactly what you can and cannot use with your students, but it won’t take long for you to identify what not to use. 

5.  Technology to use.

Well, things have changed A LOT since I was in the classroom as far as technology.  I was limited to an actual CD player and CDs when using music to teach.  Luckily, being in an elementary school, I begged and borrowed tons of CDs from the regular ed teachers.  Today, I would choose a totally different route.

If you have a smartphone, I would consider investing in a small portable speaker that would connect via Bluetooth.  This is the one I use at home and it was inexpensive on Amazon.

That way you can connect right to YouTube from your phone and play the song.  Again, using the video component of the song is not always necessary, and in some cases can be too distracting.

So, what should you NOT do?

The biggest mistake I made, and saw others make when it came to music, was trying to use it as a cue that it was time to transition . 

In other words, the students would all be doing different things in different locations, and you go up to the CD player and hit “play.”  The idea is the music starts and all the students go to check their schedules and move on to the next activity. 

Ugh, this NEVER worked for me.  Inevitably, there would be dancing all around the room and craziness.  I needed to have them sitting BEFORE starting the music.

The other problem was not making your expectations simple and clear. 

You need to teach this strategy for it to really work.  That means lots of practice with consistent clear procedures. 

For example, you need to decide what you will do if a student decides to get up and dance at that table.  Oh yeah, that happened in the beginning, A LOT!! 

You could use a visual cue card to sit down.  If that does not work, simply try turning off the music until the student is sitting back down. 

You will have to play with this a little and come up with a strategy that can be consistent and effective. 

Just remember, this is not like a magic wand.  As with any strategy it takes time and teaching.  But once they understand, it can be one of the most effective classroom management strategies in your toolbox.

To get you started, I spent hours on YouTube looking for some appropriate songs that would go with many common subjects taught in Math, ELA, Science, and Social Studies.

I have assembled over 175 links in this spreadsheet that will serve as an awesome quick reference. Download it for free by clicking the button below.

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I'M CHRISTA JOY MY MISSION IS TO GIVE PARENTS AND TEACHERS THE TOOLS THEY NEED IN ORDER TO FEEL EFFECTIVE AND CONFIDENT TEACHING EVEN THE MOST CHALLENGING OF STUDENTS.

Harmonising Abilities: Effective Strategies for Teaching Music to Students with Learning Disabilities

Table of Contents:

Strategies & Proactive Steps

• Methods & Theories

Benefits of Music Intervention

Music is a universal language that transcends boundaries and brings people together. For students with learning disabilities, it isn’t just an art form; it’s an avenue for expression, therapy, and learning. Research shows that music can play a crucial role in special education, aiding students in acquiring specific skills and improving their overall well-being.

With the right approach, teaching music to students with learning disabilities can unlock doors of expression, creativity, and understanding that other teaching methods might miss. 

This article delves deep into teaching music to students with special needs, exploring techniques, methods, challenges, and the benefits of music intervention.

Teaching music to students with learning disabilities requires a fine blend of patience, innovation, and adaptability. Here are some actionable steps and advice for educators and caregivers.

Personalised Learning Plans : Recognise that every student is unique. Create tailored learning plans that cater to individual needs. This could mean selecting specific instruments that align with a student’s motor skills or choosing songs that resonate with their experiences. Observe which sensory method resonates most with a student and tweak your lessons accordingly.

Begin by assessing the student’s musical knowledge, preferences, and strengths. Create a learning plan tailored to their needs. Always be prepared to adjust your teaching approach. If a student seems more responsive to rhythm than melody, pivot your lesson to focus on percussion instruments or rhythm-based activities.

Incorporate Multiple Learning Modalities : Some students might be visual learners, while others might be auditory or kinesthetic learners. Use various teaching methods – from visual aids and hands-on instrument practice to rhythmic body movements.

Visual Aid : Incorporate visual tools like flashcards, diagrams, or even apps that provide visual feedback. For teaching pitch, use a chart that shows the rise and fall of notes, helping students visually connect the concept of high and low pitches.

Establish Trust : Before teaching occurs, students must trust their educators. Building this bond is paramount, allowing students to feel safe and understood.

Invest time in getting to know your students. Understand their likes, dislikes, strengths, and challenges.

If a student seems particularly anxious one day, spend a few minutes chatting and discussing their favourite song or artist instead of diving straight into lessons. This can ease them into the learning space.

Set Achievable Goal : Remember, it’s not a race. Every student progresses at their own pace. Break down the music lessons into bite-sized, achievable tasks, celebrating every little success.

Continually reassess goals. As students progress, challenges that once seemed impossible become accessible, and goals need to evolve in tandem.

Interactive Learning : Engage students in interactive activities. This could be in group sessions where they create music together or through games that teach musical concepts. Interactive learning is often more effective than traditional methods, especially for students with attention challenges.

There are numerous apps and software designed to teach music. Some of these are specially tailored for students with special needs. Leveraging these tools can provide a more engaging and interactive learning experience.

Introduce Repitition : Break lessons into smaller segments and revisit them each session. Repetition doesn’t have to be monotonous. Turn it into a game or challenge to keep students engaged. If you’re teaching a specific song, revisit its chorus multiple times within a lesson, and then start each new lesson with that same chorus.

Small Wins & Regular Feedback : Recognising and celebrating small milestones is essential. Whether mastering a new note, playing a song without errors, or simply showing improvement in rhythm, every minor achievement is a step forward. Continuous constructive feedback encourages students to push their boundaries.

Patience and Persistence : Teaching to students with learning disabilities requires patience. There might be days of slow progress, but the key is to remain persistent, keeping the ultimate goal in mind: opening the magical world of music to every learner, irrespective of their challenges.

By keeping these strategies in mind and always being open to adaptation and innovation, music education can be a transformative journey for students with learning disabilities, shining a light on their inherent potential and the melodies within.

Different Methods

The world of music education offers a plethora of methodologies, each designed with specific goals and target audiences in mind. When teaching students with learning disabilities, these methods become significantly vital. They’re tailored and flexible and employ unique strategies to make music more accessible and beneficial to these students.

