I am a music therapist & music educator working at an early childhood, special education center, in a large urban public school district. My students represent a diverse socioeconomic background, from middle class to homeless, including ELL populations. Their diversity extends to a wide range of learning styles and challenges. We service 2-5-year-old students, in an inclusive environment: medically fragile, autism, developmentally delayed, and typically developing children.
My students can be fully immersed in learning activities structured through music, not even realizing they are gaining valuable skills!
Students are most successful given multi-sensory, hands on activities, promoting full engagement while participating. Music is motivating and rewarding as they learn by doing. I structure activities that provide opportunities for individual and group responses for all levels. Providing visual supports, in the form of picture cues is often necessary for comprehension and learning. Cooperative activities using peer models is another frequently used strategy, building important social emotional skills and problem solving. Children who are non-verbal in the classroom setting will often vocalize, or even speak during music! The power of music is evident as these students participate and respond successfully during our events!
My Project
What parent doesn't want to see their child on stage? Parents of children with special needs share the same desire-to see and hear their child during a performance or event!
Given the nature of our students and their learning challenges, some of their little voices are difficult to hear, which won't be an issue with wireless lapel microphones!
Wireless microphones will support my special students while they perform so their families can bask with pride! I coordinate about 8 performances during the school year, all of which include disabled and non-disabled children. While some students do not have the motor control hold a microphone while singing simultaneously, wireless lapel mics that clip on, would solve this problem!
The shyest of children who hesitate to speak or sing will sometimes activate their voice using a microphone. Often, they don't even realize it's actually 'their' voice coming through the equipment! Moving wheelchairs over wires and alerting students to step over/around cords during rehearsals and performances is a hazard and distraction. Having cordless lapel microphones will free my students' hands while enhancing their voice, provide consistency between classroom instruction, rehearsals and performance while decreasing safety risks.
Thank you for your consideration of this project for my very special students!
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Monica Levin and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
