Stepping Up to the Mic for Student Self-Assessment
My students need AudioBox recording equipment to analyze rehearsals and performances, aid personal practice, and create audition tapes for various honor ensembles and colleges.
FULLY FUNDED! Mr. Dyson's classroom raised $866
This project is fully funded
My Students
I used to record myself playing the trumpet on a nifty tape mixer. Think of how far our technology has progressed! My students live in a culture where technology is absolutely pervasive. I want these tools to further musical education. Sadly, many of my students have not had that opportunity yet.
This is my first year teaching at this school and it has become apparent that my students' needs have not been fully met throughout the history of the band program.
In order for them to progress as musicians, they need to have equitable access to suitable resources. Unfortunately, they do not appear to have access to resources of the same quality as their peers from other schools. From what I understand, the music students have experienced teacher turnover in band and strings over the past few years. It appears that increased consistency will help them succeed in the future.
Our school is rich in diversity, allowing for numerous experiences in multicultural education. The demographics of our school speak very loudly. As of 2013, 31.4% of our students are Asian, 31.6% are Asian/Pacific Islander, 34.1% are African American, 16.6% are Hispanic, and 15% are White. 63.4% of our students are enrolled in the free/reduced lunch program.
My Project
This equipment will enrich my students' education in a number of ways. To begin, I believe strongly in students' critique of their musical performance. My students would evaluate the performances of their peers and themselves regularly. They would do so through rubrics, brainstorming, short response, and even essay writing. I don't want my students to understand music alone. I want them to be able to articulate it!
Secondly, my students would use this equipment in their pursuits for increasingly rigorous performance. They would do so by auditioning for extra-curricular ensembles. Eventually, they would even audition for college music programs. This equipment would give them a way to tape their auditions. Lastly, recording equipment would open up pathways towards enriching student creativity. Encouraging students to create music through composition is a wonderful way to bring music education to young people. By recording their music, my students document their creative progress.
There are many ways to expand and enrich music education in our schools.
Engaging students at an intellectual level through creativity and peer critique are two ways of doing that. By making donations to this project, you will help ensure that these students have rigorous ways to engage in music. Not only will they document their art, but they will develop the critical thinking skills needed to better understand and appreciate the arts for the rest of their lives.
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
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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. Dyson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
