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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Jones from Williamsburg, VA is requesting supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Fully Funded

Mrs. Jones's classroom raised $308

Learning to Play the Guitar!

My students need a nylon string, classical guitar and a chipboard case.

Classroom photo
Mrs. Jones Matthew Whaley Elementary School
Williamsburg, VA Grades 3-5

When I was in the sixth grade, my mom bought a guitar for herself, but never learned how to play it. I taught myself some basic chords and strums, and have found the guitar to be the best way to accompany the singing of my students in my elementary music classroom, because it doesn't drown out the children's voices, and it allows me to focus on my students, instead of a printed page of music. My students are fascinated with watching my fingers as I play, and are eager to learn how to play themselves. I have an assortment of guitars, some that were purchased by our PTA and some that are "yard sale" quality instruments. Some are even baritone ukuleles, so they only have four strings, instead of six. I teach 450 students in grades k-5 general music. About 35% of our students are eligible for free or reduced lunch, and an increasing number of our students are homeless, so their weekly music class with me is the extent of their music education. I begin teaching guitar at the end of the fourth grade, when the majority of the children have enough fine motor strength to hold down the strings. We only learn two chords in the fourth grade, but it is amazing how many songs there are that children can play with only two chords. Last year, I taught my fourth grade students a number of songs that my kindergarten students already knew. Near the end of the school year, my fourth graders would come to the music room, get their guitar, and head off to a kindergarten class to lead a sing along for about 15 minutes. They were so proud of their musicianship and the ability they had to show leadership to the younger children in the school. My fifth grade students use the guitar in their study of multicultural music. We used the guitars when we learned about music of the Caribbean back in November, and are currently using them in our study of Irish music. These students will have the opportunity to play a guitar, if they so choose, in their culminating performance of world music in June. We do have enough instruments, at this point, for each child to have one to use in music class, but, as I mentioned at the beginning of this request, some are in pretty sad shape, and some are not even guitars, but baritone ukes that we use in a pinch. I would love for my students to have guitars with a beautiful tone quality. I know that this will only happen by adding one instrument at a time, but I am hopeful that eventually every child in the class will have access to a good quality instrument.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More than half of students from low‑income households

160 students impacted 5 donors
Mrs. Jones Matthew Whaley Elementary School Grades 3-5

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Williamsburg, VA View local requests

More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

160 students impacted 5donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
AN13 Classical Guitar (Standard) • Woodwind & Brasswind $179.00 1 $179.00
GA10 (Standard) • Woodwind & Brasswind $29.99 1 $29.99

Materials cost

$208.99

Vendor shipping charges

 $20.90

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$5.22

Fulfillment labor & materials

$17.00

Total project cost

$252.00

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$55.32

Total project goal

$307.32

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $307.32

4 Donors

-$307.32

Donations toward project cost

-$252.00

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$55.32

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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Project Activity

Project Activity
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Jones and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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