formances as well.
At my school, one main focus in fifth grade is learning and performing a fifth grade musical, in which students have group and individual speaking parts, singing parts, and are in charge of all production aspects of the performance (set de- sign, costumes, props, advertisements, etc.). In this particular production, there were ‘student’ roles and ‘composer’ roles. Through working with the ASL interpreter over the course of the year, we found out that the student really liked the cos- tumes for the composer part, wanted to be on stage with peers, and wanted to have a solo speaking part in the performance. Throughout the year, the student learned, practiced, and even- tually performed a speaking part for one of the composer roles in the musical. A peer mentor, whom the student was famil- iar with, was assigned to the same composer role and voiced the lines while the student who is deaf signed them. The deaf student also signed the words to the songs in the musical and later performed a song on stage with the rest of the fifth grade class at our school’s graduation ceremony. In instrumental music (taught by another music teacher), this student eventu- ally learned to play the snare drum and performed with fifth grade classmates during the instrumental music concert.
Action #4: Reflect & Reimagine
The aforementioned “actions” were fluid steps that required much time, understanding, and effort. Although it was a chal-
lenge to constantly develop lessons and appropriate visual aids, it was rewarding to take the steps necessary to build a connection with this student through music. This student has left a profound impression on me and has drastically altered my perception of what is possible in the music classroom and beyond. Every child deserves a rich and meaningful music education that dares to inspire expression and shape the hu- man experience; we, the educators, must do everything in our power to provide just that, no matter how seemingly impos- sible the circumstances may appear. In doing so, we stand to learn and grow just as much as—and, perhaps, more than— our students.
Amy L. Sierzega currently teach- es K-5 elementary general music in the Ann Arbor Public Schools. She also teaches early childhood music classes through Eastern Michigan University’s Com- munity Music Academy. Amy received her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Michigan State University and can be reached at
amysierzega@gmail.com.
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