My students need a class set of hand drums. These drums will be played by the hands of our entire school population - over 500 students, or over 1000 hands!
“Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If a child hears fine music from the day of his birth, and learns to play it himself, he develops sensitivity, discipline and endurance. He gets a beautiful heart.” ~ Shinichi Suzuki
Thunder Hill Elementary serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade.
A wide variety of ethnicities, learning styles, and abilities are represented in our school population, yet one thing unites them - they love music. All students attend weekly general music classes, and all students experience music through singing, movement, instrument playing, speech, and much more. At Thunder Hill, our children are playful, creative, curious, and active. They succeed in music learning through doing. They need hands-on, engaging activities through which music literacy and community building, among other objectives, are essential goals. Through these activities in music class, students are learning to become positive members of our community, as well as young musicians.
My Project
Every student at Thunder Hill will have the opportunity to make music using our hand drums. With the simple tools of hand drums and rhythm sticks, students can begin to create their own music compositions. They can collaborate with peers, using their drums as vehicles for creativity and self-expression.
Integrating core content material, they can take part in "science and sound" experiments, to better understand sound waves, vibration, and sound production. Students will also have the chance to explore sound effects produced by their drums, perhaps to accompany and interpret a children's book through music.
The possibilities of our class set of hand drums are endless - these are only examples of what our students will achieve! While the hand drums will function as musical implements, they will also facilitate an environment of teambuilding, cooperation, and respect. With these drums as a tool for creativity, our students will grow into strong musicians and individuals.
Coming together to make music is one of the most fundamental ways in which students experience a sense of community.
They feel encouraged by their success, and they are proud of their performances. Our students will have the opportunity to grow and learn in these ways, with the addition of enough hand drums for all students to participate together. They will benefit from active engagement in music activities, and their music literacy will support their academic mindsets, impacting our school.
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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. Smith and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.