Music Lesson Plan for Special Education Grades K-2nd (Mild-Moderate)

 

If you are a music teacher new to Special Education, or need ideas for your lessons you've come to the right place.  The lesson plan below contains activities my students have not only participated in and enjoyed, but that do not require a musical background to lead.

K-2nd Grade Special Education Music Lesson Plan - 30 minutes

Materials:

1. Drum
2. Copy of Drum Dream Girl book
   
3. One colorful scarf per student
4. Hand sanitizer
   

 Set up:

• Students should sit at their desks or on the floor in a semi circle
• Block easy access to your instruments (i.e. with a desk) 

Class Greeting 

A class greeting with an instrument helps establish music time.  Sing "Time for music" with a doorbell "ding-dong" melody. 

Hello Song: Have students play along with an instrument such as a drum or tambourine while the class sings their name.  Hello song suggestion: "We've Been Waiting for You" which can be sung a capella (with no background music) and include everyone's name.

Drum Dream Girl: Share the book Drum Dream Girl with the class and try to use big motions and add "sound effects" as you read to keep students' attention.

 

 

 "Al tambor": Using a djembe or similar drum, announce that we'll now be singing a song about a happy drum.  

 

 

 

 

"Can you say tambor?  I'm going to say 

Al tambor,

Al tambor,

Al tambor de-la-legría

 

Which means the happy drum en Español."

 

Start by playing a steady beat on the drum, then singing the chorus of the song.  After singing it a couple of times, go up to each student and have them tap the drum while you sing the verse of the song contatining their name (Maya, o, Maya, Maya amiga mía). Here is the recording I learned it from by José Luis Orozco:

 

 

Once everyone has had a turn, encourage the students to give themselves an applause.

Quick song they probably know: if you are able to find out a song from their regular repertoire that you can lead, great!  If not, try “If You’re Happy and You Know It."

Transition: distribute one colorful scarf per student.

Movement with Scarves: Depending on the time of year you can use different music selections, but this is my go-to song for moving with scarves:

Folding the scarves: This song is encourages slower legato (connected) movement and instructs students to fold the scarf before putting it back.

Goodbye Song: You can sing "Music Time is Over" in the same ding-dong (sol mi) melody you used at the beginning of class or the song of your choice.  Here is an example:

  

During the goodbye song, you can distribute hand sanitizer to students and other teachers present.  Finally, encourage the class to give themselves an applause for doing so well in Music Class.

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Did you try some or all of this lesson plan?  Let us know how it went!