• Gordon’s Music Learning Theory : Developed by Edwin E. Gordon, this theory emphasises auditory learning. It’s rooted in the belief that music and language are closely intertwined. Encouraging students to recognise patterns in music, much like spoken language, aids in nurturing their musical aptitude. This method can be especially effective for students with learning disabilities as it taps into their innate musical potential rather than cognitive challenges. This method emphasises the importance of audiation, or the ability to hear and comprehend music even when it’s not playing. Through pattern recognition and sequential music learning, students develop a deeper understanding.
• Start with aural/oral experiences before transitioning to symbolic or written ones. Use familiar songs to teach new concepts.
• Keep the focus on “hearing” the music internally. This internal audiation process is crucial.
• Play a familiar song and then stop it midway. Ask the student to continue the song in their mind. After some time, play the song again and see how closely their internal continuation matched it.
• Carabo-Cone Method : This method is all about body movement. Created by Rhoda Bernard, the Carabo-Cone method involves using body movement to teach music. Correlating physical movement to musical rhythms provides students, especially children, with a multi-sensory learning experience. For students with disabilities, this can be transformative, allowing them to express themselves through movement and better understand musical concepts. Focusing on body movement and emotions, this method helps students relate to music on a personal level. They’re encouraged to express how music makes them feel through dance or movement.
• Use activities that allow students to express their feelings about music through movement.
• It’s not about the precision of the movement but the emotion conveyed. Make sure the student feels safe and not judged.
• Play a piece of music that shifts in tempo or mood. Allow students to move or dance freely as they interpret these shifts, focusing on their emotional connection to the music.
• Kodaly Approach : Hailing from Hungary, the Kodaly approach is a sequential method of teaching music. It begins with more straightforward songs and concepts, progressively moving to more complex musical ideas. The gradual learning curve can be particularly effective for students with specific learning disabilities, providing them with a sense of accomplishment at every stage. Using symbols and a syllable system makes it easier for students with learning disabilities to grasp complex musical concepts. The inclusion of hand signs, singing, and games makes learning fun and engaging.
• Use hand signs, syllables, and folk songs to teach musical concepts. Begin lessons with songs the student is already familiar with.
• This method is cumulative, meaning each step builds on the last. Ensure mastery at each level before moving on.
• Introduce the concept of pitch using the familiar “Do-Re-Mi” song, associating each syllable with a hand sign and its place in the musical scale.
• Organise activities where movements are coordinated with musical cues.
• This method emphasises the idea that movement can enhance musical understanding. The focus should be on fluidity and responsiveness to musical changes.
• Play a song with varying tempos. Encourage students to walk, jog, or run in response to the song’s pace.

While the journey of teaching music lessons to children with learning disabilities can be rewarding, it is not without challenges. Some students struggle with concentration, while others struggle to understand musical concepts. Being aware of these challenges is the first step to addressing them effectively.

• Motor Skills : Some students might face challenges with motor skills, making it hard for them to play specific instruments. Fine motor skills, crucial for instruments like the piano or guitar, might be a hurdle.

Adapt instruments or teaching methods to cater to student’s physical needs. This might mean using lighter instruments or those that require less skill. Seek out specialised instruments designed for those with physical challenges.

• Sensory Overload : For some students,, a music class can be overwhelming. The array of sounds from multiple instruments and voices can lead to sensory overload.

Limit the number of stimuli in the learning environment. This could mean minimising background noise or using only one instrument at a time. Be observant. Provide a quiet break or change the activity if a student appears overwhelmed.

• Communication Barriers : Communicating complex musical concepts can be daunting. Understanding and articulating their thoughts can pose an added layer of difficulty for students with language or speech challenges.

Use alternative communication methods, such as visual aids or sign language, to enhance understanding. Pay close attention to non-verbal cues, often giving insights into a student’s feelings or understanding. If explaining a musical concept verbally is ineffective, use colour-coded notes or visual rhythm tools to aid comprehension.

• Individualised Attention: Every student is unique. One-size-fits-all approaches often fail.
• Keep class sizes small or offer one-on-one sessions. This allows for tailored lessons that cater to each student’s unique learning style.
• If a student struggles with rhythm, spend additional time with percussive instruments like drums before transitioning to melodic ones.
• Resource Limitations: Specialised equipment or tools might be unavailable or too costly.
• Seek grants, community donations, or partnerships with local businesses. A little financial aid can go a long way in procuring essential resources.
• Concentration Issues: Many students with learning disabilities have difficulty maintaining sustained attention. This might manifest as restlessness, easy distractibility, or difficulty following instructions in a music class.

Therapeutic Value : Music therapy has been shown to alleviate anxiety and improve mood among students with learning disabilities. Integrate music therapy sessions with regular lessons. The combination can enhance emotional and cognitive development.

Improved Motor Skills : Playing instruments can enhance fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Engage in activities that involve both hands or rhythmic coordination between hands and feet. Remember that motor skill improvement is gradual. Celebrate progress, not perfection. Hand drums can be excellent for students with limited finger dexterity, as they involve broader hand movements.

Enhanced Cognitive Abilities : Music stimulates various brain parts, helping students improve memory, concentration, and verbal competence. Use repetitive melodies and rhythms to enhance memory and information retention. Simple, catchy tunes can act as mnemonic devices, helping students remember concepts beyond just music.

Social Skills Development : Group music lessons can foster social interaction and help students with special needs develop communication skills. Peer interaction can help students feel a sense of belonging and improve their teamwork skills—Organise group sessions where students can collaborate, communicate, and create music.

Social Integration : Music has an innate ability to connect people, transcending words or actions.

Organise group sessions or ensemble practices. This not only teaches teamwork but also creates a sense of belonging.

Emotional Development : Music allows students with special needs a channel to express their emotions, helping in emotional regulation and self-expression. Encourage students to use music to express their feelings, whether by playing instruments or singing.

