Learn to Sing Do-Re-Mi is a curriculum for learning how to read music by singing. I have created this version out of love for my students with disabilities in order to help other teachers and parents bring the joy of music to their students. Be sure to adapt as needed.
Practice vowel recognition by singing solfège – The solfège method assigns each note in the music scale with a syllable: do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do as heard in the song “doe a deer…ray a drop of golden sun…me a name I call myself.” This curriculum introduces the syllables slowly, starting only with do-re-mi for the first nine songs, giving consistent repetition for students needing practice with verbal skills. I have witnessed incredible verbal growth by students.
Practice doing the hand signs: For some students it can be best for you to do the singing and the student does the hand signs with you. Hand signs are in every song.
Do the motions in the songs with physical movements: The Do-Re-Mi Body Tap song has students tap knees, belly and chest for the pitches. “You are Important” is song is a falling down song students love. It is similar to a ring-around-the-rosie song with better lyrics. Leap for Joy is a jumping song. And remember, these may be the only songs you do for awhile. I use large saucer-sized cut front felt notes in the colors (red for do) that the students enjoy putting on their knees. Repetition is key.
Practice eye tracking – The colors and large print in this edition help students to track the notes and words. I recommend using a print edition so students can physically track the notes. I point for them until they are able to themselves. Even if the student has difficulty tracking with eyes, there is so much to learn by ear.
Reinforce color recognition with Boomwhackers – Boomwhackers are colored tubes of different lengths with a different color for every pitch. Each song in Level One is introduced with the notes being the colors of the tubes. Boomwhackers are easy to tap or play with a mallet. We practice “ready position” and “resting position.” Ready, is holding it up and waiting for every one to be ready. Resting is gently resting the tube on the floor.
Learn about empathy – These songs are great for teaching what it means to have empathy, understand emotions, and appreciate diversity. Remember some students do best with singing only the do-re-mi, but they enjoy hearing the other words.
Combine singing with other therapies and exercises - One method for building additional skills in eye tracking and hand-eye coordination that combines well with music is a program called Bal-a-Vis-X. This program consists of 200+ exercises, each rooted deeply in rhythm. They range in difficulty from one hand passing/receiving a single sandbag to both hands bouncing/catching four racquetballs in a specified sequence. Others combine bags or balls with feet exercises. Each of the exercises in Bal-a-Vis-X address visual tracking deficiencies and auditory imprecision, impulsivity, balance and anxiety issues. See www.bal-a-vis-x.com.