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This teacher needs your help!

Mr. Smith from Chicago, IL is requesting supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Fully Funded

Mr. Smith's classroom raised $322

Spice Up the Beginning Orchestra

My students need some rhythmic percussion instruments for our music classes, including shakers, cowbell, tambourine, guiro and other fun stuff!

Classroom photo
Mr. Smith profile photo
Mr. Smith Mather High School
Chicago, IL Grades 9-12

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

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

My students are just beginning their musical journeys. They have come from far and wide to be with me, and we make the most of our time together during the day.

My students come from literally around the world.

Our school is in a very ethnically diverse neighborhood in a large city. We have 80 languages spoken in the building. It is not uncommon for me to have students in front of me who have been in the country for just a few days. This year I have students who have recently arrived from Iraq, Haiti, Thailand, Korea, Philippines, Mexico, Burundi, Guatemala, Pakistan and India. My school is a non-selective neighborhood school which means that we admit all of the students within our geographic boundary who have not gained acceptance to a selective, magnet or charter school. We have an awesome, dedicated faculty, good administrators and terrific kids. Unfortunately, most come in without any prior musical training so we start the high school-aged kids from square one. The good news is that, because of their age and motivation, we can often move very quickly.

My Project

I am very fortunate to have a job that I love. I get to conduct 5 string orchestra classes per day! Because of our situation, almost all of our kids start at the beginning of the year with no experience. No matter- I introduce instruments, the kids pick and off we go. All of my classes are completely mixed. I have freshmen through seniors, special ed, kids of all types, English language learners of differing levels and a handful of kids with physical limitations. Because of some of the obstacles that we encounter, some kids really struggle with learning a stringed instrument. I constantly strive to find ways for them to participate even though they might not have the coordination or motivation to learn the violin, viola or cello. I often will have kids play accompanying figures or patterns on rhythm instruments. In our performances, it is not uncommon to see a large string orchestra and then have several kids shaking maracas, playing hand drums or beating triangles.

This project will help insure that every kid can participate in the orchestra regardless of ability.

For most of my students, my high school orchestra class is the only time in their lives that they will have formal instruction in applied music (the actual playing of an instrument) having the option of some easier instruments that can be used by the kids who might feel overwhelmed by the traditional strings can really help to include everyone.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households

186 students impacted 8 donors
Mr. Smith Mather High School Grades 9-12

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Chicago, IL 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

186 students impacted 8donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Rhythm Set 15-Piece • Woodwind and Brasswind $139.99 1 $139.99
Performer Plus Pack • Woodwind and Brasswind $99.99 1 $99.99

Materials cost

$239.98

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$3.60

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$273.58

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$48.28

Total project goal

$321.86

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $321.86

4 Donors

-$150.93

Donations toward project cost

-$128.29

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$22.64

Matching donations from our partners

-$170.93

Match offers toward project cost

-$145.29

Match offers to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$25.64

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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Project Activity

Project Activity
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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 Mr. Smith and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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