Boosted Self-Esteem : Every musical milestone, big or small, is a testament to a student’s dedication and hard work and helps them foster confidence and self-esteem.

Teaching music to students with learning disabilities is a journey filled with challenges but replete with rewards. As a teacher, parent, or caregiver, your role in facilitating this journey is invaluable. While specific techniques and strategies can aid the process, the patience, understanding, and love you bring make a real difference. Every note played and every song sung is a testament to the resilience and potential of these unique individuals. Celebrate their achievements, no matter how small, and watch them bloom in the world of music.

About the Author: Ewa Bukowska

Ewa is an education practitioner focusing on technology adoption to support the daily lives and education of neurodiverse children and young people.

Ewa has worked in different settings on the verge of education and technology and is passionate about creating accessible and inclusive learning environments.

Ewa is also a SEND Programme Manager at Ignite Hubs, a UK-based charity, where she develops programming resources and offerings for children and young people with Additional Learning Needs.

Ewa’s passion for education was sparked by her older sister in their teenage years who encouraged her to tutor children in their neighbourhood. She is also a younger sister to a brother with Down Syndrome.

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Music Education for Students with Special Needs

• David Graham Farnsworth
• Categories : Inclusion strategies for mainstreamed classrooms
• Tags : Special ed information for teachers & parents

Curricular and Classroom Modifications

Music teachers instructing special learners must implement special teaching strategies and acquire skills in selecting and choosing the proper resource materials for the classroom. Teaching special learners requires patience, intelligence and an understanding of the various student disabilities. It is important to remember that in regards to educational needs, special learners with mild disabilities are more similar than different. Talk to the special learner’s classroom teacher and examine his Individual Education Plan (IEP). (Legally, a music teacher has to follow a child’s IEP specifications like seating the student upfront, extra exam time or other accommodations.) Since the subject of music requires so much comprehension and participation, the teacher must be experienced, gifted and realize appropriate behavioral interventions to produce successful class outcomes. Preparations must be made for curricular and classroom modifications. Multisensory music can be employed as a means for learning facilitation, as well as for reinforcing the achievements of special learners.

While a music curriculum is a valuable school discipline by itself, the feeling, visuals, movement and listening it promotes, fosters psychomotor skills and sensory perception. Singing might trigger conversation, thoughts and feelings for a normally inarticulate child, in addition to help with breathing. Music advances developmental skills for cognitive, affective and psychomotor functions. These are fundamental to master basics in all other academic subjects. The Role of Music in the Education of Special Learners observes: “Unlike activities dependent on verbal interaction, music rarely fails to communicate with every child.” Music teachers must adapt their curriculum, materials and activities to enhance individual performance and encourage at least partial participation in class. Use instruction to supplement basic skills development with an alternate means of reinforcement and refinement. Due to the resourceful and flexible aspects of music, even a single activity allows children of varying abilities to take part.

Effective Hands-on Learning

Remain cognizant that every student learns differently. The emotional immaturity and lack of communication skills of behaviorally challenged students can mask the reality of their high intelligence. It does not mean they don’t understand. Understanding the special learner’s own particular style of communication reigns paramount. Learning hands-on (kinesthetically) generally is effective for most special learners – one simple instruction at a time. If presenting the learner a new idea, give pieces of information all at once to assess comprehension, otherwise he might not see the reason for the activity.

Show how music education can enhance the student’s life. The intent is to master skills and concepts at the appropriate functioning level. Music helps the special learner interact with the community better. The music teacher is a member of a professional community taking part in the decision-making efforts of inclusion: a team who coordinates each child’s efforts to communicate problems and progress. Attendance at special education workshops helps. Foremost, the instructor disregards society’s and various professionals’ labeling of the learning disabled. Overlooking these labels is important when creating instructional strategies. Individual basic skill development inventory is the best way to form the foundation for individual goals.

Implementing and Adapting to Reinforce Music Skills

A good lesson plan idea that helps to advance the capability of learners to decode four-beat rhythms is a 20 to 40 minute reinforcement exercise. Although designed for elementary school students, the lesson is applicable to various age groups. The objective involves students writing the decoded four-beat rhythm on the chalkboard or white board after hearing it – using eighth notes, quarter notes and quarter rests. Materials require only the chalkboard and chalk or white board and wipe-off markers. On the board, the teacher divides a lengthy rectangle into four equal squares. A class member volunteers to go to the chalkboard. The instructor beats a four-beat rhythm with rhythm sticks, after telling the class and volunteer to listen. When repeating the rhythm, the volunteer tries to decode the rhythm by designating a quarter rest, quarter note or pair of eighth notes in the square. If the learner cannot guess the beat, then he may ask a member of the class for help. Applaud when the note is correctly written. If he struggles with the answer, the teacher should play it again or ask another student to assist.

If the chosen special needs student has a hearing disability, you could adapt by using a large bongo or bass drum to beat out the pattern so that they can feel the vibrations on the floor. If they have a physical disability and say are in a wheel chair, then the teacher could give them flashcards to lay across their laps or to hang on the board instead. For those who are more visual and kinesthetic learners, the teacher could write the rhythm on the board or use large rhythmic display cards, and the student could clap, tap or play the rhythm on a percussive instrument. Music can easily be modified for various learning limitations.

Other class exercises or suggestions for adaptation and participation:

• Playing easy instruments like bells, whistles, drums, triangles, castanets, rhythm sticks and other rhythm instruments can reinforce student achievement.
• Clapping and singing may achieve the same.
• To increase comprehension, use display cards that spell out the musical task you want the student to master. Demonstrate the activity while you point to the card. Then ask the learner to attempt the exercise.
• Let a class member choose a song to sing, and accompany it with instruments or dance.
• Let a student pick an instrument to accompany a song.
• Let the student conduct a song.
• Put together a talent show or a “Name That Tune” game.
• Find a musical activity the student carries out well and let him develop leadership.
• Have students perform musical tasks separately – read lyrics or clap a rhythm.
• If teaching a new song, students can join in on the refrain. Experiment with voice range.
• Use brilliantly colored visual aids to denote tempo, rhythm, words and notes.

