An Attitude and Approach for Teaching Music to Special Learners

by Elise S. Sobol

Overview

An international handbook of inspirational wisdom for teaching music universally to enhance the learning potential in children of all ages, backgrounds, and capabilities, An Attitude and Approachfor Teaching Music to Special Learners is a most accessible relevant reference to facilitate lifelong student learning. Its usefulness is equally versatile for music educators and classroom teachers, administrators and curriculum designers, instructional leaders in higher education as well as for parents and caregivers. Backed by research and driven by author’s passionate commitment to affect a better global future for our children, text revisions include updates in educational law, criteria for designating disability categories, accommodations, standards, definitions, trends, and notice of the significant societal strides made in the visibility and educational expectations of our students with developmental disabilities including those with autism spectrum disorders. Classroom tested inclusive music teaching and critical thinking strategies impact student success across the curriculum to help students meet grade level expectations for English Language Arts, science, social studies, and mathematics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781475828412
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	05/08/2017
Edition description:	Third Edition
Pages:	198
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Elise S. Sobol, Ed.D. Currently teaches special education courses in the music education departments of New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, LIU -Post College of Arts, Communications and Design and Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music of the City University of New York. Recently retired from the Nassau BOCES Department of Special Education, Rosemary Kennedy School for Students with Autism and Developmental Disabilities, she combines over thirty-six years of experience preK-secondary in general and special education to readers here and abroad.

Table of Contents

List of Figures
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
Notes on the Third Edition

Chapter One -The Basics
AEIOU’s of Teaching Special Learners
ABC’s of Vocal and Instrumental Adaptation
Classroom Set-Up
Classroom Management
Classroom Discipline
Foundations of Music Education for Teaching Special Learners
A Vocabulary of Special Education
Special Education
Exceptional
Functional Behavior Assessment
Behavior Intervention Plan
Individualized Education Program
Integrated Co-Teaching
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Free and Appropriate Public Education
Least Restrictive Environment
Response to Intervention
Related Services
Committee on Special Education
Due Process
Section 504
Cognitive Functions and Dysfunction
Instructional Adaptations for Learning
Definitions of Categories of Disabilities
Talented and Gifted
Twice Exceptional
Ethically Diverse Students
Disorders Requiring Educational Intervention
Specific Learning Disorders
Common Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Physical Disabilities
Chromosomal Abnormalities
Infectious Communicable Diseases
Sensory Impairments
Other Issues Affecting School Progress
Laws Against Discrimination
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Americans with Disabilities Act
Effective Teaching Across the Disabilities

Chapter Two -Musical Process for Academic Progress
Introduction to Musical Literacy
Class Structure – Sound Signals
Sound Signals to Melodic Understanding
Introduction to Rhythmic Notation
Reading Notation on a Staff
Applications to Choral and Instrumental Programs
Success for Students of All Challenges and Learning Styles

Chapter Three –Standards-Based Music Education
National Core Arts Standards for Music Education
Educating the Whole Child with “SPICES”
Whole Language Activities through Music
Mediated Learning in the Special Education and Inclusion Classroom
Six Week Standards Based Lesson Sequence
Let’s Talk About the Positive: Autism
Let’s Talk About the Positive: ADHD and ADD
Teaching Special Learners Critical Thinking Skills
Ludwig van Beethoven
Giuseppe Verdi
W.C. Handy
Louis Armstrong
George Gershwin
Sample Unifying Questions for Study
Relevant Applications for Student Success

Chapter Four -International Speeches
“Communication Through Music – A Language Beyond Words”
July 15, 1999 Lisbon, Portugal
“It Depends on Y.O.U.”
July 5, 2000, Washington, D.C.
“Joining in a Common Hymn”
July 19, 2001, Cambridge, England
Keynote Speeches
“Listen, Create….Inspire! October 13, 2014 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA)
Keynote Message: 2015 New York State Teacher of the Year Finalist
New York State Education Department
“Engaging All Learners: Listen, Inspire..Create! June 4, 2015 New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE)
“2016 Honoree Award Acceptance” May 4, 2016 Music Educators Association of New York City (MEANYC)

Chapter Five -Pearls and Roses (Original Quotations)
References for Pearls and Roses
Catalogue of Writings, as author and contributing author
Films made for Educational Television

Appendix A: Landmark Dates and Updates in Special Education Law
Appendix B: Cross Curricular Inclusive Teaching with Books for Young Readers
Used in the Special Education Classroom
Conclusion
References
About the Author
Index

Editorial Reviews

In this time of rapid change in thedemographic, legal, and technological landscapes surrounding thefield ofmusic education and special needs, the third edition of An Attitude and Approach for Teaching Music to Special Learners is an indispensable resource for music educators. Pioneering music teacher and teacher educatorDr. Elise Sobol draws on her extensive experience and highlightsthe latest developments and innovations to provide music educators with the habits of mind and the teaching strategies that they need to reach all of their students.

Rhoda Bernard

In this new and updated edition, Dr. Elise Sobol addressees the most recent developments in music pedagogy for students with special needs. In the process, she makes an essential text even more relevant.

Thomas MacFarlane

Elise Sobol's new edition of her booklives up to its title of 'attitude' and 'approach' to music for children with special needs; an encyclopedic work bringing professionals truly up to date in valuing and meeting these children's needs.

Jerrold Ross

Reaching beyond the great work of her 2 previous editions, Elise gifts the music education community once again by sharing her experience and insights gained from her continually evolving practice of teaching music to children with disabilities in the public school setting. From her scholarship and preparation like a scientist with teaching like an artist, Dr. Sobol focuses on what her students can do. In doing so, Elise serves as a catalyst in our work as music educator to expand our efforts for inspiring students of all abilities to become life long music learners and lovers. A must read for anyone wanting to learn more about teaching music to students having disabilities.

