This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Listening to music moves your feet. Making music moves your heart. Place a guitar in student’s hands and they will smile. Teach them how to read and make music and you watch the light grow as they feel and create music.
My 6-8 grade music students are fabulous kids from many different backgrounds.
They are eager, creative students that are from all social-economic situations. Family life is not ideal for many due to the economic situations today. Several of my students live with an Aunt or Grandparent. Some have parents in prison and others have parents that are addicted to drugs. Our school has over 60% on free and reduced lunch. Over 60% of our school is African American and we have a large number of Hispanic students. We are a below average/at risk school. We have a wonderful principal and a dedicated group of teachers that work hard to help students succeed. With 18 students per guitar class and only 10 guitars, adding guitars will provide groovy guitar music education.
My Project
Students love to listen and move to music, few learn to read and create music. Teaching children to read, create and perform music is my passion. When you put a guitar in a child’s hands and teach them to read and make music you actively engage kids in learning what they love. I have played the piano, organ and guitar for over 30 years. I read, write and arrange music daily to prepare lessons that will inspire and engage my students to make their own music.
Helping children understand the music they hear every day, to know how the notes and rhythm work, gives them the tools they need to play the music they want to learn and then to create the music that is inside them longing to come out. My student will learn to read music on the staff and understand chord structure. They will play music in ensembles and alone. Students will build a foundation in reading, understanding and playing music that they will treasure for a lifetime.
I have seen music change a child’s life.
I have worked with children that did not fit in and seem to have nothing to live for. Music is inside everyone. Having the tools (guitars and music) to help children find their music, understand it and then create their own is a life changing experience for me and my students. Help me to help them let their music take note and take flight.
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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. Psomas and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.