Adaptions an Ongoing Process

Based on the ever changing requirements of individual learners, adaptions are an ongoing process. IEP examination and special education consultations provide learning styles, skills, needs and strengths of special learners. Even students with physical and cognitive impairments can master music skills and concepts with effective instruction. Thus, their classroom experience reaches beyond solely entertainment purposes. It is vital to realize the numerous strategies employed for instructional planning: curricular, behavioral, environmental, presentation, motivational and organizational. Explore different teaching methods that involve increased repetition, practice, hands-on exercises and one-on-one attention for teaching special learners in the music classroom.

• Essortment.com: Teaching Music to Handicapped Kids, (2011) - http://www.essortment.com/teaching-music-handicapped-kids-50315.html
• Teachers.net: Lesson Plans #2183. Who Wants to Be a Musician?, Jacskson, Jill, (2011) - http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/2183.html
• The Role of Music in the Education of Special Learners - http://people.uwec.edu/rasarla/research/mtorg/Adaptive_Music/Role_Music.pdf
• TEACHING Exceptional Children Plus: An Adaption Tool for Teaching Music, McDowell, Carol, (2010) - http://journals.cec.sped.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1699&context=tecplus&sei-redir=1#search=%22teaching%20music%20special%20ed%22

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Self-contained special education music classes: tips and resources.

• communicate with special education teachers and other staff and seek out as much information as possible about individual students' strengths, needs, and interests
• build relationships with paras, aids, and other staff members
• provide opportunities for students to share areas of strength in class
• use lots of visual cues
• give time for exploration
• build in lots of repetition and structure 
• Literature-based lessons: here is a post with some of my favorite lesson plans using children's books
• Movement with music: give students props like scarves, ribbon wands, etc, give them time to move freely with the music, have them mirror you, have students take turns coming up with movements for the rest of the class to copy, move on the beat
• Instruments with music: simple instruments like rhythm sticks and hand drums are great for this- have students take turns playing a simple rhythm ostinato or steady beat with the music
• Singing games: games like Apple Tree , Bluebird , Pass the Pumpkin , Acka Backa , etc 
• Echo and call and response songs

2 comments :

This was very helpful information; thank you so much for sharing!

So glad it was helpful- best wishes on your school year!

Hands-On Activities for Special Education Students

There are many different types of activities that can be done with special education students to help them learn. Many times, these students need more concrete and hands-on activities to help them understand concepts.

What are Some Teaching Strategies for Special Education Students?

Every student has unique needs, and what works for one may not work for another. However, there are some general strategies that can be effective for many students with special needs. One important strategy is to provide clear and concise instructions. This means breaking down tasks into small, manageable steps and using language that the student can understand. It can also be helpful to use visual aids such as pictures or diagrams to accompany verbal instructions. Another useful strategy is to allow ample time for the student to complete a task. This means giving them plenty of time to process information and avoiding rushing them through an activity. It can also be helpful to provide breaks throughout the lesson so the student can take a break from concentrating if needed. It’s also important to be flexible in your approach and be willing to adjust your plans as necessary based on how the student is responding. Some days may require more or less review than others, and it’s important to go at the student’s pace rather than trying to stick rigidly to a plan.

What are Examples of Hand-on Activities?

There are countless examples of hands-on activities that can be beneficial for children and adults alike. Here are just a few examples:

What are Some Common Hands-on Activities for Special Children?

Here are some ideas for hands-on activities that can be used with special education students: 1. Use manipulatives when teaching math concepts. Manipulatives are objects that can be touched and moved around to help explain a concept. For example, use blocks or counters to teach addition and subtraction. This will allow the student to physically see and touch the numbers they are working with.

2. Get creative with art projects. Art is a great way for students to express themselves and it can also be used as a tool to teach academic concepts. For example, have students create a collage to represent fractions or use clay to sculpt three-dimensional shapes.

5. Painting – Like modeling clay, painting is another activity that can help students understand concepts like colors and mixing colors together. It’s also a great way to encourage creativity and self-expression.

6. puzzles – Puzzles are not only great for building problem-solving skills, but they can also be very calming and relaxing for students. If you have some extra time, try working on a puzzle as a class! 7. sensory bins – Sensory bins are perfect for kids who need some extra tactile input. You can fill them with anything from rice to shaving cream to water beads. Just make sure you supervise closely so that the kids don’t end up eating any of the materials!

How Do You Engage Students With Special Needs?

4. Encourage social interaction among classmates. It’s important for all students – including those with special needs –to feel like they belong in the classroom community. Help facilitate socialization by organizing group work or project-based learning opportunities where everyone can contribute equally.

Fun Activities for High School Special Education Students

It can be difficult to find activities that are both fun and appropriate for high school special education students. However, there are a number of options available if you know where to look. Here are some ideas for fun activities for high school special education students:

Fun Activities for Special Education Students at Home

Social skills activities for special needs students.

Special needs students often have a difficult time socializing with their peers. However, there are many activities that can help these students develop the social skills they need to be successful. Here are a few social skills activities for special needs students:

Fun Activities for Special Education Students Online

Teaching students with autism through hands on activities- special needs.

Special education students often benefit from hands-on activities that help them to learn and retain information. In this blog post, we share some ideas for hands-on activities that can be used with special education students. These activities can be used to teach a variety of subjects, including math, science, reading, and writing.

Dwight Hughes Sr

I am Dwight Hughes Sr., your specialist in Special Education and Preschooler topics at EduEdify.com. Holding a PhD in Early Childhood Education, I bring a depth of knowledge and experience to guide parents and educators in nurturing the younger minds. My mission is to share evidence-based insights, cultivated from years of academic and field research, to help every child flourish during their formative years.

