My Students: I teach core music through an integrated program to high-needs students grades 6-8 in a middle school. Many of my students are special needs students.
My students excel thr...
My Project: Our students have a great interest in instrumental music and learning to play an instrument has contributed to honing their ability to focus and to develop task perseverance. ...
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My Students: I teach core music through an integrated program to high-needs students grades 6-8 in a middle school. Many of my students are special needs students.
My students excel through hands-on learning, and music education has shown to be exceptionally valuable in helping them develop skills crucial to academic success. Our goal the coming year was to purchase a class set of guitars, an instrument my students have a great interest in learning to play, but due to severe, increased citywide budget cuts, we find ourselves without the funds to purchase them.
I need a class set of instruments in order to continue the work I have begun. The students began playing recorders and percussion last year, which continued into this year, and I had hoped to have them progress to a more advanced instrument. They are continuing their music education, of which music literacy is a crucial component. In order for them to become proficient at reading music, they have to have a means by which to use it either through vocal music or through instrumental music.
My Project: Our students have a great interest in instrumental music and learning to play an instrument has contributed to honing their ability to focus and to develop task perseverance. These skills are skills that my students severely lack and their development has shown to be crucial to their academic success in core subject areas. This success is evidenced in their ability to transfer these skills to core curricular areas across the board.
As expected, whenever there are budgetary concerns, Arts Education is the last priority, and as such, it takes the hardest hit when administrators are creating financial designations for the upcoming school year. My students and I understand that this is out of necessity which is why I take this time to approach the generous supporters of Arts Education at Donors Choose when my students and I are in dire need.
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My students need 25 guitars to begin the new school year in September.
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Dear Jonathan Coulton, SOPHIA, Ms. Layne, Sophia's Grandmother, Cosmo, Jessica R., Ms. McCray, Amanda, Maya, Brad, Melody Allen and Anonymous Donors,
Well we have received the guitars and they are beautiful! The students have been so excited and have been working diligently completing all the preliminary legwork needed prior to their handling the instruments. The guitars have been a wonderful incentive and now that the students are handling them and have begun instruction, their focus level has gone up at least 50%. As you can see in some of the photos, students are tutoring their peers on the main parts of the guitar (which I prepared a PowerPoint on, and which they further researched as part of a project) as well as the the proper technique for holding and playing the guitar. It really has been wonderful to witness. The guitars have also provided an incentive to other students who are notoriously non-functioning: they are attempting to get themselves on track so that they too can begin guitar instruction. It is really heartwarming to see the students both so appreciative (as you will see from their letters), and so focused on learning. The students have been given a powerful learning opportunity that they would not have had were it not for the generosity of people like you. Thank you all for being a part of our extended classroom and for making a difference.
With gratitude, Ms. Casalta
Nov 8, 2010Project Fulfillment Team a staff member at donorschoose.org
Purchased the resources for Ms. Casalta's classroom and notified the school principal of delivery.
Dear Jonathan Coulton, SOPHIA, Ms. Layne, Sophia's Grandmother, Cosmo, Jessica R., Ms. McCray, Amanda, Maya, Brad, Melody Allen and Anonymous Donors,
I am so overwhelmed by the generosity of all our donors. The students and I did not give up hope that in zero hour our project might be funded. Well, we were not disappointed. It is so inspiring to see that there are so many of you who still believe in and who support arts education in public schools. It is wonderful to watch our students enjoy hands-on instrument instruction with recorders and percussion: imagine watching their enjoyment while learning to play the guitar, an instrument they wanted to learn but never dreamed they would have the opportunity to play. Once again, we are humbled by your generosity and your support and when we return to school on Monday, I want the students to read each donor's message. We are truly honored to have all of you in our educational life as part of our extended classroom. God Bless you all!
"Thank you Brad and Maya for thinking of us and for supporting our project. We are truly fortunate to have you be part of our classroom. I have been keeping the students up to date on the project and we are still holding out hope that wonderful people such as yourselves will reach out to help us. God Bless you both!"
