My students need a class set of 30 soprano ukuleles to strengthen music literacy skills and promote self expression at their socially challenging ages.
My students love hands-on learning activities. They are quick learners who are eager to collaborate with their peers to make meaningful music. Their excitement for instrument performance is what drives the positive flow of our classroom.
Though most of my students face daily challenges outside of the classroom they still come to school with a desire to create something they are proud of.
46% of our student population qualifies for free or reduced lunch. My students thrive during creative composition tasks and peer editing/collaborations. Their passion to explore new learning endeavors inspires me to foster their musical growth and expressive outlet.
My Project
Our district currently has two separate K-6 buildings, but next year we will have a K-3 building and 4-6 building. All students from our township in grades 4-6 will be together for the first time in the same building! Everyone is excited to meet one another and build a new music program together.
For our fresh start as a new school we can build a sense of community through the expressive outlet and challenge of soprano ukulele study.
The upper elementary students love hands-on tasks that involve composition and ownership of their music making. They enjoy using hand percussion and pitched percussion (xylophones and boomwhackers). With these instruments we often compose, share, peer edit, and collaborate our musical ideas through these percussion mediums. Though these percussion mediums are very engaging, I am looking to offer a different instrument type for students to experience in preparation for guitar and string courses offered at the higher grade levels.
Being in grades 4-6 is a crucial time for students to express themselves through creative means as they transition into becoming pre-teens. Students need a easily accessible outlet for their emotions that can connect them with other peers. Ukuleles are the perfect tools to help pre-teens develop emotionally and socially through group composition and performance.
The curriculum and national standards both call for singing and movement to be incorporated into all general music lessons. Involving hands-on ukulele study can specifically motivate the males who often feel most music is feminine and who are not enthusiastic to sing. The simple nature of the ukulele will ensure a more comfortable pathway to vocal music in the general classroom setting.
Please help us unite both previous schools into one department of creative and passionate music makers!
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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 Mrs. Dreher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
