All the students in my room are non-verbal. We are working through the PECS program to help the students learn how to communicate effectively in the classroom.
Each child in my classroom loves learning, although the method and environment in which they learn best vary greatly.
We incorporate a variety of learning strategies, individualized instruction and alternative seating to ensure that each student's needs are met. They are truly an incredible group, and I am so lucky and thankful to have a new group of learners that are excited and ready to learn this year!
My students love their generalized in school music but because they are non-verbal it is hard for them to get a lot out of the time because they cannot sing along with their peers. A music therapist has ways to engage students with adaptive needs reach a music curriculum. One of my favorite examples is when the music therapist came this month she allowed the students to put their feet on the guitar and feel the vibrations of the guitar because his fine motor skills hindered his ability to actually play the guitar.
My Project
All the students in my classroom are non-verbal and they have many sensory outputs that help them learn. They love there generalized music class, but there is no sensory involvement for them and because they are non-verbal they cannot sing along to the songs. Music therapy would help them feel the music in a different way. I would like my students to be able to participate in music therapy led by a music therapist who has training and experience utilizing music therapy for kids with special needs.
I know that music therapy will make a difference in my students' lives.
Music therapists assess emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses, then they will design music sessions for our groups based on needs using music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, music performance, and learning through music. The more aware they are of their senses and what they can do the more independent they can be in the classroom, throughout the school, and in their daily lives. Please help us bring our music therapist into our classroom to help our students continue their journey toward happier and healthier lives.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Grzybowski and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
