Incentives

NEA Today, Mar 2004 by Strouse, Stephen

I have been assigned to teach a high school alternative special ed class of very unmotivated students. Does anyone have suggestions on what I might possibly do to get these kids motivated?

ANSWER: I am not speaking from experience, but I think the video Stomp would appeal. I would introduce unusual percussion effects and try to get some performing going. Maybe some spoken chorus/rap type pieces-they introduce notation and rhythm. Kids like to perform, and it you can integrate their music into what they are learning, it helps. Music can reach kids that other subjects can't. Let them see your love and passion for the subject.

DAWN PATELKE Hand and choral tendier, Maynardville, Tennessee

ANSWER: I have been teaching middle school special education students for some time. One successful unit was having them edit their own magazine. Each student chose a topic. Some chose music, others cars, another was motorbikes. They wrote reviews, opinion pieces, editorials, persuasive pieces, fictitious letters to the editor, and ads. They added pictures. This unit took most of April, May, and june, but it took little effort to keep them working.

MARSHA LODGE Hebron, Connecticut