I teach about 500 students from PreK - 6th grade. These students participate each day in lessons that work on their creativity, their ability to work as a team, and their musical skills. Due to COVID last year, our students were unable to use instruments. This year we are pushing the limits to how many instruments we can learn about and use. As I greet my students at the classroom door each day, I'm asked the question: "What are we playing today?"
I love that my students are excited to learn.
They are excited about all things music: singing, instruments, and movement. As a whole group, we have found that music helps up learn to work together. We also work on Social and Emotional Learning, and play through music.
As a teacher, my students have taught me that sometimes the best way to learn is to put music on and have fun.
My Project
I currently have 19 Orff Xylophones in the classroom. Thanks to a recent DonorsChoose project, I was able to acquire 8 stands for these instruments. I still have 11 instruments that are sitting on shelves or the floor. Each time I need to use these instruments for class, they must be moved by myself or the students into our assigned seating area.
It takes approximately 10 minutes of class time distributing and collecting our instruments.
Right now, students must sit on the floor to play our instruments. Once on adjustable stands, all instruments can be played by students sitting on our classroom stools or standing. This will open up the opportunity for our students that are unable to sit on the floor the ability to play all instruments.
Many of these instruments are heavy for students to carry and some have broken handles due to wear and tear throughout the years. Once on stands, students can easily wheel them into position, allow us to use class time more efficiently, and minimize the risk of more damage to our instruments.
My final goal is for all 19 Orff Xylophones on stands. I am currently looking for funding to purchase 5 additional stands to use for some of our broken handle xylophones.
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. Doss and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