Teaching Music to Students with Special Needs: Strategies for Teaching an Adaptive Music Class

by Mallory Merkel

Date Posted: May 13, 2019

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Mallory Merkel is a Vandoren JUNO Ambassador and band director at  Slinger Middle School in Slinger, WI.

It is becoming more common that secondary music educators are asked to take on a class of special education students. This can be cause for some anxiety as it may be difficult to know how to go about teaching an adaptive music class. A number of years ago I was tasked with developing a class specifically for secondary students in a self-contained special education setting that would meet daily for music instruction. Incorporating students with specific learning and developmental needs into a school music program is something I have been able to do successfully since then. A self-contained class such as this can have a wide range of diagnoses and abilities: emotional behavioral disorders; the autism spectrum; and severe disabilities that cause students to be wheelchair bound. These are some strategies I have found to be most effective when going about teaching students with special needs.

Get to know your Special Education team!

The Special Education team in your school is your most valuable resource. Often, the aides that work with these students have been with them for multiple years and know them very well as individuals and can give you insight into their behaviors and things that work well for them in the education setting.  Special Education teachers have the experience of creating lessons specifically for the students on their caseload and can also provide you with ideas and approaches to use.  Aides will almost always accompany students in a self-contained class and can help provide a one-on-one experience for each student.  Learn what kinds of adaptations and accommodations are helpful (or possibly even required) by reading each student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Getting to know everyone who is involved in the Special Education department is the first step in getting to know your students, their needs, and their abilities.

Adapt what you already do to fit the needs of the students

As a band director, teaching music with instruments is what I know best and am naturally most comfortable doing. I teach the basics of rhythm and note reading with world drumming, and move to simple note reading with mallet instruments and Orff arrangements. Boomwhackers are always a fun way to explore and play along with some classical music when learning about composers. Some students are more able than others when it comes to how much playing they can do during class, so finding an instrument that will allow them to participate and contribute is what is most important. This may mean using a shaker or tambourine to simply keep the beat with the rest of the class. Color coding notes with corresponding locations on instruments can help get a student playing. A unit on recorders that uses a limited range of notes can be a great way to work on fine motor skills.  

Be prepared and be predictable

Often, students with special needs rely heavily on a schedule.  Even the slightest upset to the schedule can have the tendency to throw off their entire day. Establishing a routine in class, keeping sensory overload to a minimum, and having a space free of distractions will help students focus. Using visuals to signal what is coming or to aid in understanding a musical idea will help students process. It can be a challenge to know if a lesson you have in mind will work with any particular group. Certain sounds may be a cause for upset, or a lesson just may not engage in the way you hoped it would. Sometimes by trial and error you will stumble on what is really effective with students with various needs. When you find activities that work well for a class, have them accessible for the times you may need to change your plans at the last minute!

"Present ideas in a number of ways to reach the various learning styles present in the class." - Mallory Merkel

Design a music class for all.

The approach in teaching an adaptive music class will not be the same as that of a band class. These students may struggle with fine motor development, social skills, or hand-eye coordination. Music may be a means for students to achieve non-musical goals. Modifications to the way an instrument would typically be played can help the student be able to participate more fully. Limiting mallet instruments to one mallet at first while working on simple melodies, allowing the use of both hands to get holes covered on a recorder (as independent movement of fingers may be limited) while working on B-A-G melodies, and helping students learn how to play by practicing movements with them hand-over-hand all can be ways to get them making music.  Basic rhythmic literacy can be achieved with the use of Kodály syllables. Music games that promote cooperation and coordination can be a great way to get students moving and working together. They also may need more time and repetitions to learn, so going slowly with lots and lots of patience may be necessary. Adaptive music should enrich the lives of students with special needs and give them the opportunity to experience, create, and grow through the use of music.

I have found teaching students with special needs to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my teaching career. There is so much joy to be found in giving these students an opportunity that may otherwise be overlooked. Small moments can be leaps and bounds for students with special needs--from the initial excitement of being able to play an instrument to the first time a group that struggled with cooperation takes it upon themselves to play an Orff arrangement with no adult direction. I have incorporated self-contained students into my regular band for performances as well as held small concerts to show off what we have been doing in adaptive music for the rest of the student body. Students with special needs want to be able to be like their peers who do not have labels, and our job is to provide them with the best possible musical experience. Music offers us the chance to bring our students together in a way that no other discipline can.

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8 Fun And Fulfilling Virtual Activities For Special Needs Students

If you have a student with special needs in your class, virtual activities can be fun, engaging, and beneficial. Through virtual activities, special needs students can improve their social skills, self-regulation, cognitive development, and language skills.

This article will explain the various virtual activities that are suitable for special needs students, as well as offer tips on how to engage these students in a virtual setting. Whether it’s through music therapy or creative writing, get ready to explore how virtual activities can bring special needs students joy, stimulation, and success.

Simple Virtual Activities for Special Needs Students

Virtual activities are a great way to keep special needs students engaged and entertained while learning from the comfort of their homes. While there are many complex activities available online, we offer a selection of simple activities that can easily be implemented and enjoyed by special needs students.

One activity that special needs students may enjoy is audio meditation. Audio meditation is a great way for special needs students to relax, focus, and de-stress. Audio meditation can be as simple as asking the student to pause, close their eyes, and listen to peaceful music or a guided voice. As they listen to the audio they can focus on their breathing and allow their mind to relax.

Another great activity is an interactive story. Interactive stories allow special needs students to explore and engage with stories, characters, and worlds in a safe environment. By engaging with the characters and scenes in the story, the students are able to practice their reading and comprehension skills while having fun.

One more fun activity is drawing. Drawing can provide a great outlet for students to express their creativity while developing their fine motor skills. Students can draw a variety of things like simple shapes, animals, or even people. They can then use the drawing as inspiration for a story, a poem, or even a song.

Overall, there are a variety of simple virtual activities available for special needs students. These activities are engaging, fun, and can be easily implemented. By giving special needs students time to enjoy these activities, teachers can help to provide them with an enjoyable experience while also engaging with their studies in unique and creative ways.

