When I use this song, I bring in a large, special drum the kids have not seen in awhile. The novelty helps build their anticipation and especially helps to encourage the lower functioning students to indicate they are interested in playing. One of my favorite examples of a successful use of this song comes from a classroom of about 7 elementary students with Autism. In the first session, they each took a turn with much prompting. After 2-3 consecutive weeks of being exposed to the song, the students were almost jumping out of their seats, raising their hands, and calling out "My turn." Usually, I am not a fan of kids waving their hands in my face for a turn, but it was awesome to see them all engaged, and aware of their surroundings.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
New Tune Tuesday: Sharing, Sharing
I love when creativity strikes at a random moment! This week's New Tune Tuesday came to me when I was driving between different schools. When inspiration sturck, I reached for my phone, and recorded the melody before it escaped me. “Sharing, Sharing" has become a staple song for me this school year because it enforces two very important goal areas, socialization and communication.
Students learn to wait and anticipate their turn, while also practicing using the phrase “My turn”. With some of my non-verbal classrooms, I have used this song also as a way to encourage any form of indicating they want to play or participate. Common indications have been raising a hand, a vocalization, opening their eyes, or turning their head to look at me.
When I use this song, I bring in a large, special drum the kids have not seen in awhile. The novelty helps build their anticipation and especially helps to encourage the lower functioning students to indicate they are interested in playing. One of my favorite examples of a successful use of this song comes from a classroom of about 7 elementary students with Autism. In the first session, they each took a turn with much prompting. After 2-3 consecutive weeks of being exposed to the song, the students were almost jumping out of their seats, raising their hands, and calling out "My turn." Usually, I am not a fan of kids waving their hands in my face for a turn, but it was awesome to see them all engaged, and aware of their surroundings.
When I use this song, I bring in a large, special drum the kids have not seen in awhile. The novelty helps build their anticipation and especially helps to encourage the lower functioning students to indicate they are interested in playing. One of my favorite examples of a successful use of this song comes from a classroom of about 7 elementary students with Autism. In the first session, they each took a turn with much prompting. After 2-3 consecutive weeks of being exposed to the song, the students were almost jumping out of their seats, raising their hands, and calling out "My turn." Usually, I am not a fan of kids waving their hands in my face for a turn, but it was awesome to see them all engaged, and aware of their surroundings.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hi Emily! I love this song. I used it in a session today when we were taking turns with the autoharp and it worked beautifully. The teacher commented on how much she liked the song and concept. I told her about you and your website, so hopefully, she'll check it out! Thanks,
ReplyDeleteLinda
Thanks so much Linda! I am so happy you have found it useful! Also, thank you for spreading the word! We should meet up for coffee sometime to chat!
DeleteI would definitely like to sit down with you and chat sometime!! I had to tell you that this week in one of my groups one of my clients with autism began singing your sharing song as soon as she saw the big drum symbol on the schedule! I had only begun using the song the week before with a huge hand drum, but she remembered the melody line and the concept. That is really a true sign of a well crafted song! Thanks, Linda
ReplyDelete