This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
The day the music died. Well, not exactly, but pretty close. The music is "on it's last legs" in my dance room. We have a terrific CD boombox (originally purchased by a generous donor)that is used so much that it is no longer reliable. The tone fades in and out.
I teach in a school where all the students are eager to move.
I teach dance and theater to Pre-K through 5th graders. We perform for all major and minor holidays. The younger students are presently working on a show for Dr. Seuss's birthday. This will include readings from his works and songs and dances for all to enjoy. The 4th and 5th graders are working on The Wizard Of Oz which will hopefully be presented later this Spring. Although my school is located in NYC, most of my students have never been out of their own small neighborhood, never seen a live performance. My students come from varied backgrounds. The vast majority are from immigrant families trying hard to make a better life for their kids. Very few children have had the chance to experience all that our city has to offer.
My Project
Our Dr. Seuss show and Wizard Of Oz musical rehearsals have basically come to a halt because of the unreliability of our music source. Because of this we have been diligently working on the non-musical portions of the two shows. The readings from Dr. Seuss have been funny, but trying to learn the lines without musical accompaniment to help has really been tough for the little ones. Learning your lines for a full scale musical is, of course, tremendously important. But, if you are not a lead, if you do not have a speaking part, then when it comes time for rehearsals, it is quite boring. And then there are my dance classes. Have you ever tried to dance without music? It just becomes a bunch of kids bouncing about with nothing to give them the beat, tempo or focus. The need for a new boombox has become more and more apparent as the old boombox slowly dies. Frustration on the part of students and teacher alike are the norm in my room. Music, steady beat and tempo = dancing, learning!
My students deserve to have a full scale program for dance and theater.
There should b no pieces missing. I have enjoyed working in my school for over 30 years. I love to see the excitement on the kids faces as they master new steps or when, for the first time, they feel the thrill of performing. With your help my students will be able to fulfill their dreams of showing off their new skills for their friends and families. Without music, none of this could happen. With your generosity, it can.
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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