1. Virtual Tours

One fun and engaging activity for special needs students is to explore the world with virtual tours. With virtual tours, students can travel to places they may not be able to go physically. This can open up their minds to new cultures and experiences without ever leaving the safety and comfort of home.

Depending on the student’s particular needs, virtual tours can be tailored to the individual with audio descriptions, photos, and videos of specific landmarks and destinations. Virtual tours can be educational and exciting, providing an interactive learning experience for special needs students.

Read also: Special Needs Kids Activities That Will Keep Them entertained!

2. Music Therapy

Music therapy is an incredibly powerful and fun activity for special needs students. Through the use of music and creativity, music therapy can provide an outlet for those with different physical and developmental needs.

With an experienced music therapist, special needs students can learn how to read music, play instruments, and write their own songs. Music therapy also helps to improve their communication and social skills, as they partake in musical activities with their peers.

Music therapy can be adapted to work in virtual sessions, allowing students to receive the same benefits from home. Music therapy is a great way for special needs students to express themselves and have fun.

Read also: Effects of Music Therapy for Special Needs Teens with Autism

3. Creative Writing

Creative writing can be a fun and fulfilling activity for special needs students. From writing short stories and poems to creating plays and scripts, students can use their imagination to express themselves in unique and creative ways.

Engaging in creative writing challenges can help students improve their communication skills, allowing them to express their ideas in a creative and organized way.

By providing guidance, special needs students can find a creative outlet to express themselves, while discovering their own strengths and interests. Creative writing activities can provide a sense of accomplishment, building confidence and self-esteem.

4. Sensory Stimulation

For special needs students, sensory stimulation can be an important part of their learning process. Virtual activities can provide a safe and engaging way to help students explore and express their sensory needs.

From interactive art programs to sensory-rich virtual reality simulations, there are plenty of options for students to explore and find what works for them. The  use of technology-based activities can provide the opportunity for students to learn and explore in a secure, supervised environment. By providing activities that appeal to their individual sensory needs, special needs students are able to engage in activities that are stimulating and enjoyable for them.

5. Music and Movement Games

Music and movement games can be a great way to engage special needs students in virtual activities. Games that combine music and physical movement can help to promote physical activity, mental stimulation, and stress relief.

Fun and interactive music-based games can also help encourage problem-solving and social interaction. Popular activities include virtual dance parties, musical “Simon Says” activities, and singing karaoke.

These activities can easily be adapted to different learning styles and can be tailored to the individual student’s interests and skills. Music and movement games can provide students with hours of fun and assist in furthering their development.

6. Virtual Field Trips

Virtual field trips are an excellent way to make learning fun and engaging for special needs students. These trips can take students to locations around the world, allowing them to explore different cultures and environments without ever leaving their homes.

With the help of modern technologies like virtual reality, virtual field trips provide an interactive, immersive experience that can facilitate real learning and understanding. Programs such as Google Expeditions, zSpace, and Discovery Education offer plenty of opportunities for students to explore historical sites or visit different countries and landmarks.

These field trips can be tailored to the individual needs of the student, making them a great way to foster an understanding of the world and broaden horizons.

7. Interactive Storytelling

Interactive storytelling is an especially fulfilling activity for special needs students. This type of activity is a great way for students to engage in creative expression, practice their communication skills, and connect with others. It also encourages problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration.

By collaborating with peers and creating stories, students with special needs can work together to create truly unique tales. Interactive storytelling can also be a great way to teach social and emotional skills such as storytelling, active listening, and sharing.

With this activity, special needs students have a fun and safe space to practice different skills, develop their confidence, and feel connected to the world around them.

8. Online Art Projects

Online art projects are a great way to engage special needs students and provide them with an opportunity to explore their creative side.

There are many online platforms that provide lessons and activities to help special needs students learn how to create and express themselves through art.

These activities can be tailored to the student’s ability level, allowing them to work at their own pace. Art projects can also help improve fine motor skills and allow students to build confidence in their own artistic abilities. With the right tools, any student can learn to express themselves in a safe and fun environment.

Benefits of Virtual Activities for Special Needs Students

Virtual activities are becoming increasingly popular among special needs students as they offer a fun and engaging way to engage in activities with peers.

Virtual activities can offer many benefits to special needs students that are beneficial to their learning and development.

Not only can virtual activities provide students with an interesting and stimulating environment, but it can also provide them with the opportunity to work on their social and communication skills with peers.

One of the biggest benefits of virtual activities for special needs students is the ability to access them from anywhere in the world. This gives students more freedom and flexibility when it comes to learning and engaging with peers.

It also gives parents and teachers more control over the activities that the student participates in, which helps to ensure the student is participating in activities that are appropriate and beneficial to them.

Another key benefit of virtual activities is that they are often designed specifically with special needs students in mind. This allows the activities to be tailored to the individual needs of each student, which helps to ensure that the activity is engaging and meaningful.

Furthermore, virtual activities often allow students to work on personal goals, such as developing better problem-solving and communication skills, which can greatly improve the quality of their learning experience.

Finally, virtual activities are a great way for special needs students to practice the skills they are learning in school or in therapy. By engaging in activities with their peers in a virtual setting, students can better understand and practice the skills they are learning, which can help to prepare them for real-world situations or other activities.

Engaging in activities with peers provides students with an opportunity to build relationships and develop interpersonal skills, which can help them to feel more supported and secure in their environment.

Overall, virtual activities are a great way for special needs students to engage in activities with peers that are both fun and fulfilling. Not only do they provide students with an interesting and stimulating environment, but they also allow them to develop their social and communication skills and practice the skills they are learning in school or therapy.

Virtual activities are an ideal way for special needs students to stay connected with their peers and develop life-long skills.

1. Improve Social Skills

Today’s technology offers a variety of virtual activities that are fun and fulfilling for special needs students. These activities can help special needs students develop social skills, such as communicating through text, video conferencing, and interactive educational games.

