Submitted by Amy Taylor, Illinois

Idea posted September 6, 2007

I have taught special needs children for the past two years (along with regular ed.) This upcoming year, I'll have six special needs classes: three autistic, two "life skills" (Down's Syndrome among other needs), and one severe/profound. Each class has at least six kids; one class this past year had 16 children!

I see the kids twice a week for 30 minutes. I have a routine that I follow with each group:

1. Opening Song - This song can be a soft song, a get-up-and-dance activity, or a warm-up song, and it stays the same throughout the year. It is a signal for the children that music has begun. I have used both classical music and fun music; it depends on the class.
2. Steady Beat Practice - Sometimes I combine the Steady Beat Practice with the opening song. I really like "Chimes Of Dunkirk" for this. One student in the lowest group really latched on to one of the songs. He would count to four with it. IT was his FAVE!
3. Action Song - A song that gives directions about marching, shaking hands, standing up, touching your (nose), etc.
4. Instrument Song - Give students a choice between two instruments. They thrive on choices, and it is usually one of their goals in their classroom. (Ask your teachers if they use board maker or some other sort of icon for choosing.)
*Be aware that with autistic children especially, noise is not good. Try instruments such as a guiro, cabasa, maraca, egg shaker, chimes, rain sticks, etc., and anything with texture, too! One year, the art teacher at my school did an activity with the classes on making rain sticks (that might be another idea). I made kazoos this past year. My higher functioning kids LOVED to use them in class, and it also helped their singing!
5. Rhythm Activity - depending on the level of ability of the class.
6. Song (with a book or language component) - Sequencing songs, rhyming songs, etc.
7. Sensory Activity - uses other forms of their senses. For instance, they loved when we'd do "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" and I made spider hats for them to wear, and a couple of sunshines for them to hold. When it rained, I pulled out a little water mister bottle, and sprayed in the air. SO FUN! They love Music K-8's version (from Music K-8, Vol. 15, No. 4), with the talking spider. :)
8. Dancing Activity - "The Hokey Pokey," "The Chicken Dance" (a favorite), beanbags or scarfs, etc.
9. Cool Down Song - I use the same song for cool-down. (I like Greg and Steve's Music and Movement series. I use them almost every class period. But the kindergarten one has a great song "Quiet Time." One of my autistic kids, who had very little language, one day out of the blue said, "Quiet Time" when I showed him the icon. He'd heard me say it day in and day out. It was a totally rewarding moment!)

I don't always get through the entire list, but I ALWAYS do the opening song, the steady beat practice, a dance song, and the cool down song.

Some other hints:
  • Color code your chairs, use carpet squares, put a circle of tape on the floor, or something to define the child's space. Assign each child "their spot," as they thrive on routine.
  • Use a schedule of songs for the kids. Ask the teacher aides in the special ed. classrooms to help you create these using laminated icons to represent the songs you choose to do. Laminate a manilla folder, cut lengthwise, attach velcro to icon, and cut folder. Post somewhere for kids to see. Also, this is a great opportunity to let kids choose. (For instance, for the dance song, you could give them a choice between "The Hokey Pokey" or "The Chicken Dance.")
  • The past two years, I have fumbled through music and CDs in each class, taking up time, and making a mess. This year, I have set music on each CD, so that I can just pop it in, and that's that. It goes along with the order of class. I'll have about six CDs or so once I'm finished. (This has been my summer project.) I also want to make photocopies of the various songs on the CD, or songs that I accompany on the piano, to go in order so it's all set.
  • With my higher functioning kids, a lot of times, I'll do the same lesson as I would do with say 1st or 2nd grade - whatever functioning level they seem to be at, with a few minor changes. (Again, I always include that opening and closing bit.)
  • Make it clear to the aides who come into your classroom what your expectations of them are - for instance, is it okay for them to chat while you are trying to give instructions (no, it is not okay... the kids are so easily distracted as it is! :)) What do you want them to do during activities?
  • *ASK* the special ed. teachers for help, ideas, advice, etc.. At the same time, realize that YOU are the music specialist. (They won't realize that you can actually teach them music. They will often view this time as great for the kids, fun, a time for them to let go, etc., much like our regular ed. teachers. :))
  • Slower is often better. Some songs on CDs are much too fast for the children - specifically if they give instructions (like touch your head.) If you can do them with piano/guitar accompaniment or a cappella, often it will be more effective.
SONGS:
  • "Can't Sit Still" - Greg and Steve (Music & Movement)
  • "Quiet Time" - Greg and Steve (Music & Movement)
  • "B-I-N-G-O"
  • "Bean Bag Boogie" - Greg and Steve
  • "Put Your finger In The Air"
  • Carnival Of The Animals ("Aquarium" is great with autistic kids - give them some chimes to play)
  • "The Itsy Bitsy Spider"
  • "Old MacDonald" (Change to "Old MacDonald had a band..." and add rhythm instruments. The kids LOVE it! Kids play only when they hear their instrument called.)
  • musical chairs
  • "Listen And Move" - Greg and Steve
  • "My Head And My Shoulders"
  • "Baby Beluga"
  • "Puppies" - from Music K-8, Vol. 15, No. 5
  • any kind of body movement songs
  • "Peanut Butter And Jelly"
  • "Old Brass Wagon"
  • "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear" (jump rope chant)
  • "The Hokey Pokey"
  • "Five Little Monkeys"
  • "Three Little Muffins"
  • any counting songs
  • "Down By The Bay"
  • "There Was An Old Lady" (do this song with a puppet)
  • "Freeze" - Greg and Steve
  • "Freeze!" - from Music K-8, Vol. 12, No. 2
  • "Echo" (from Share The Music, Kindergarten) - any echo song to get them singing

One more piece of advice. There is SO much out there, but you have to stick with the same songs for a while. You will get bored, but your students will be more enriched. Only introduce ONE new song or activity per week, and then re-use it for two or three more at least.

Good luck! You're going to LOVE these kiddos. It's scary at first, but so "easy" and fun as the year progresses.