My students need 30 ukuleles to give kindergarten through second grade students the opportunity to practice and play an instrument at their skill level.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. High's classroom raised $915
This project is fully funded
My Students
Can you imagine the impact music education could have on students if they felt as if they were playing the game Rockband in school everyday? This is the atmosphere I am attempting to create in my K-6 general music classroom.
My students range from kindergarten through six grade in a urban public school in Pennsylvania.
The majority of the students come from low income households and inevitably look to school as a second home. Our school is working hard in all areas to create a rigorous academic programs to boost student success. This past year was the first in over fifteen years that the students had at least one music weekly music class.
Our students do not always have a positive attitude towards learning, but I see this as a result of their inability to relate to the specific programs being used. When the students are bored, they begin to have behavior problems and do not take ownership over their own learning. The students are easily excited and could become enthusiastic about learning if we are able to find a way to relate to them wherever they are.
My Project
This year we were lucky enough to receive twenty seven classroom guitars from the Little Kids Rock program. In the last few months of school and during summer school, the third through sixth grade students have really been rocking! The problem has been that I cannot introduce the guitars at a younger age because they are simply too small! The opportunity to have ukuleles for the younger students to play would get them invested in the music program at their school immediately. Ukuleles are easier to play because of the way they are tuned and students could feel successful after their first class period. Students will learn at a young age how to care for an instrument and the discipline it takes to become proficient. Students will have a outlet for creating their own music, which in my opinion, is the reason to teach music in the first place. We will be able to learn about the history of the instrument and play songs both meant for and new to the ukulele.
If our school is able to receive this donation, I believe my young students will have an outlet for dealing with the many challenges they face, even by the time they finish second grade.
They will become excited about music and playing and instrument. Hopefully this excitement and interest will trickle into all their other subjects, creating a more positive school atmosphere. Maybe it's a little idealistic, but a part of me really believes Uke can change the world, at least my students world.
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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