Virtual activities such as educational games, conversation groups, and virtual field trips can provide special needs students with a stimulating, enjoyable learning experience. Activities such as these can help special needs students to build stronger communication and socialization skills.

Participating in these activities can also help special needs students to better understand and relate to peers, leading to more meaningful, socially meaningful interactions.

2. Promote Self-Regulation

One important way to ensure that special needs students have an engaging and rewarding virtual learning experience is to promote self-regulation strategies. Self-regulation builds a student’s ability to manage their emotions, behaviors, and attention.

These are all essential skills for successful virtual learning. To promote self-regulation, teachers can use a variety of strategies in their virtual classrooms, such as providing designated online working space, setting short-term goals and achievable tasks, offering frequent feedback and positive reinforcement, and providing breaks and relaxation activities.

With the right guidance, special needs students can learn to self-regulate while having fun and feeling fulfilled with their virtual learning experience.

Read also: Implementing Special Needs Education: Essential Strategies

3. Encourage Cognitive Development

In addition to providing much-needed social interaction, virtual activities can also help special needs students develop their cognitive skills.

By engaging in activities that challenge them to think critically, work creatively, and problem solve — all while having fun — special needs students can gain valuable cognitive skills that can prepare them for future opportunities.

This can include activities such as playing educational games, engaging in virtual field trips, completing virtual puzzles and mazes, and even having discussions related to the material they are learning. All of these activities can help special needs students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as creative and analytical abilities.

Read also: Special Needs Moms: Why We’re Stronger Than You Think

4. Reinforce Language Skills

Language skills are essential for success in school and life. Fortunately, virtual activities for special needs students not only can be fun and satisfying but can also help to reinforce language skills.

Utilizing virtual interactive tools such as video chat, interactive whiteboards, and online storybooks can help bring language alive for students. Games like Mad Libs and interactive activities like virtual field trips can help engage students and make learning enjoyable.

Parents and caregivers can also find online resources to create personalized activities for their students with special needs to help reinforce language learning.

With the help of these virtual activities, special needs students can find joy in learning and practicing their language skills in a safe, comfortable, and fun environment.

Tips for Engaging Special Needs Students Virtually

Engaging special needs students in virtual activities can be a challenge, especially when dealing with limited technology tools and resources. However, with a few tips and tricks, educators can create fun and fulfilling experiences for their students.

The first step in creating an effective virtual activity for special needs students is to set realistic goals. This can help provide structure and focus for the activity and will help the educator stay on track with the objectives. Make sure to consider the students’ abilities and needs when setting the goals, as this will help ensure the expectations are met.

The second step is to make the activity enjoyable. Choose activities that the students will likely find enjoyable, such as interactive games or creative projects. It’s also important to make sure the activity is accessible for all students; for example, if incorporating visuals, make sure that all students will be able to view them properly.

Make sure to provide adequate support and guidance throughout the activity. This can include providing verbal instructions, offering encouraging words, and having more experienced students help their peers. It can also be beneficial to have a live “coach” or mentor available to offer assistance.

Creating fun and fulfilling virtual activities for special needs students doesn’t have to be difficult. By setting realistic goals, making the activity enjoyable, and providing guidance and support, educators can successfully engage their students virtually.

1. Incorporate Visuals

When engaging in virtual activities with special needs students, incorporating visuals can help create a more engaging and fun experience.

Visuals like images and videos can help students with special needs better understand the activity, as well as help them stay focused and involved. Visuals can also make it easier for the teacher to explain instructions and give feedback.

There are a variety of visuals that you can choose from, like slideshows, infographics, and interactive tools. They can also create visuals of their own to help reinforce the virtual experience.

2. Keep Sessions Short

When planning virtual activities for special needs students, it’s important to keep each virtual session short. This helps to maintain the students’ enthusiasm and focus, as well as ensure that their energy levels are kept at a manageable level. Aim for sessions of around 15 to 20 minutes for maximum results.

Physical activity breaks should be included as often as possible, allowing the students to move around and relieve pent-up tension. Exercise is also known to release endorphins, which can further help to increase engagement and motivation.

3. Establish a Routine

Establishing a routine is one of the most important steps for special needs students in order to have a successful virtual learning experience. If possible, create a schedule that keeps your child’s schedule similar to their normal school day.

Aim to have dedicated time for completing schoolwork, taking breaks, and participating in extra-curricular activities. This will help your child establish a regular routine, create clarity and structure, and give them something to look forward to.

Providing a consistent space and dedicated supplies for virtual learning can help students stay organized and focused.

4. Create a Positive Environment

Creating a positive environment for special needs students is essential to the success of virtual activities. Having the right tools, such as technology, relaxation, and sensory activities, can help your students feel comfortable and supported.

Encourage your students to take breaks throughout their day and to take part in regular physical activities. Setting healthy boundaries and creating a space of trust and respect can help your students feel confident and safe in their virtual environment.

Providing positive reinforcement and meaningful rewards can help foster motivation and engagement. Finally, take time to connect with your students and listen to their needs.

These efforts will create an atmosphere of openness and collaboration that will help promote your virtual activities and bring them to life.

Final Thoughts

It is clear that virtual activities can be a fun and fulfilling way to provide learning opportunities for students with special needs. Not only can they benefit from the activities in terms of learning and development, but also in terms of social skills, self-regulation, and language skills.

While virtual learning is not the same as in-person learning, the tips to engage special needs students virtually can go a long way in fostering an efficient, fun learning environment. Virtual activities such as music and movement games, virtual field trips, interactive storytelling, and online art projects are just some of the many options that can be used to keep students with special needs engaged and challenged. With the right virtual activity, special needs students can receive the education they need while having fun at the same time.

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How Music Education Sharpens the Brain, Tunes Us Up for Life

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When Amy Richter was a little girl, her father often traveled for work. He often came home bearing gifts of music and record albums. They bonded while poring over all that vinyl, she recalls, exploring the world of music from classical and rock to bluegrass.

