Ayla Avilez

LEI 4724

Activity: Musical Masterpiece

Source: http://www.thewritestuffteaching.blogspot.ca/2014/05/a-bright-idea-for-using-arts-toteach.html
Equipment Needed: music source, music playlist, paper, colored pencils, and desks
Activity Description: This activity teaches individuals to accept others and their ideas, since they
will all collaborate on each others papers. The group size should be between 10 to 20 people
participating.
1. The music will play for 5 minutes, as the participants draw anything on their paper with a
pencil while standing.
2. After the 5 minutes the leader will stop the music and instruct participants to move
clockwise to the next desk.
3. Once the participants have gotten to the desk, the music begins.
4. Participants will now ADD to the original drawing (they should do their best work and
the drawings should be appropriate).
5. Change desks five times and then have the participants go to their original paper.
6. Now have participants choose three colors.
7. The participant will now color their drawing for 5 minutes with music.
8. Once time is up, instruct the participants to move counterclockwise.
9. Begin the music to cue the participants to color the picture at that desk for 5 minutes
(switch five times).
10. Now allow time for the original drawer to add final touches to their masterpiece.
Leadership Considerations:
The leader should keep an eye on participants who are worried about the outcome of their
original drawing and make sure that drawings are appropriate. Leader could ask a couple
debriefing questions such as: What were some things you noticed during the activity? Was this
activity frustrating for some? Or was it really fun/interesting? What are some things you now
appreciate about the members of this group?
Adaptations:
For participants with Schizophrenia, a sharpened pencil/ colored pencil will be a safety hazard,
because there is an increased risk of suicide and they can be violent due to delusional beliefs,
therefore a marker can be used instead. For participants with Schizophrenia, the music should not
be loud or the use of music may be completely eliminated, in order to not overwhelm the
participants with sensory stimulation. For participants with Spina Bifida, the activity should be
conducted sitting down and the papers should be passed around instead. Many individuals with
Spina Bifida suffer from a latex allergy and it is very important to maintain a latex free
environment for them. It is also very important to encourage the individuals and be supportive of
the individuals because they might feel isolated or have low self-esteem. Children with Spina
Bifida may have learning disabilities that include difficulty paying attention, so the steps can be
written down and displayed; or cue words can be used to make sure the child is paying attention.