This page shares a selection of activity resources and tools for elementary general music classrooms (and beyond). All of these items and more are demonstrated or explained during our PD sessions.
Free download: A Song In Your Pocket activity book by Jessica Corwin. Fifteen tried-and-true, song-based, imaginative and playful activities for the meaningful inclusion of non-speaking children in an elementary general music classroom. PDF with music notation, links, and ready-to-print choice boards by Josie Silva.
Google Sheet: Keeping The Beat playlist. We have curated this list of recorded songs over several years featuring non-classical performers and varied genres to support culturally responsive and inclusive music education. These songs are all within or close to the tempo range of 120-138 beats per minute.
Free download: Body percussion choice cards. Print at least three sets, cut out pictures, attach to colored paper backing, and laminate. Use for alternative music notation composition projects and more. Detailed instructions for constructing durable choice cards are found on our blog.
Free Download on MakerWorld: Rocket ship shakers 3D print profile by Jen posting as Plum Studio. This design was originally inspired by Stephanie Leavell’s Rocket While You Rock It movement activity, but they are useful for so much more! Jen creates these rockets with a variety of dried grains and fill levels for varying sound qualities, volumes, and sensory experiences.
Note: the items in the dropdown lists below all contain hyperlinks.
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Spiral hair ties with key ring attached
Bubble ball— durability concerns, know your audience!
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Recording buttons— our favorite for learners with low motor control. They are a large target, click easily, and have reasonable sound quality.
Recording buttons— our favorite for preventing accidental re-recording. Rechargeable with reasonable sound quality.
Knee tambourine— attaches with velcro to student wheelchair or body.
Adaptive mallets for drums and xylophones
Silicone grips for improving holdability of mallets, maracas, shakers and more
ChordBuddy for guitar
Ukulele chord aid tool, similar to ChordBuddy
Tinkertar single string learning guitar
Jam block— extra loud percussion for students with low motor control
Sand hammer— easier to grip than egg shaker shape
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Desk bells (colors don’t match others)
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A few disability influencers we like and continue to learn from:
Em Hammond a.k.a. NeuroWild: autistic and ADHD speech pathologist and comic artist on Facebook, Instagram and website.
Kaelynn Partlow, an autistic advocate and therapist on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tiktok. Click here to read our statement on Kaelynn and nuance.
The Cheetham Sisters, Hannah and Becky on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
Zach Anner, comedian/speaker/author with cerebral palsy on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and website.
Kyrus Keenan Westcott, a.k.a. The Vibe with Ky, mental health advocate with ADHD, depression, anxiety and OCD on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and website.
