Social/Recreation Lesson Plan
Activity II: “Music - Do you like to Move it, Move it?”
Objective: Youth will have the opportunity to investigate adaptive ways to play a musical instrument and to let loose and have fun.
Materials Needed:
1. Computer with internet connection and projector
2. Basic musical instruments such as drums, bongos, cowbells, Tibetan singing bowls, xylophones, keyboards, etc. May alternatively use online/computer based instrument for accessibility reasons, or due to unavailability of tangible instruments.
3. Rubber bands, velco straps, etc. for individuals with mobility disabilities (to attach instruments/bells to participants’ hands, feet, wheelchairs, etc.!)
4. Projector or white board to track ideas, answers, and discussion themes
Facilitator Preparatory Activities
· Pick a You Tube video of Mark Goffeney, a man who plays guitar with his feet by searching YouTube for “Mark Goffeney”. Choose a song that you think the participants might relate to.
· Invite a guest speaker who has experience playing music with individuals with disabilities. This can be a recreational therapist, local musician, friend/colleague, or anyone who enjoys playing musical instruments with others and enjoys teaching music as well.
· Read Music as Therapy article: http://www.disaboom.com/music/music-as-therapy-reaching-people-in-ways-that-traditional-therapy-sometimes-cant
Creating Context: Many of you may be thinking “there’s no way I can play an instrument” or “I could never learn how to read music”, but today we’re going to learn about ways to expand our ways of doing things in the traditional way… First we’re going to watch a super-cool video of Mark Goffeney, a man who plays guitar with his feet! Then we’re going to take part in creating some music of our own as a way to relax, unwind, and have fun – playing the instruments in our own unique way.
Procedure:
1. Introduce the activity using the language above under “creating context”.
2. Show the YouTube video of Mark Goffeney.
3. Discuss the following questions as a large group:
· What did you guys think of Mark’s music, and the way he plays guitar?
· Do you currently play a musical instrument right now, either in a band, orchestra, or just for fun? If not, why not?
4. If you have a guest speaker, have them discuss the benefits of music with the group and begin instructing participants on how to play the various instruments that are available. If not, lead this portion of the activity yourself using the “Music as Therapy” article (under “Suggested Facilitator Preparatory Activities” above).
a. Encourage participants to play along to a beat (have one person start the beat).
b. Emphasize to participants that even if it doesn’t sound so great, it’s still a good way to laugh and have fun!