I am privileged to teach K-5th general music. Playing recorder provides an inexpensive means of fostering musical literacy. Additionally, recorders work well with the playing of other instruments and singing and are a nice "cross-over" instrument for students preparing for band or orchestra.
My students are vivacious and they have a contagious optimism that inspires me to keep working hard to meet their curiosity with my very best each day.
Our school has a low socio-economic rate of approximately 96% with a very high percentage of our students qualifying as Limited English Proficient or LEP. For many of my students, music class is the most successful part of their day simply because music as a language is universal. I know that my students will benefit from playing recorder because it is one more way that they can experience and develop music literacy.
My Project
Sharing recorders between multiple students is unsanitary. By providing my students with enough recorders for an entire grade level, I will be able to assign each recorder to an individual child for the year. With proper storage, labels and regular cleanings I will be able to provide my students with a practical application for their development of music literacy without putting the health of my students at risk.
In general music we approach the development of music literacy by singing,dancing, playing both pitched and unpitched percussion instruments, and by listening to and analyzing music.
Playing recorder is an ideal opportunity my students to play a "wind" instrument before entering band in middle school. It is my personal belief that I never know which activity in my class will be the "hook" that sparks a life long love of music. For some, the "hook" may just be a colorful recorder.
Nearly all 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
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