Feel the Beat, Move Your Feet, Jam Out to the Rhythm!
My students need a variety of rhythm instruments, including a tubano, a hand drum set and mallets. These will be used with all ages to teach notation, improvisation, timbre, pitch, tempo & dynamics to name a few.
What better way to get kids excited and eager to learn about music than playing colorful & fantastic sounding drums? The students do not have rhythm instruments. Drums are a great start! Many concepts can be taught w/percussion. Rhythm can be used to reinforce all areas of academics.
I accepted the music position at a large rural school in Missouri.
I have cleaned out every corner of the music room and have found a huge lack of many basic teaching tools. It is my understanding the music department has not thrived the last couple of decades. Currently, the students do not like music. I intend to change that!
The school poverty rate is 62%. The average family income for this area is $28,594 annually. 38% of the community rents their living quarters at an average of $550 per month. Nearly 23% of their income is spent on rent alone. 98% of the students are white and just over have of the students come from a divorced family. Despite these stats, 93% of students meet or surpass state assessment in all subjects.
I met a few students at summer school. They seem excited to have a new music teacher. They seem to be curious & interested enough that they are looking forward to being introduced to a world of music that was previously unknown to them!
My Project
The obvious uses for drums in a music classroom are to teach basic concepts such as rhythm, tempo, notation, improvisation, composition, dynamics and pitch. Playing a musical instrument takes coordination, teamwork, self- discipline, and multiple thought processes. When playing rhythm instruments, especially in a drum circle, every student has the opportunity to be a leader.
Music is the only subject that utilizes both hemispheres of the brain simultaneously. Research shows that music students consistently outperform non-music students specifically on math and reading achievement tests. Scientists have found playing an instrument develops new pathways in the brain that are used specifically for math and reading. In the medical field, rhythm is used to improve speech, to calm Alzheimer's patients, decrease heart rate and to improve focus and concentration to name a few
Students that are involved in a music program are more likely to stay in school and continue on to college.
I want my students to love music!
A love for music starts at a young age. I intend to use the drums to capture my students attention and make them long to learn more. Drums are the most user friendly way to get all students actively involved and engaged in class. Making music together changes people and how they interact with one another in other venues.
Music is all around us. Music communicates our emotions when words cannot. Music brings us together. Music lasts a lifetime!
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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. Schneider and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