Richter’s love of music only grew as she got older and studied voice and piano. Diagnosed with dyslexia, she also found that music helped her cope with her learning disability. It helped her gain focus and confidence. That’s why she studied music therapy in college. She knows the power of music to supercharge our brains.

“Music really became the guiding force in my education and helped me to connect with other people, helping build confidence through performance, also helping with my mental health,” said Richter, who founded  Music Workshop , a free music curriculum designed to cultivate a love of music from a young age, that can help schools beef up their arts offerings on the cheap. Schools across the country, including hundreds in California, from Yuba City to San Diego, now use her program. “It really became a tool in my life to better myself.”

To be sure, aficionados of the arts have long argued that art transforms us, but in recent years, neuroscience has shown just how music can shape the architecture of the brain. This cognitive research illuminates the connection between music and learning and gives heft to longstanding arguments for the power of music education that are newly relevant in the wake of California’s Proposition 28, which sets aside money for arts education in schools.

“The K-12 grades are the years in which brain function is most rapidly evolving and information from all different types of learning and subjects is being processed and absorbed, including connections across what we might think of as different school subjects, but they are all connected in our developing brains,” said Giuliana Conti, director of education and equity for  Music Workshop , which is particularly popular at schools that often tap substitute teachers in an era of high teacher absences.

“Music education provides physical and auditory experiences that work like bridges for brain structures. As the brain processes musical sounds and body movements, neural pathways across different regions of the brain grow and strengthen. The more those pathways are activated, the more usable they become across time and other skill sets or learning experiences.”

Amid the ongoing crises in literacy and numeracy plaguing our schools and the enduring sting of pandemic learning loss, many arts advocates are pointing to music education as a way to boost executive functioning in the brain. This enhanced cognitive function, often coupled with a surge in well-being, may be the secret sauce that makes music education such an academic powerhouse, research suggests.  Music may prime the brain to learn.

“Music is this wonderful, holistic way of engaging almost everything that is important for education,” said Nina Kraus, a noted neuroscientist at Northwestern University who studies the biology of auditory learning, in a  webinar. “First of all, we know that the ingredients that are important in making music and the ones that are important for reading and literacy are the same ingredients. So when you’re strengthening your brain by making music, you’re strengthening your brain for language.”

Kraus, who grew up listening to her mother play the piano, is passionate about the impact of sound, ranging from the distracting to the sublime, from noise pollution to Puccini, on the brain. The gist of much of her research is how thoroughly sound shapes cognition. Music training, for example, sets up children’s brains to become better learners by enhancing the sound processing that underpins language, she said.

While we live in a visually oriented world, our brains are fundamentally wired for sound, she argues. Reading, for example, is a relatively new phenomenon in human history, while listening keenly for a sound, say a predator, is a primal impulse deeply embedded in the brain. Put simply, what we hear shapes who we are.

“Music really is the jackpot,” as Kraus, author of “ Of Sound Mind ,” puts it. She has conducted extensive research showing that music education helps boost test scores for low-income children.

Music also helps us manage  stress.   Perhaps that’s one reason that offering more music and arts classes is also associated with lower chronic absenteeism rates and higher attendance, research  suggests . Think of music education as lifting weights with your brain. It makes the whole apparatus stronger and healthier.

“Music is therapeutic because it helps us to regulate our emotions,” said Richter, who adds that a culturally relevant music curriculum can help engage a diverse student body. “It helps us to lower our cortisol levels. It helps promote relaxation. It helps us with focus and concentration. It also helps us with connection. Now more than ever, we know how important connection is, especially among our youth.”

In the post-pandemic era, these insights may well fuel the uptake of music classes in a state struggling with low test scores, but the implications for brain health actually go far beyond academic prowess and social-emotional well-being in childhood.

Indeed, early musical experiences may impart a lifelong neuroplasticity, Kraus has documented. Studies suggest that a 65-year-old musician has the neural activity of a 25-year-old non-musician. A 65-year-old who played music as a child but hasn’t touched an instrument in ages still has neural responses faster than a peer who never played music, although slower than those of a die-hard musician.

“What I would say to everyone who thinks about picking up an instrument: It’s never too late,” Richter said. “Even just practicing scales can help with cell regeneration. So I encourage adults to continue to learn music along the way, whether that’s picking up an instrument or listening to music, it’s always really important for brain development.”

Music pricks up our hearts and minds, as well as our ears. Children must persevere to master a piece of music and collaborate to perform it in the spotlight. They must learn focus, patience and grace under pressure. That kind of electrifying shared experience, working as a community, is something new to many of them, experts say.

“When music is more regularly incorporated as part of children’s everyday lives,” Conti said, “it can move the needle in their learning and development more effectively across many different parts of their lives: socially, emotionally, musically and academically.”

It’s the intangible effects of music education, the elements that can’t be reduced to data points and parameters, that strike Kraus as the most profound. Music builds a feeling of joy and a sense of belonging between musicians and their listeners, which is something that little else in our age of digital background noise can do.

“Music connects us, and it connects us in a way that hardly anything I know does, so it’s very, very important,” Kraus said. “We live in a very disconnected world. Depression, anxiety, alienation, the inability to focus, all of that is on the rise. Intolerance is on the rise. Music is a way to bring us together.”

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40 Facts About Elektrostal

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 01 Jun 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy , materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes , offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development .

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy , with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

Elektrostal's fascinating history, vibrant culture, and promising future make it a city worth exploring. For more captivating facts about cities around the world, discover the unique characteristics that define each city . Uncover the hidden gems of Moscow Oblast through our in-depth look at Kolomna. Lastly, dive into the rich industrial heritage of Teesside, a thriving industrial center with its own story to tell.

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Flag of Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia

• Moscow Oblast
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State Housing Inspectorate of the Moscow Region

Phone 8 (496) 575-02-20 8 (496) 575-02-20

Phone 8 (496) 511-20-80 8 (496) 511-20-80

Public administration near State Housing Inspectorate of the Moscow Region