My students are in my general elementary music class. I consider my mission here to provide opportunities and build a community that helps students work together and create together no matter where they come from. These students are primarily under-achieving as well, but have gusto for learning! Creativity and music is an important part of their day that often is taken away for math or reading interventions. By providing these experiences and working with the learning/teaching community, I am able to make sure all students can attend most of their music classes each year.
Our students are primarily low-income from diverse backgrounds including: English Language Learners from Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and China, as well as a strong Latino and Native American representation.
Along with diverse backgrounds, also comes a huge gap in life experiences. Allowing my students to experience music and performance at a high caliber will open new doors to escape generational poverty. I also believe in sharing their own cultures and experiences to validate what they each student has to offer our community of learners.
My Project
My music students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade learn folk dances from all different cultures. All of these props will allow these students to perform for a real experience during music class. The ankle bells are for African and Native American dances, the hats can be for line dances and circle dances from Mexico and the U.S.; the spoons are for a Swedish dance in our curriculum.
2nd and 3rd graders present these cultural folk dances at our Spring Picnic Music Celebration, so I need to be able to prop each student!
This has become an event to encourage families to participate in their students' school and provide them with a fun family event that celebrates cultures and student learning. These are props that can be used each year to continue this tradition as well as experiencing music in the music classroom!
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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. McPherson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
