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Mr. Paley’s Classroom Edit display name

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Playing in a school band promotes creative thinking and responsible risk-taking as a team. Besides the myriad of educational research studies that demonstrate that musical training can greatly contribute to children’s intellectual development, including developing language and reasoning skills, a band program would give my students a grouped sense of achievement. Learning to play pieces of music as an ensemble on a new instrument is a challenging, but totally achievable goal. I know from experience that students who master even the smallest musical goal are massively proud of their achievement. Likewise, learning music promotes autonomy and quality craftsmanship and students learn to want to create good work instead of mediocre work and they will apply this to all subjects of study. Performing music brings anxiety and doing so teaches students how to take risks and deal with fear. In groups, students learn how to help each other become successful and reach their potential. Last year by fundraising through Extra-Curricular Tax Credit donations, I was able to purchase 10 clarinets and 10 alto saxophones to start Isaac School District's first elementary school band program. Using classroom percussion instruments initially with the band, I realized how beneficial a real set of concert band percussion equipment would be for my students. While I’ve done a significant amount of fundraising (through 21st Century Community Learning Centers, state arts advocacy grants, and private donors), I am still severely lacking the funds needed to purchase the instruments and materials I need to continue teaching band.

About my class

Playing in a school band promotes creative thinking and responsible risk-taking as a team. Besides the myriad of educational research studies that demonstrate that musical training can greatly contribute to children’s intellectual development, including developing language and reasoning skills, a band program would give my students a grouped sense of achievement. Learning to play pieces of music as an ensemble on a new instrument is a challenging, but totally achievable goal. I know from experience that students who master even the smallest musical goal are massively proud of their achievement. Likewise, learning music promotes autonomy and quality craftsmanship and students learn to want to create good work instead of mediocre work and they will apply this to all subjects of study. Performing music brings anxiety and doing so teaches students how to take risks and deal with fear. In groups, students learn how to help each other become successful and reach their potential. Last year by fundraising through Extra-Curricular Tax Credit donations, I was able to purchase 10 clarinets and 10 alto saxophones to start Isaac School District's first elementary school band program. Using classroom percussion instruments initially with the band, I realized how beneficial a real set of concert band percussion equipment would be for my students. While I’ve done a significant amount of fundraising (through 21st Century Community Learning Centers, state arts advocacy grants, and private donors), I am still severely lacking the funds needed to purchase the instruments and materials I need to continue teaching band.

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