"To all our donors thank you for your continued support. Don't leave us yet please tweet this project on Twitter and post it on your Facebook page. We only have 5 days to go to complete the funding for our guitars. Pleas pass this project alone to everyone. Thanks!"
"Special thanks to one of our teachers Ms. McCray for your support on every level as well. You are another one of our teachers that gives her all everyday to the students, and this is example of your selfless generosity. Thank you on behalf of myself and the students. God Bless."
"We are truly blessed! Thank you so much for helping us out and supporting our music program. Most especially thank you for understanding the importance of music education both in schools and in life."
Oct 27, 2010A donorgavein honor of SOPHIA
"I gave to this project because I play the mandolin and think music should be available to everyone."
Oct 27, 2010A donorfromFloridagave
"I gave to this project because I have witnessed the development of enormous talent, the achievement of higher grades and renewed self-confidence through musical education."
"A special thank you to one of our staff Ms. Layne for being so generous on every level. You know the kids and I both love you for all that you do everyday. Your support for our program on every level is invaluable. God Bless you."
"Thank you so much to all the donors who have given so generously to our guitar project. This has been such a wonderful surprise---we were beginning to lose hope that this would not get funded. You have all renewed our faith. However, we aren't there yet. We are under the wire time-wise so please pass this project on to friends and family who have the desire to help us. Once again thank you. We are so lucky to have you all as part of our extended classroom."
"I gave to this project because music, with it's ability to unify and change lives, is one of the most amazing forces in this world, and I believe everyone should have the opportunity to be a part of that."
Oct 25, 2010A donorfromCaliforniagave
"I gave to this project because no child should be left out. Everyone should have access teachers as well as instruments. If they have the desire to learn give them every chance to succeed. "
Oct 24, 2010A donorfromNew Yorkgave
"I gave to this project because I wanted to honor Jimi Hendrix but because I didn't have an email address, couldn't do so. So I honor him in spirit. "
Oct 24, 2010A donorgave
"No one should be left behing from learning music if it's in the hearts of the students. A big hug from Chile, SouthAmerica. And to my friend Sophie from NYC for sharing this info. on Twitter"
Oct 24, 2010A donorgave
"I helped because I'm a strong believer in Music education."
Oct 24, 2010A donorfromNew Yorkgave
"I gave to this project because music helps children learn and express themselves."
Oct 24, 2010A donorfromNew Yorkgave
"I gave to this project because I am a high school student who is heavily involved with music, and believe it is a very important part of education. "
"I want to thank the two anonymous donors who have given to our project so generously. My students and I are so fortunate to have people like you share your blessings with us. Thanks for playing a huge part in their music education."
Oct 12, 2010A donorfromNew Yorkgave
"I gave to this project because I beleive in music education."
Oct 11, 2010A donorfromNew Yorkgave
Waiting for Superman
"I helped because I'm a strong believer in Music education."
"Thank you to all who have donated thus far. We are still in dire straits. We have absolutely no funds for our music program. In fact we count ourselves lucky to still have a music program at all, which is due both to the support of my principal and to the generosity of supporters like you. Please continue to help us by donating or by passing this project on to those who support arts education in the schools. Thank you so much for your support."
"Cosmo, thank you so much for reaching across the country to support our project. And you are absolutely correct. The best and most enjoyable way to teach music is through the enjoyment of actually making music. May God Bless you the way you have blessed us."
"Jessica, thank you so much for thinking of us and for supporting us so generously. The fact that you donated because you know the value of arts education in public schools first hand through your own education, reminds me how important music is in the educational life of our students, God Bless you."
"I want to thank the donor who gave in honor of Jonathan Coulton so much for giving so generously to this project. And what you said about the ability of music to change lives is so true. My students and I are so lucky to have someone as special and giving as you as part of our extended classroom."
Jun 10, 2010A donorfromNew Yorkgavein honor of Jonathan Coulton from Brooklyn, NY
"We gave to this project because music can change lives."
Jun 8, 2010John C a staff member at donorschoose.org
Verified the cost of the requested resources and posted this project.
Jun 7, 2010Cynthia S a volunteer at donorschoose.org
Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.