Stephen M. Shore

This book is a must read for all students of music. The book provides the reader with a solid baseline of how to teach children who learn differently. An invaluable resource book for all teachers of music.

Patricia Cestaro

Elise is truly talented and sensitive to teachers needs. This is such a comprehensive manuscript and resource for teachers all over the world. It is great to have it updated.

Professor Wendy Neilson

Much more than a profession, teaching is the commitment to the belief that no matter what challenges a child faces, each is unique and significant. An Attitude and Approach for Teaching Music to Special Learners represents some of the best practices in music education for special learners. This book is an opportunity to visit and share some enlightening information about the best practices in the field of music education for special learners. It should be used as a resource for the mind and the spirit helping bring the joy of music and life to all. Music is a unique way of knowing and understanding. An appropriate music education can lead to some of the most profound of human achievement and communication. An Attitude and Approach for Teaching Music to Special Learners teaches us how to know and understand ourselves and other people.

Al Robinson

In its practicality, its breadth of material, and its obvious depth of knowledge of the subject, this book is a reflection of the wealth of teaching experience which Elise Sobol has had working with special needs students at all levels and in many countries. An Attitude and Approach for Teaching Music to Special Learners in every sentence glows with the empathy and love that this master teacher holds for the special needs students to whom she has dedicated her professional life.

William J. Mercer

Elise Sobol has made great strides in identifying ways to make the music classroom more accessible to students with special needs....Offering students another way to visually organize music, Sobol's book is a useful resource for elementary generaly music teachers....It is evident that this book can be read from beginning to end, or a single chapter can be extracted as a reference as Sobol has created a clever, flexible layout for presenting her information....the book and CD in their entirety prove to be valuable resources for making the elementary general music classroom a more welcoming place for special learners.

Music Educators Journal

Elise Sobol is a leading expert in Music for Special Learners, and, more importantly, she is one of their greatest advocates and most gifted and experienced teachers. An Attitude and Approach for Teaching Music to Special Learners is a comprehensive and concise resource covering all aspects related to teaching special learners, including background information, general and specific pedagogy, and, even, very useful lesson plans and resource. As the title implies, this text guides the music educator to the most effective attitude and approaches when working with individuals with special needs.

Dr. Keith Kaiser

It gives me a great deal of pleasure to write in support of Elise Sobol's comprehensive book, An Attitude and Approach for Teaching Music to Special Learners. This book is for all music educators. It is both a philosophy and a "how-to" book with a wealth of information. I believe it is essential for all educators and as such should be added to everyone's reference materials. It is based on a sound and logical approach to teaching by a master teacher who is innovative, resourceful, and caring, with years of experience in the field.

Peter Brasch

This newly updated and re-organized version of the original text on teaching music to exceptional learners represents a resource that is even more accessible and comprehensive. The scope of the text has been expanded beyond New York State to the national level, and now includes some very helpful additional materials in the appendices. The reader will be pleased with the way the overall content is now structured, and will find the new index very helpful. I highly recommend this new edition.

Brian Abrams

It was a pleasure to read this second edition of Prof. Sobol's book. It is a celebration for music educators, musicians, and general educators, as this book is an elevator to music appreciation and comprehension of how much music can help children. Although the book is easy and readable with mnemonic facilities for teachers to remember what they need to, it attracts rereading to learn the details of the approach. The several appendixes are very efficient and serve as a first aid for any teacher, notconfined to music discipline only. I've never read a book that gives such a clear, useful approach for teachers as this one...

Yehudit Carmon

This is a book that must be read by every music teacher-whether you are a college music education major, or a 50-year teaching veteran. Although the book is aimed primarily toward "special learners" it is really applicable to all learners, for all children are "special." This book clearly defines the various definitions and types of disabilities, and it offers positive strategies for implementing new programs and concepts into the music classroom. Congratulations, Elise-we've been needing this book for a long time!

Elaine Gates

I am so thankful and grateful to Elise Sobol for publishing this book. I have learned tremendously from the first edition, but I have learned even more in the revised and updated second edition of An Attitude and Approach for Teaching Music to Special Learners. It would be very helpful to translate this teaching volume into Japanese to make it available to music teachers everywhere!

Ayumi Takeshima

What I liked most about this book was its comprehensive nature; it includes educational, legal, musical, social, medical, emotional, and spiritual information about the business of music teaching and learning for children with special needs. It is a celebratory, inclusive, and practical guide for preservice, new, and seasoned music and nonmusic educators.

Jennifer Scott Miceli

An Attitude and Approach for Teaching Music to Special Learners is an indispensable teaching and learning tool. I use it to teach music and to teach horseback riding to all learners. Elise Sobol's book inspires me to think and work creatively in new ways. The principles laid out are universal educational applications. The second edition, updated with new additions, is a concise and useful reorganization of this brilliant material. It is the most important new work being done in the field of music education.

Petina Cole

The book is certainly an important resource for all music educators dealing with students across the age and ability spectrum. The content is invaluable and its organization is an educator's dream. The material is communicated clearly, concisely, and logically, while the underlying principles are creative, based on experiential and measurable data. Above all, the book helps teachers deal with special learners in the most positive and realistic manner, always respecting the child or individual for his/her attributes and abilities.

Leslie Jones

Elise Sobol has made great strides in identifying ways to make the music classroom more accessible to students with special needs....Offering students another way to visually organize music, Sobol's book is a useful resource for elementary generaly music teachers....It is evident that this book can be read from beginning to end, or a single chapter can be extracted as a reference as Sobol has created a clever, flexible layout for presenting her information....the book and CD in their entirety prove to be valuable resources for making the elementary general music classroom a more welcoming place for special learners.

June 2010 Music Educators Journal