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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Merkel from West Milwaukee, WI is requesting musical instruments through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Merkel is requesting

Music for the Senses!

Help me give my students sensory musical instruments! The instruments I have selected (tongue drums, chimes, singing bowls, and kalimbas) are all easy to play and produce beautiful, soothing sounds that will provide a calming experience!

FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Merkel's classroom raised $478

This project is fully funded

My Students

I teach middle school band in a very culturally diverse and low socioeconomic community. My students come from so many walks of life, and they are brought together by the communal effort of learning to play an instrument and perform as a group. For many, Band is a safe haven and a place they know they will be successful. It is also a place where many thrive even when they struggle in other ways in the building.

I have one class dedicated specifically to students with special needs.

This class meets daily for music instruction. We focus on basic note reading skills and apply that knowledge to playing simple rhythms, melodies, and folk tunes on percussion instruments in the classroom. This class also has opportunities throughout the year to perform what they have learned for the rest of the student body. I find working with students with special needs to be very inspirational and a beautiful opportunity to unite them with their peers through music!

My Project

My students with special needs often struggle with standard band and percussion instruments. They are still developing the fine motor skills and coordination for playing an instrument.

These instruments will provide my students with special needs with a sensory musical experience and a calming atmosphere!

My goal is to create an environment that is soothing while helping my students develop movement and hand-eye coordination, as well as learn to work together as a team to achieve musical outcomes. Instruments like the ones I am requesting are often found in yoga and meditation. My students with special needs will benefit greatly from instruments that allow them to create their own sonic environment!

Mrs. Merkel West Milwaukee Intermediate School Grades 6-8

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

West Milwaukee, WI View local requests

More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

999 students impacted 3donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Mrs. Merkel is requesting.

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Richday Mini Tongue Drum Steel Percussion Hang Drum 11 Notes 10 Inches with Padded Travel Bag • Amazon Business $138.99 1 $138.99
Muslady 5.5 Inch Mini 8-Tone Steel Tongue Drum C Key Percussion Instrument Hand Pan Drum with Drum Mallets Carry Bag • Amazon Business $61.99 2 $123.98
Vangoa 17 keys Kalimba Thumb Piano kit, Rounded Edges Electric Kalimba, Portable Mahogany Wood with Tuning Hammer, Carry Bag, pickup and key stickers • Amazon Business $33.99 2 $67.98
Dharma Store - Tibetan Tingsha Cymbals - 6.6 cm - OM Mane Padme Hum Symbols Embossed • Amazon Business $11.90 2 $23.80
Meditation Tibetan Singing Bowl With Mallet & Silk Cushion & Carry Bag. Palm-Size 3.2" For Meditation, Chakra Healing, Prayer, Yoga - Your First Singing Bowls Set From Nepal • Amazon Business $15.99 1 $15.99

Materials cost

$370.74

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$5.56

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$406.30

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$71.70

Total project goal

$478.00

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $478.00

2 Donors

-$478.00

Donations toward project cost

-$406.30

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$71.70

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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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. Merkel and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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