Third graders at Highland Ranch Elementary School contribute to the 34 languages spoken at home. Our students are proud to represent many different cultures, religions, developmental stages, financial backgrounds, and languages. It is an honor teaching in such a diverse and blended community where our families join together to learn and grow. Full inclusion fosters acceptance and empathy for all walks of life. In a state where the mental health needs of our students has outnumbered the amount of counselors in schools, music can serve as an emotional regulator. According to the National Library of Medicine (2020), "Learning how to play a musical instrument can enhance individual self confidence and self-esteem." Providing flutophones to every third grader at Highland Ranch Elementary School will help introduce our students to the basics of reading music through critical thinking, rhythm, patterns, and persistance.
"Participation in group music activities can help adolescents develop teamwork skills and provide a robust sense of belonging and shared accomplishments" (Cores-Bilbao, E., 2019).
Imagine hearing a melodious sound as every third grader produces the same sound and the same time. What greater feeling could there be? The sense of accomplishment through hard work and practice is the goal of the third-grade teachers at our diverse neighborhood school. Not only will students be able to hold a flutophone with the correct fingering as well as produce appropriate sound and volume, students will also be able to identify and play the seven main notes while collectively creating a harmonious sound following a 4/4 beat.
It is my goal to provide all third-grade students an opportunity to experience the joy in which music can produce. Who knows, perhaps it will change a child's mindset! Even better, perhaps it will promote a life-long passion and love!
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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 Ms. Clyborne and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
