"Those who wish to sing, always find a song." This proverb perfectly describes this project! We have our voices and ukuleles, we just need more songs to SING---and STRUM---which will make my students SHINE!
My students attend a K-8 urban magnet school.
We are an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School and encourage inquiry and questioning of how things work and why. The arts are a much-valued part of their education. Students in grades K-5 meet twice a week for general music. Middle school students have an option of being in orchestra or world music.
This year there are 33 wonderful students in the 7th/8th grade world music class. They are energetic and playful, thoughtful and inquiring. They are open to many genres of music from around the world and throughout history.
My Project
I've requested a variety of ukulele song books, perfectly suited for students in grades 4-8! Sixth graders started the ukes about 5 weeks ago and they are progressing SO well! They can do a couple of different strum patterns and know about 6 chords really well. I want them to start choosing their own songs to learn. That way they can choose songs that THEY like and that suit their level of playing. The requested books offer everything from super simple to moderate to more complex chords---something for EVERYBODY! After Fall Break, my 4th and 5th graders will begin their ukulele journey! These books will excite and challenge my young uke players! The two choral pieces requested will continue supplying my middle school world music group with quality literature to sing and play. One piece is from Zimbabwe with percussion and the other is a classic Mozart piece! As a world music class, we are expanding and broadening our experiences through singing and instrument playing!
We are learning the fundamentals in music!
We need to apply our skills directly to real music-making! We practice strumming and finger exercises to help us change chords on the ukes. These songs will get us singing and strumming to some music. In world music we learn to sight sing and how to use our voices. The requested songs will help us apply these new skills to wonderful choral literature! We want to SING-STRUM and SHINE!
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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. Bartolomeo and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
