Music with SPED Kids 

 
This class meets for one week every month. I am not an expert nor am I experienced with 
working with students who have special needs. However, students with this caliber have a unique set of 
skills when it comes to music that is always worth exploring.  
Although this class only meets for one week every month, I want to think of ways to provide 
them the music education they deserve. 
I want to assess their identi cation skills. The students certainly have the enthusiasm for music, 
but how can we navigate their skills into music making? From what I’ve observed, visual and tangible 
elements are crucial (and I could argue the same for neurotypical children). 
In this lesson plan, students will be identifying instruments in pop songs by playing modi ed 
versions of the instruments themselves.  
 
Objective  
Students with special needs will practice instrument identi cation in pop songs by playing 
along with visual elements. 
 
Procedure 
Each student will have a speci c instrument to identify. For every student, they will either 
receive a tambourine, a bucket for drumming, a prop guitar (provided by me), and other miscellaneous 
percussion instruments.  
There will be visuals on the board displaying the lyrics, with visual icons above the words to 
show when and which instruments should be playing.  
Teachers and aides will be expected to help students know when to play and when to stop, and 
are even encouraged to play along with the students.  
I have chosen songs speci cally from The Beatles because of the simplicity of their setup and 
lack of electronic features to deter from the instruments the students are meant to be listening for.  
Song List:  
-Day Tripper (guitar, drum, tambourine) 
-I Feel Fine (guitar, drum, cowbell) 
-Love Me Do (guitar, drum, tambourine, harmonica) 
 
Assessment 
Are students able to identify on their own? Do they stop and start playing when it's indicated?  
 
To view an example of the slides being used, follow this link: 
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-diqG29q6tJ1K2RJnEsuJkKxG0cLLpoUtfEhQK6jLU8/ed
it?usp=sharing