I teach music to students in Kindergarten through Fifth grade. I teach in an inner-city school where the majority of my students live in poverty and have had a lot of hardships. Despite their hardships, they enjoy learning and work hard to be successful in school.
Over the 11 years, I have taught at this school, I am constantly amazed by the talent, creativity, and passion my students show for music!
I always have high expectations for my students, and every year they meet or exceed those expectations.
My Project
Every year, my students learn how to read and perform rhythms in my music classes. Most of the time, my students practice performing rhythms by clapping or playing on a few non-pitched instruments I have in class. My students love playing rhythms on instruments, but I currently have a limited number of instruments the whole class can play together. This year, I have some classes with thirty students, so students are constantly waiting for their turn to play certain instruments. I also would like to have an instrument that teaches students to play rhythms using both of their hands. Research has shown that musicians that use both hands can help brain growth.
Bucket drumming will not only give every student a "drum" to play but the chance to learn how to play rhythms with both hands using drumsticks.
It will also prepare my students better for beginning band. The bucket drumming will teach my students better hand and eye coordination, concentration, as well as how to hold a drumstick correctly.
I have been wanting to incorporate bucket drumming in my classroom for quite a while now. So far, I have acquired ten buckets and a class set of drumsticks. However, I still need twenty more buckets to have a whole class set. The Teachers Pay Teachers gift card will help me get bucket drumming material for my classes. Teachers Pay Teachers has great rhythm material and beginning bucket drumming exercises. With these materials, I could have my students practice basic drumming exercises and rhythm patterns every music class and work their way up to performing whole pieces for concerts. I think bucket drumming would be an immediate crowd pleaser for everyone!
Nearly all 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
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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. Broderick and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
