Music Activity #1 - Sing-A-Long

Examples:

Type of modality / Music/Creative Expression
Type of play / Shared Cooperative
Interaction pattern / Intra-group
# of participants required / 2 or more
Equipment/supplies / Lyrics (handout or electronically), Song (music). Music can be played aloud via speakers or done a capella style.
Facilities required/environment / Any setting where participants can be comfortable and hear themselves sing
Precautions / Must have lung capacity for singing/humming. Clapping may also be an alternative

Sequence/Directions (Details of how a to move through the activity from start to finish) This can be less than ten steps of more than ten steps…

1. Gather participants. If using a screen with words, make sure all participants can see the words.

2. Find a song to sing along to based on the individuals participating (i.e. age appropriate).

3. Have lyrics available (printed handouts or electronically similar to karaoke).

4. Begin to play chosen song. Making sure that the music is loud enough and all participants can hear the words. (optional: play song once before to familiarize participants with the music)

5. Participants will sing along in tune to the music (to their abilities)

6. When song is over do it again or choose a different song if desired.

Activity Analysis (What is required of this activity without any adjustments, accommodations, alterations)

Category / Skills
Primary body position / sitting or standing
Part of the body required / vocals
Movement / carrying in the hand and and Grasp: 3-Jaw Chuck (for holding onto the handout paper)
Physical / static: sitting or standing
Cognitive / alertness, attention: divided attention, attention: sustained attention, concentration, reading
Social / relationships: forming (for the people who are singing together), social conduct
Perception / visual and auditory
Communication/language / ability to understand written language, ability to understand signs and symbols, ability to express spoken language,
Self-care / N/A
Psychological/emotional (possible) / joy (from singing and connecting with those who are also participating), fear (if someone is not comfortable with singing or fears being judged), frustration (not being able to keep up with lyrics)

SIMPLIFYING AND COMPLICATING THIS ACTIVITY:

Ways to SIMPLIFY demands / Ways to make more COMPLEX
Cognitively / Karaoke style - have lyrics presented on a screen and a little marker to help keep everyone on track. Select simple songs, such as songs that repeat a chorus several times, easy lyrics, slower songs, ect. / Have participants look at lyrics once before then take away handouts when music starts playing so they will have to try to sing along from memory
Physically / N/A / Require participants to dance, clap, stomp feet, or move from side to side (if using a wheelchair) along to the music
Socially / Smaller/larger groups for those who are shy of singing in front of other people / Have duets and different groups of people singing different parts of a song

Other Comments: It is important to select songs/music relevant to the audience that one is working with so the activity is meaningful and enjoyable to participants. For example, playing Al Green and Roy Orbison for an older group of people. When selecting music, keep in mind people connect to music that they heard in their late teens and early 20’s throughout the remainder of their lives.

1