Could you please give me suggestions on teaching art to the visually impaired & music to the hearing impaired?
I have been volunteering at a center for the hearing and visually impaired in China the past few weeks teaching art and dance classes to the hearing impaired students, and giving music lessons to the visually impaired, and for my last few days here I will be switching things around, and I could definitely use some pointers. The age range of the students is vast; the youngest is twelve and the oldest is probably in her early 60s, but most are in their 20s.
The visually impaired students have astonished me with their beautiful, intricately crafted needlepoint work, so they have a high level of artistic skill and are wonderful at following complex directions, and I am optimistic about teaching them a few art classes. My plan is to try to incorporate as much texture as possible into the art so that they can literally get a feel for it. I am hoping to be able to find an arts & crafts store here that has paints of various consistencies, and items like ribbons, felt paper, buttons, dried flower petals and foam beads. There will only be 13 students in that class, and I’ll have a few people with sight to translate and help me, but I could definitely still use a lot of advice on how to plan out the curriculum. I’ll be teaching them for two full school days. I don’t think we are going to teach them dance…. but if you have ideas, please do share!
I’ll only be teaching the hearing impaired students for half a day, so I don’t have to put quite as much time into the prep work, but once again, ideas and advice would be lovely. My plan is to teach them some simple guitar and piano lessons, first by demonstrating to the group and then working with them individually. Only one of them can read music, so I need to come up with a few songs that are simple enough that they can learn from watching my hands. They are amazingly attuned to the vibrations from music (it’s one of the ways they have learned to dance), so that will hopefully assist them in the learning process as well. YouTube is blocked in China, but if anyone knows of another site that is broadcast here that would show guitar and piano tutorials, could you please let me know, or better yet, post the links? I was thinking I could bring in my laptop to show those videos to the group while doing the one-on-one lessons in another part of the room.
I’m a recent high school graduate, and have previously only ever taught in English and to children, so this is a bit daunting (but really exciting!!!) and I’d be very grateful for any suggestions or advice anyone may have. Thank you in advance!
And to any of my contacts reading this: Ni hao & (((((hugs))))).
~ Peace from the East : )
Jei – your answer is awesome. Thank you!
L ~ your answer was encouraging, and the sites you linked were immensely helpful. I wish I could give you both Best Answer! I’m actually not planning on pursuing a career in teaching, but art, music and dance are passions of mine that I love sharing with others. I absolutely loved my time volunteering in China, and am already planning my return trip!!! It was beyond amazing. It was actually one of the best experiences of my life.
It’s awesome that you are also into teaching art, and if you have the time to spare I encourage you to look into volunteering. I think you are also in the LA area, (based on a previous question of yours I answered) and there are some really great organizations here you could plug into if you had the time like Art Share LA and HOLA. VIP (Violence Intervention Program), Children’s Institute Inc, and the Boys and Girls Club also are often seeking volunteers who can teach art. http://www.heartofla.org/
http://artsharela.org/
Thank you / xie xie L! : )
how to sight read music
SpeedyMusicReading.com
For the visually impaired: Use their sense
of touch. For example, instead of using
paint as color, use it as texture. Concentrate
on the vocabulary of touch. Use words like:
swirl
dab
brush
fast, or slow (use music with these terms)
paint sad
paint happy, etc…
Get in touch with your students’ other senses
through paint, or sculpture.
For the hearing impaired, use the vibration of
music to find beats. Use visual movement
to create a “visual music.”
The idea is to use the senses that people have.
Do not treat them as if they lack when it comes
to creating an experience. Treat these students
as if they communicate differently, and the ideas
should come quickly.
Look at it this way. You are not able to fly, but
you can hold out your arms, twirl around, and tilt
your head to the sky to imagine flight. Same with
your students. Help them to imagine!
Helpful Internet sources:
What Top Musicians Know About Sight Reading Music
I can’t top Jei…haha!
One thing that I learned was to never say never….never set preconceived limits as to what these kids can do….they will continue to amaze you. All I have to say is that it sounds like you have my dream job! Teaching art is my first love! Take pictures if you can, of their work and save your lesson plans for each project. If you can get some one to take pictures of you teaching or working with them these will be as valuable as gold if you return to the states wanting to teach here. Also note that many here in SoCal are looking for teachers that have experience with manderine….not sure if that is what you speak. I am sorry, I have no links to what you are seeking.
Here are some lesson plan ideas from the N.A.E.A. (National Art Education Association….if you can get membership and their magizines, you would not regreat it, they are insightful and up to date in the Art Education landscape and climate.
Best of luck to you!