Yeshima's Proposal

Population:

Elementary students in a self-contained classroom

  Age Group: 

   6-10 years old

  Target Audience: 

   Special Education teachers and students

Description of Project:

For my service-learning project, I want to create a group drumming experience for an elementary self-contained classroom. The goal of the project is to utilize drum circle facilitation techniques that will help improve the social and emotional well-being of the class. My contributions could include facilitating drum circle activities and training students and teachers how to facilitate the drum circle based upon their specific needs.

Rationale:

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected school environments, students, and teachers. More and more students are seeking counseling services, feeling isolated, and are depressed. Drum Circle Facilitation is a researched field that serves to improve mood, collaboration, and communication skills among group drumming members. This project aligns with our class objectives of demonstrating foundational knowledge and applying concepts regarding, disability, accessibility, inclusivity, age-appropriateness, Universal Design for Learning, and Social Emotional Learning. The resource will benefit students by enhancing their mood, social skills, and confidence among many other indicators. As for my personal benefit, I believe it will increase my understanding of students and their abilities who have been classified as needing a self-contained classroom

 Prior Experience: 

-25 years of teaching music

-5 years facilitating drum circles to various populations throughout the United States, Canada, and Costa Rica

-Certified to facilitate drum circles through Village Music Circles, Beat the Odds, and Remo Health Rhythms

-Presented original research on the social and emotional benefits of group drumming online and in-person at the Asian Rhythm Facilitator’s          Conference and at the Percussive Arts Society International Conference 

 Experts to Consult:

Marian Foster: Self-Contained classroom teacher
  Nellie Hill: Drum Circle Facilitator-USA
          Simon Faulkner: Drum Circle Facilitator-Australia
          Drum Circle Facilitator’s Guild