Find Your Song Through Improvisation
As a music teacher for students from grades 1 to 12 who have learning differences such as Dyslexia, ADHD and Executive Function Disorder, I have found that improvisation is a powerful tool for helping LD students engage with music. Improvisation has also been shown to address language learning centers of the brain, and so through this, we can also provide rigorous language and expressive/receptive communication practice. In this workshop, participants will learn how to lead their music classes through simple improvisation games that teach students about fundamental musical concepts, build community, enhance social-emotional learning skills, and ultimately empower the students to find their own musical voice, their own song. The purpose of this session is to provide music teachers with a toolbox of activities they can use to help them better reach those students in their classes who learn differently, who struggle to engage with the community, or who need additional SEL support. While developed for the LD music classroom, these activities can find a home in any music class, at any grade level.
In this session, participants will:
learn about the benefits of improvisation for learning about music, as well as for engaging language-learning skills, and enhancing SEL capacities.
practice simple games to lead students through improvisation exercises.
explore a three-tiered system for teaching music through improvisation – each tier devoted to an element of music: Melody, rhythm, and Harmony.
leave the session with easy-to-follow directions for leading their music students through some simple improvisation games. They will be able to use these games in their classrooms right away!
