Teaching Music to Students with Special Needs

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of participants regarding teaching music to students with special needs as part of a fieldwork experience. Participants included four preservice music teachers, a music teacher educator, and an inservice music teacher. All of the participants were a part of a long-term field experience. Five self-contained special education classes at a public elementary school served as the fieldwork site for this study. Research questions included: (a) What were the perceptions of the preservice music teachers as to the value of the orientation class in preparation for fieldwork? (b) What were the perceptions of preservice music teachers of their experience as one-on-one teaching assistants during their fieldwork experience in elementary general music classes for students with special needs? (c) What were the perceptions of preservice music teachers of their experience assisting and teaching students with special needs during their fieldwork experience in elementary general music classes for students with special needs? (d) How did the participants respond to the assigned writing activities that were utilized to promote reflective thinking? (e) What were the teacher educator's perceptions about a special needs fieldwork placement for preservice music educators?