For the past four years, my students have had the opportunity to learn to play the guitar. The guitars came from another school that was closing. They lack quality and are very old. I do my best to maintain them, but soon they will be unplayable. If this program is to continue, we need new guitars.
I teach in an inner city public school in Massachusetts serving 502 students in grades PK-4.
The department of education statistics show that 82% of our population have high needs and that 77% of our families earn low income. I am proud to be a member of a staff that is kind and nurturing. We work together and it is our goal to make the kids feel as if they are part of a family. Kids like coming to school. We push them to do their best.
My Project
My fourth grade students love the guitar. Right now I have 25 instruments, so that each student has one. Each guitar has a name given by the original group of students who first used them. The name is written inside the sound hole. Each student "adopts" a guitar that is theirs to use in class for the entire year. They are taught to treat the guitar like a "baby." This imagery causes the students to form a relationship with the instrument and helps to protect the guitar from damage. Students who have friends or older siblings, often request a guitar by name. Each new guitar will be named by the students.
During class kids learn to play chords, strums and riff patterns to accompany singing. We play both folk and popular music. Kids are invited to suggest songs and to share what they know with other students. Sometimes they play in an ensemble groups with other instruments. They also play at school events and assemblies.
Learning music and how to play an instrument has both social and academic benefits; it instills discipline, builds confidence and self-esteem and it is important to cognitive development.
Kids who are involved in a quality music program tend to do better in school and score higher on standardized tests. The guitar has wide appeal, is relatively inexpensive and easy to play. It can be played as a solo instrument or as part of a band. The guitar can be enjoyed for a lifetime.
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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 Ms. Squeglia and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
