This document discusses the benefits of inclusive music classrooms where students with and without disabilities learn together. A study at Spring Valley Academy found that partnerships between students had a positive effect on perceptions of peers with disabilities. As a universal language, music brings individuals together through a shared feeling of pride, fellowship and loyalty. In these inclusive classrooms, all students gain confidence and learn musical skills like expression, dynamics, and turn-taking. They become part of an ensemble experience unlike any other, focused on performing together rather than just listening.

1. Teaching Music in an Inclusive Classroom:
Does it Work?
Spring Valley Academy, 2016-2018

2. It works!
partnerships between students with and
without disabilities had a positive effect on
students’ perception of peers with
disabilities

3. As a universal
language, the
performance of
music has a
unique ability to
bring disparate
individuals
together.
Experienced directors
call this phenomenon
‘esprit de corps’, a
feeling of pride,
fellowship, and
common loyalty shared
by the members of a
particular group.
This is a higher order
of inclusion.

4. Accomplishment
s
Visual and Performing Arts:
Music Content Standards.
2.0 CREATIVE
EXPRESSION
Creating, Performing, and
Participating in Music

5. Student Confidence Soars
At some point, student and mentors switch. Students with
disabilities routinely lead the class. ‘Veteran’ members will
teach new-comer mentors.

6. What happens?
On a typical day the engaged students
take ownership of their learning.
Students choose hand bells, bucket
drumming, boomwhackers, or Orff
instruments to meet the unit goals for the
day
Students operate off of a video lesson,
drum circle, or work in pods

7. Guided Choice leads to Independent
learning
Hand Bells Boomwhackers

8. Guided Choice leads to Independent
learning
Orff Bucket Drums

9. What is learned
Basic Expression
Demonstrate the your
ability to sustain,
crescendo and
decrescendo pianissimo
to fortissimo to pianissimo
Working in turns
Waiting for your cue,
reading ahead,
identifying color and
pitch

10. An inclusive music room- an
experience unlike any other
All students become a part of something bigger and enjoy the
fellowship that is a performing music ensemble. Not listening,
but performing. It is a shared learning experience unlike any
other