disability and accessibility
Strategies for means of representation: • Teach with multiple modalities. Music classes are inherently aural, but are we utilizing kinesthetic activities? Do we provide visuals? Do we teach ear training and music literacy?
• With visuals, utilize variation in size, color or highlighting. Devices can make it easier to enlarge and add color to visuals.
• Support comprehension of new ideas by activating background knowledge. Many musical concepts spiral through the curriculum at more advanced difficulty levels.
3) Multiple Means of Action and Expression
Inclusive, accessible music education requires that we teach all of our music standards: creating, performing, respond- ing and connecting. Providing opportuni- ties for students to interact with music in a multitude of ways gives everyone the opportunity to succeed and creates well- rounded musicians.
Strategies for action and expression:
• Provide opportunities for students to create through composing, arrang- ing and making creative decisions surrounding performance. Utilize technology for greater accessibility.
• Provide opportunities for students to discern the meaning of the music and understand how that
meaning was created. Allow stu- dents to communicate their learning through movement, art, or media.
Coda: Building the Ramp
When a student struggles in music class, what if we don’t try to “fix” them, but rather, change the expectations surround- ing them? What if we measure success by what a student CAN DO, not what they can’t? Through universal design, we can plan instruction, feedback and assessment practices that create an optimal learning environment, and in so doing, build a ramp to learning that is accessible for all.
Terry Little is K-12 music coordinator and teaching and learning specialist, Elmbrook School District, Brookfield.
Email:
littlet@elmbrookschools.org
WMEA Service Awards
Recognizing people who make a difference is one of the most rewarding activities for any organization. WMEA sponsors several ways to recognize those who have sustained a commitment to music education and made a positive impact in the school, community or state:
• Award for Excellence in Teaching (co-sponsored with WSMA) • 25+ Years of Teacher Service Recognition • Richard G. Gaarder Award • Distinguished Administrator Award
• Distinguished School Board Member Award
• Distinguished Legislator Award • Michael G. George Award • Community Service Award
WMEA President Brad Schneider with 2023 Richard G. Gaarder Award recipient Cassidy DeWitt
• Melvin F. Pontious Creative Sparks in Music Education Award
Learn more, and make your nominations today at
wmeamusic.org/awards.
Wisconsin School Musician 25
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