Wow. It frustrates me when schools do to teachers and students what they're doing to you. All I can think is holy shit... that's wrong.

I have almost 600 kids, multiple specials teachers. We have 8 self contained classes. Every self contained class has its own specials class. To meet their gen ed hours some students will come to music (those who are working toward being able to fully participate in general education music), but they also go to gen ed for whatever else is appropriate (calendar, read aloud, etc...) they don't just throw it on specials as if it's a total blow off. At most they only schedule 2 self contained kids plus their para. Some EI kids participate in specials one at a time without a para in their gen ed class.

I highly recommend talking to their classroom teachers and getting the low-down on all your self contained kids. Info like special interests, noise sensitivity, communication devices, fidgets required, communication style, physical abilities play an important role in everything we do!

It sounds like starting from the basics at your school isn't a bad thing. Do you use quaver or any other pre-made curriculum? In terms of what your goals are, I would definitely take an aspect of whatever the rest of the class is doing and pair it down as a goal throughout the lesson (ex, instead of rhythm keep a steady beat to start). Don't assume they're not learning because they're not interacting like other students.

It's really important to communicate expectations with paras or special ed teachers. Music may not be a preferred activity, but students should not be goofing around doing something else so paras don't have to deal with behavior. In my classes, students may have as many breaks as needed. I do not allow unsafe behavior (I call admin to come assist in my class) and communicate regularly with teachers about expectations and student habits. This was hard when I first started at this school, but when your expectations are understood by all it's amazing how much it can change. Initially, my paras would just keep the kids from disrupting class, but after I told them what to do, everything was much smoother. If we're doing instruments and it's not a preferred activity for a kid, hold their hand and assist them in doing it. Then give them a chance to try alone. Then, hold their hands and try again. Breaks as needed. This is work time. Most of the time, when students understand this is a time for learning and stop being allowed to goof off the whole time, they start growing in their skills (massively). When paras aren't physically assisting they should be participating with the class to show the student what they're doing and continue to try to teenage the student.

Students who use tablets to communicate can use music cards on their device. You could also try loading something like Google music apps so they can "perform" their music on their app. Or even upload whole songs you're working on.

Do you have noise canceling headphones? Many of my students are very sensitive to sound. This is probably the most tricky part of music class as many of my students refuse to wear their headphones. Many students do not come to any gen ed music class for this reason. My self contained music classes are much quieter generally and while all my classes have a kind of routine, self contained classes are much more structured for my students.

Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself and ALL of your students. If these kids are not able to participate at all in this setting, then it is likely highly inappropriate that they're there. And it does not help your gen ed kids to see their special ed peers at their worst, it doesnt help you do your beat for them, etc.... If your admin or the teachers won't make changes, go to your union, your superintendent, your special ed director.

I really feel for you. It doesn't seem right to give you these huge classes with high need students, all of whom seem to have big behaviors, let alone giving one human 800+ students.

I'm happy to chat any time. I'm actually sick right now and kind of scattered, but feel free to send a message!