My name is Mrs. Madison and I have been teaching music for 5 years. This year, I have had the honor and privilege to returning to the very elementary school that gave me my first taste of being a music maker. I am so excited to give back to my community, and to create the same amazing opportunities that were given to me a a student.
This school is bursting at the seams with a love of all things music.
As a music teacher, I see every student in the school at least once a week. Additionally, I have over 50 students who sacrifice their own recess time to participate in Advanced Chorus and Ukulele Class. In our limited time together we sing, dance and play instruments. I have even had students perform the National Anthem at a Harlem Wizards game! My students are amazingly motivated, and are thirsty for even more musical opportunities. I hope to give them those opportunities with the help of DonorsChoose.
My Project
I recently had the opportunity to attend a professional development on a program called "The Modern Band". This program, spearheaded by an organization called Little Kids Rock approaches learning music like learning a second language. I plan to give my students the opportunity to perform music from their generation, as well as music from previous generations, live on a variety of instruments. This program broke down music learning in an easy and accessible way, giving me the tools to get students playing real songs on day one in the classroom.
The keyboards and microphones you will help me purchase, along with the ukuleles I already have in my classroom, will serve as the foundation of "Modern Band" instruments for my students to play.
Using these instruments, they will learn how to read music using iconic and standard notation, improvise on a variety of instruments, compose music, and most importantly, perform a variety of music in a variety of styles for their school and community. This program will help me reach even more students by providing opportunities to perform culturally relevant music. Hopefully, students who aren't typically engaged in the traditional band, orchestra and chorus ensembles will have doors of opportunity opened for them in the "Modern Band" setting, creating life long learners and lovers of the arts.
This program doesn't serve to contrast traditional music instruction. It is simply another means to reach all students, a form of differentiated instruction. I strongly believe in bridging the gaps in the music classroom and finding ways to make all student love all kinds of music. I am confident the Modern Band program will do just that, giving my students a deep and sincere love for the arts as they continue their musical journeys in middle school, high school and beyond.
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 Mrs. Madison and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
