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Goal

In elementary schools around the country, our special education students face unique challenges that require tailored educational approaches. Traditional music instruments and resources often pose safety risks due to these students' tendency to put objects in their mouths to orally explore them, drop things due to certain motor skill issues, or simply throw them when they are in sensory overload. This limits their engagement and can inhibit their ability to fully participate in music education.
Research shows that music education can significantly benefit children with special needs by enhancing cognitive development, motor skills, and emotional well-being. However, to maximize these benefits, it is crucial to use materials that are specifically designed to be safe and engaging for this population. Currently, our music program lacks such resources, which is why I am seeking funding to acquire specialized music toys and manipulatives.
By addressing this need, I hope to create a more inclusive and stimulating l 

 

Category

Learning Aids - Sunshine state book sets, robotics kits, puzzle boards, science models, engineering supplies, etc. 

 

What will be done with my students

My Multi VE students will use these instruments weekly throughout the school year, and each one contributes to students learning their music standards (known as Florida State Access Points) through multi-sensory experiences. Some are instruments that make sound by rotating the wrist – some make sound by simply flipping a rainstick back and forth, while the student then listens to the various rain sounds and watches the beads fall in particular patterns and directions. These instruments and manipulatives will enhance the music curriculum we use in Volusia county, QuaverEd, each week when I present my music lesson to these students.
Each of the items selected are able to cleaned easily, are made from durable materials, and most importantly, are not electronic devices. They are sensory-friendly and provide the students with a safe and tactile musical experience.
1. Music Performance
• MU.1.S.1.1: "Perform a varied repertoire of music with expression and technical accuracy."
o Using specialized music toys and man 

 

Benefits to my students

Safe, durable, tactile musical items can offer numerous benefits to special education students, addressing both their unique needs and enhancing their educational experience. The safety concerns I have with these students putting certain objects in their mouths are much easier to address when the items are not too small, contain non-toxic materials, and do not have pointed ends (like a drumstick).
Safe and engaging musical instruments encourage active participation, making music class more inviting and less intimidating for students who might otherwise be reluctant to engage. Through exploring different sounds and textures, students can develop cognitive skills such as cause and effect, pattern recognition, and auditory discrimination. Plus, music provides a medium for students to express their emotions, which can be particularly beneficial for those who have difficulty communicating verbally, as do all the students in our Multi VE program.
Using the same set of materials can create a sense of equality and in 

 

Budget Narrative

I have been brainstorming what items and instruments would be the most beneficial and useful for this student population, and the list of items I came up with have a few things in common. They are easy to clean, they are easy to transport to the VE classroom, they do not break easily, and they are not electronic. I would love to have multiples of each item so that no matter how many new students enroll at Champion, I can ensure they each have access to these appropriate materials. 

 

Items