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Sped

Posted by 2A'er on 1/28/2025, 12:45 pm

What do ya'll do with sped kids that are barely verbal, can not read, and can not remember from day to day.

Re: Sped

Posted by Me on 2/5/2025, 4:29 am, in reply to "Sped"

Knew a guy one time that bought pool noodles. Cut into small pieces. They get to tap the rhythm

Re: Sped

Posted by advice on 2/3/2025, 9:32 am, in reply to "Sped"

This is our future. Sell your treasury bonds now.

Re: Sped

Posted by 1A Dude on 1/29/2025, 1:27 pm, in reply to "Sped"

Give them a practice pad and some drumsticks and see if they can keep the beat. If they are able to find a beat, try programming a fun pop tune with some cowbell so that they can contribute. Thank you for trying to find a way to include this sped kid!

Re: Sped

Posted by Warhawk on 1/29/2025, 11:48 am, in reply to "Sped"

We do the best we can. We have 2 in our 6th grade class. One has anger control issues and has threatened to hit me once. He has hit other students with drum sticks and his fists. While he is supposed to have a 1-1 aide in band, that person rarely shows. When I write him up for discipline issues, I get told that I need to change my approach, etc.

In the fall, we had an issue where he threatened my job. I requested to have him placed in a different class per 20 US Code, Section 1415 (k) IDEA, Placement in an alternative educational setting and Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, section 004, Placement of Students with Disabilities.

He's still here.

Re: Sped

Posted by older than dirt on 1/29/2025, 11:29 am, in reply to "Sped"

Different skill sets: one student played wind chimes, and really got into it. One student played bass drum and was very steady. Most I've put on percussion because they could find a pulse and not disrupt. I did have one on Bass Clarinet and they played six different notes, and only long tones (whole notes). Don't try to expect them to perform at the same level as others. Give them grace at their level. And, if they don't play at contest, it's ok. They are getting a band experience in class.

Re: Sped

Posted by Respectfully on 1/28/2025, 2:17 pm, in reply to "Sped"

Find something they *can* do and make sure their 1:1 para helps them do so.

Re: Sped

Posted by 2A'er on 1/28/2025, 10:28 pm, in reply to "Re: Sped"

No para

Re: Sped

Posted by Warhawk on 1/30/2025, 8:30 am, in reply to "Re: Sped"

If a 1-1 aide/para is specified in the student's IEP and said individual is not accompanying the student to your class, then the school/district is in violation of the law.

Re: Sped

Posted by Respectfully on 1/29/2025, 9:43 pm, in reply to "Re: Sped"

Check their IEP. I bet they're required to have a 1:1 para in all classes if they're as limited as you say.

If they're using your class as "break time" for the para, they need to figure something out. You're a teacher, not a babysitter.

Re: Sped

Posted by wtx on 1/29/2025, 11:18 am, in reply to "Re: Sped"

have a student helper? or maybe have a different student help him on different days

Re: Sped

Posted by Disagree on 2/2/2025, 9:51 am, in reply to "Re: Sped"

I disagree with this. Why should that students day, learning, be disrupted? This is not fair to the student. I had a sped kid who had to be escorted to the bathroom. No aid, so students did it. They would physically sigh and look unhappy about it. I started sending the kid alone. A teacher saw him as they passed the bathroom, with his pants down, getting ready to walk out into the hall. They blocked him. I wrote an email to sped, admin, and he was moved to sped full time. Please do not burden a child with this responsibility.

Re: Sped

Posted by wtx on 2/4/2025, 11:04 am, in reply to "Re: Sped"

...I was more talking about point to what page or measure the class is on and what fingering to use.
I've had students who love to be helpers and would not see something like that as a burden.

Re: Sped

Posted by CentexBD on 1/29/2025, 10:21 am, in reply to "Re: Sped"

In these cases I have close communication with the family, looking for what goals they have for the student being in band. I follow their IEP/504 and I work with any case manager in the school. Depending on the student, sometimes they are their to be social with other students, I give drum sticks and a drum pad and help them find beats. They do not go to contest with us, but are there for all concerts and campus performances. Others are a little engage and were able to start learning clarinet.
Again, this is a case by case situation that you must communicate with all other parties involved.

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