Friday, November 15, 2013

Using Music to Fuel our Learning

       I can recite all fifty states in alphabetical order.... Okay, I can SING all fifty states in alphabetical order. Why do I have this wonderful skill?  I learned a song in grade school, and we sang it during a Veterans Day Assembly.  Thirty years later, I still remember the tune and the words.
  
      In our classrooms, music is a fantastic way to teach vocabulary, reinforce concepts, scaffold articulation, reinforce routines and help children transition between activities.  
Here is a link to an article about using Music in the classroom. 


      A great strategy we use in the classroom is called the Cloze.  Begin a song and then pause and see if your child will fill in the blank.  Start with familiar songs, leave off a bit more each time to encourage reciprocal participation.  

     We also use Music to set the mood.  Upbeat tunes help us through the long afternoon, slow melodies help us calm down our bodies.  

     Musical instruments are used to practice the back and forth exchange between communication partners.  They are used to punctuate repeated lines in a favorite book.  They can help us demonstrate repeating, extending and creating patterns.  They are also used to practice following directions and following social cues from peers.  

     You may hear your child humming a tune or repeating a few words from our favorite songs.  I hope this makes you smile!         -Amanda Berndt


Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Welcome to OT! Room 141

 



Welcome to Mrs. Berndt's class, Room 143

Welcome to Mrs. Henry's class, Room 120

Welcome to Speech and Language with Mrs. Ross, Room 120 and Mrs. Bertelsmeyer's class




Welcome to Ms. O'Brien's class, room 141




Welcome to Mrs. Spratt's class, Room 121