RE Meeting 03/02/10

Attendance
Wen Ye : 12.35pm - 3.15pm
Benjamin Wong: 12.35pm - 1.15pm
Benedict Lee: 12.35pm - 3.15pm
Isaac Teo: 12.35pm - 3.15pm


Today we discussed about our objectives of doing RE-SL with GOS.

Objectives for GOS

1. Learn singing techniques
2. Learn new songs
3. Learn new methods to teach future members
4. Perform at a concert/ Release a single

Objectives for RE-SL

1. Learn teaching skills
2. Learn leadership skills
3. Learn organizational skills
4. Learn time management skills
5. Contribute to GOS through fund raising
6. Come up with a final product to raise funds
a. Organize a concert

OR

b. Release a single
7. Learn logistics and planning skills
8. Coordinate between RI and GOS, establish ties
9. Learn interaction skills
10. Create teaching materials for current and future use
a. Score Sheets
b. Pictorial aids
c. Vocal techniques

We selected 2 songs to teach to the Choir.

1. One Song
2. Flying Free

We also came up with a list of warm-ups to teach the children.

Warm Ups (taken from http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/7451.aspx and http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1006032412485)

1. Breathing exercises
a. These are great for getting students to use their diaphragms and warm up their vocal chords. I have my students breath in through their nose, hold for 4 counts, and then let out through their mouths saying SSS (like a snake) I have them do this both as loudly and as quietly as possible. I just tell them to imagine they are a huge anaconda and then the smallest rattlesnake. They enjoy this. They all look silly and they have so much fun that they forget they are warming up. This exercise will help them to warm-up their vocal cords, open nasal passages and open their throats.
b. Breath in through nose, hold for 4 counts, let out through their mouth saying SSS, but stagger breathing with rhythm. (eg. SS-S-S-S-SSSS)
2. Tuning exercises
a. Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Mi-Re-Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-Fa-Mi-Re-Do
3. Vocal Slides
a. Ask how an object drops from a high point to the ground. (Weee------)Then, put a hand up high and pretend to throw something to the ground with a long, slow "loo" until their voices cannot go lower. Then we quietly say, "Splat." The great thing about it is that I can kick them into higher voices by saying, "You didn’t throw it that high!"
b. Mr. Glissando (mentioned on a recent posting)--toss/bounce a stuffed animal and children follow it with their voices. Bring a toy.
4. Voice Flexing Cards
a. They are cards with line drawings on them that the children follow with their voices. They are wonderful for vocal experimentation and range expansion. I gave them a piece of heavy white paper and they drew their own with pencil and then traced it with marker. When they finished, we vocalized each one.

We did research on autistic children. (Taken from http://www.ehow.com/how_2052077_teach-autistic-child.html and http://www.autism.com/families/therapy/teaching_tips.htm)

Autistic children often learn faster with visual aids, rather than words.
Autistic children need a set routine, as they feel safe with a specific schedule. To introduce something new to their schedule, changes must be made slowly and carefully.
Autistic children react negatively to loud noises, and can be distracted by loud sounds. Speak softly to them.
Autistic children learn better through hands on methods(tactile simulation).
Autistic children will modify their behavior if they are rewarded for good behaviour(positive reinforcement)


We will be visiting Grace Orchard School Choir this Friday from 3pm - 5pm.
We will also be discussing with the teacher-in-charge about our objectives. We really look forward to Friday as this will be our first meeting with our community partners! :)

That's all for now,
Wen Ye