I service the budding, little Mozartians from preschool age to 6th grade at two schools. As their music teacher, I'm always figuring out ways to lead them through "the mystery of music class” with joy full of surprises. Our students become fluent in Singlish as they enter the wondrous land of Sing-a-Lore each day. They come away dancing, singing, and moving to music comprehending the phrasing, structure, and timing behind it. They explore the textures of sound while learning the symbols, style, and art behind it. Their beat work causes their minds to expand, and their focus to increase while feeling its elements. They learn to incorporate all kinds of subjects from literature, spelling, math, history, and science while enjoying the beauty of the arts surrounding them.
My Project
As a teacher, I have learned that flow in a lesson keeps students' attention. There is nothing worse than feeling like you don't have enough planned for a class. I am asking for these resources to aid me in creating a toolbox of ideas where this can occur. I don't always feel like I have the best ideas for arrangements of instruments, or have enough songs ideas for different occasions and holidays. I grew up studying the violin and playing in orchestras. I am now teaching general music and am expanding my knowledge base in that area. These materials will give me ideas and make me more crafted in this new venture. They will aid me in discovering what is out there, tried and true, by some of the most successful educators in my field.
What I am asking for are arrangements ideas for specific instruments, games, and movements ideas that help me make the learning process more fun, DVD/CD's with music and dance movements I have not myself heard of or seen, and coordination activities to help me be successful at teaching harder musical concepts.
When you don't yourself know yet enough about a particular subject, studying new ideas helps draw them out when needed. For instance, drum and ukulele books come with rhythmic patterns and melodies I have never heard or myself mastered, chords I have never once played, song arrangements for understanding Orff instruments better, recorder music that covers unfamiliar territory and new fingering.
A wide toolbox will deepen my knowledge base and develop my own skill so I can be a more effective demonstrator. All of these resources contain a myriad ideas for arranging and teaching by those who have paved the path before me. What better way than to learn from the Masters?
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Coleman and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
