Learning Resources

Using folk arts in inclusive settings

 
The sea is an enduring and engaging theme in folk songs. Songs about the life of sailors in the era of sailing ships continues to tickle our imagination into this day. The songs and activities in this resource has been chosen and adapted for working with young people with special educational needs and disabilities by tutors from EFDSS’ Inclusive Folk project. The resource contains three traditional sea shanties with suggestions for activities and a welcome song and warm up activities based on the popular shanty “South Australia”. All songs are presented with scores, lyrics and recordings.

This resource is part of EFDSS’ Inclusive Folk project (2020-2022) which aims at improving access to folk arts for young people with special educational needs and disabilities. The project comprises fortnightly Folk Unlimited music making sessions at Cecil Sharp House, outreach sessions at colleges and settings for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEN/D), the creation of free learning resources for the EFDSS Resource Bank, and training opportunities for music educators.

This project, led by Emmie Ward, with Nick Goode and trainee Flora Dodd, was made possible with the generous support of John Lyon's Charity.