[Guest Teacher]

Thank you guys! All this info has helped so so much. Still unsure on whether it is a good idea yet or not. Am currently teaching from a spare room/studio in my home but wanting to expand. Maybe it’s too soon.

Thanks again!
All the best xxx

[Guest Teacher]

Hi Eliza

I only have a couple of ideas with this but again it will be trial and error.
When it comes to the rhythm repetition is sometimes the only way to go. I have sat with a song that the student has picked and got them to count all the way through the song. This gave them an understanding of 1….2….3….4…. and I explained to them that this is a bar etc and they managed to link that to the song itself. I also got them to tap their own different 4/4 beats on the laps as this is slightly more fun. Both of these combined gave slightly better results. I know that it sounds like I’m teaching them drums but it really did help.

When it comes to lyrics would it help if you recorded yourself reading out the lyrics to make sure that she gets the right lyrics. I this may be easier said than done but does she read Brail and is there somewhere you could get lyrics written in brail from? It’s possible that being able to physically touch the lyrics might help her to remember them better as when she gets to that section of the song she will remember what it felt like? The more senses used the better you remember things apparently.

Don’t know if either of these help in any way.

[Guest Teacher]

Hi Eliza,

I think this may help her to keep and feel the rhythm and pulse:

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/metrovibe-silent-metronome/id635739577?mt=8

Instead of clapping try her swing her body gently side to side.Is more natural sometimes than clapping.(Stevie Wonder,Ray Charles style).

Learning jus parts of song,label them as verse or chorus and them put them together will help her to give their own personality to each part of the song and make like a puzzle with it. This may help too with the structure issues.

Hope this helps.

Gael

[Guest Teacher]

Hi Beckie

I don’t have any experience teaching SEN students but I do have a little experience having them as part of a youth group I have run in the past.

What I found with SEN students is they only listen to people that they feel are close to them and really care about them.
That’s why they behave when their parents are in the room.

I know that you are there to teach him something but in order for him to let you do that you might have to gain his trust first, either in conversation and talking to him about what he likes and spending time getting to know him or sometimes bribing works. Either way it’s probably going to require a bit of time and a lot of patience.

I’m no expert though:)

[Guest Teacher]

Ooooooh! Definitely going to look into this. I’ve never been so nerdy about anything in my entire life. I feel like a vowel wizard!