Klarinet Archive - Posting 000956.txt from 2004/03
From: "Thomas" <thomas@------.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] not just the music department
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2004 14:59:00 -0500
Dave Blumberg wrote: >>I was judging Regional Band Auditions several years
ago and I remember getting a note from a Mom asking if her Daughter could
have extra time
alloted to her previewing the sightreading piece due to a vision impairment.
All I remember of it was sending the note to the head of the Audition's
asking "what the hell do we do with this???"
The other issue that I though of with it was "ok, if the kid can't see the
music very well, how will she see the Director? " <<
Dave, it has nothing to do with vision. It has to do with information
processing speed, and seeing the conductor isn't the issue. Some kids need
an extra second or two to think. My son has real retrieval problems with
information. He and another "NT" (neurotypical, aka "normal") child will
both study for the same test. They will both know the material. Ask them
both a question and snap your fingers. The other kid will beat him to the
answer every time. My son can't come up with things right away, the
processing takes a little time. It doesn't mean he doesn't know his stuff.
It doesn't mean he is stupid, either.
Music is a totally different animal, it does not process the same way as
information that is based in language. It is actually much easier to
process musical information, which is why not having it as a part of the
core curriculum in EVERY school is probably even somewhat harmful to the
kids. Of course, you can't tell adminstrators that. They would think we
were all nuts. But you explain how it is that music speaks to so many
children who are learning impaired, or physically impaired, you tell me how
they can do it?
As for sight reading, I have also judged (same district as you), and they do
give enough prep time for someone to check out sight reading at District
auditions that the child should have had enough time to process with a
minute's notice. This was from a parent who didn't know any better. Her
band director should have explained that to the parent. If My kid can do
sight reading within the normal time parameters, believe me, ANYone's kid
can. Outside of that, If the child had an IEP that specified extra time
allowed for doing specific tasks (ie testing, which you could probably
consider sight reading a test of sorts), the PMEA and the school where
auditions were held could have very possibly been sued (and lost) had they
not let her had an extra minute, since their activities are done on state
property.
Dave: >>I don't believe in mainstreaming as it slows down the higher
learners. To undereducate the smart as well as overeducate the slow is just
wrong! Teach them both at their own levels.<<
Well, Dave, my son is on grade level in math. But he needs extra time for
tests. So what's his level? Do you think he's dumb because he needs an
extra second or minute to finish a math problem? Should they dump him in
the SpEd dumping room? Do they time you on your job, now that you're out
in the working world? Of course not. It's not overeducating. It's
providing the appropriate services so that the children can access the same
education as you or me. They ARE teaching him on his level. It IS
appropriate for him to be in a mainstream class. It is NOT appropriate for
him to be in a special ed room where the children are emotionally disturbed
or mentally retarded. You tell me what we should do.
Lynn
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