Submitted by Erin Penley, North Carolina
Idea posted October 23, 2002
My school houses seven self-contained classes (classes with various mental, emotional, and behavioral issues). These classes are always a challenge; simply devising lesson plans for each class each week is a full-time job. In my fourth year teaching these classes, I finally feel like "I GOT IT!"
After so much time with these special kids, I really believe that our job as music educators is to ENJOY! Some of these kids have NOTHING to look forward to - we bring beauty, laughter, imagination and MUSIC to their lives. I cannot imagine a greater gift to give these kids.
I wanted to share things that have really worked with my students... These children thrive on routine, so my basic lesson plan stays the same every week. I simply use different material for each section of the lesson.
1. Welcome/Beat practice - I begin every class with a Music K-8 song and let students take turns being the "leader" keeping the beat. These kids can't get enough beat practice and they LOVE listening to "cool" music. (3 minutes)
2. Instrument time - practice keeping the beat, explore and discuss instrument timbre (woods, metals, skins, pitched, unpitched, etc.) (included with number one or number 4; 2 minutes)
3. Voice exploration - singing, speaking, whispering, shouting; sing simple songs; couldn't live without solfège! AFTER THREE YEARS, THESE GUYS SING BEAUTIFULLY!! (8-10 minutes)
4. In every class, we have at least one speech piece - A Horse And A Flea, Way Down South, etc.; we always add the beat, instrument sounds, change voice, etc., dramatize (8-10 minutes)
5. Motor Skills development - guided listening activities where we decide if the music walks, hops, gallops, skips, runs, etc. (3-5 minutes)
6. Something Fun! They LOVE Greg & Steve CDs (3-5 minutes)
7. Cool Down - Listen to lullaby-type song, relax, and line up (2 minutes)