School Bulletin: Washington Center

There are always many activities to engage students in learning in the Mrs. Julie Dail’s adapted music class at Washington Center. 

Students have opportunities for singing, moving, playing instruments and listening to many kinds of music during each class period. During the first quarter, a special emphasis was placed on singing.

Students were encouraged to respond at their own physical/mental ability level to teacher-led singing. Students responded by singing, toning or vocalizing, humming, fine motor facial responses (such as smiling), eye gaze and/or large motor movements such as swaying to the music.

One of the fall themes students particularly enjoyed was “Apple Picking.” Students enjoyed singing along with songs that helped them learn to count and sort apples by color. A variety of sound sources and visuals were used to provide a multi-sensory approach which encouraged students to listen, see, and touch as they sang. 

Students examined real apples to note their smoothness, shape, and color. They helped harvest apples from a tree visual by picking them and putting them in the basket, as they sang the song, “Pick Some Apples.” 

One key goal in the adapted music classroom is to present musical activities that are relevant, and easily understood by students. Many of the themes used in the adapted music class help to reinforce learning in other Washington Center classes. “Apple Picking” has been an enjoyable and engaging singing activity for fall.