Some students have separate classes and cohorts all day and only get to come to music class a few times a week due to their scheduling. Edgar, Jose, Tommy, and Tatiana work extremely hard and I try to make sure that 'Fun Music Friday' always falls on a day when they are in class.
My students developed this idea from prior student-led projects and by researching other projects on DonorsChoose.org and the Internet. On 'Fun Music Friday', we usually share our favorite music, play Music Bingo, play Name That Tune, or sing karaoke. Recently, two students, Adam and Jesus, mentioned how engaged my inclusion students were at the end of the last school year when they brought in a Wii for Guitar Hero. The ability to change the levels and ease of it allowed everyone to really enjoy 'Fun Music Friday.' They researched the games and controllers that we would need and even found 'Wii Music' that could be used when I teach the younger students, but yet still had some fun songs for the older kids, too. Some of the songs we play in class come from Rock Band/Guitar Hero, so I was happy to help them get this project going.
We celebrate "Fun Friday" by interacting with each other for social skills. The students will learn to take turns, as well as team building skills. They will encourage each other while playing games and even console each other when someone loses their turn. Since Jesus and Adam brought in and showed me the game last year, I think they have taken leadership roles in the project. A true leader will see the benefit of something for multiple people of ages and ability levels, and they have definitely proven this and, hopefully, this will encourage younger students to stay with music education when they grow older. They are thinking about the future of music at school.
In Their Own Words
Jesus- The goal is to make our "Fun Friday" more fun with guitar hero and Wii Music. The instruments will help students keep better rhythm since that's how they are based. Adam and I even suggest songs to Mr. B because of the game. This can also get younger students hooked on music too.
Edgar- I will learn how to play the guitar. We can have guitar competitions with each other. It will be fun.
Adam- They really enjoyed it last June. It would be great to have everything at school to do it more often
Tatiana- I play the cymbal. I have an important part. Mr. Babecka says my part is the most important. This will help me keep the beat. I will ask my teachers and parents to help out.
Chrystal- I've been helping people at the middle school since I'm a high school student. I can definitely use the drumset in rock band to teach a student to stay on beat. I plan on asking people at church to help us out because I think Adam and Jesus have a great idea. Their idea today is going to help us with tomorrow.
Jesus- We play concerts at school and around town and this will help us play cooler and different music for people and sound better.
Adam- Having everyone in the auditorium to listen to us perform is our school community. I like playing for the school and sharing my experiences with them. Plus it will be really cool for people to hear us play more songs made popular by Guitar Hero and Rock Band.
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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. Babecka and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.