Whenever we do a composition project in grades 4-6, the kids immediately say "Will ukulele work with this?" They love their ukuleles. Unfortunately, over time, some of these have become damaged and we do not have enough to share two to an instrument. These instruments spark their creative juices.
I teach music in a K-6 public school of 485 students in a town of about 13000 in east central Missouri.
The vast majority of the students are Caucasian, with approximately 1% of the population East Asian, Black, or Hispanic. 51% of our students qualify for free or reduced lunches. My students love performing on instruments. We use recorders, drums, ukuleles, and barred instruments as a means of not only learning to read music, but as a means of improving listening skills, creative skills in composition, and higher learning thinking skills. I would like to purchase 6 ukuleles to replace those that are broken or no longer stay in tune.
My Project
Over the years, ukuleles have been used in a variety of ways in my classroom. In fourth grade, the students learn blues progressions on ukuleles and can accompany themselves with their own creations. Students in fifth grade learn a variety of chordal accompaniments so they can be lifelong music learners and enjoyers. Ukuleles are simple instruments, relatively inexpensive, that can provide a great deal of entertainment. My sixth graders use the ukuleles to enhance their chance music compositions. By plucking the C and G strings, the students are performing a bordun-like pattern similar to borduns used with Orff instruments. These types of accompaniments are simple to use with pentatonic melodies. And, the students feel pride and success in their results.
Because many of my students cannot afford music lessons and have academic difficulties, offering ukulele is another avenue I can use to provide these students with an ability to feel success.
Elementary students enjoy instruments, and using ukulele is a new and different experience for my students. Imagine these students learning enthusiastically, not realizing they are also learning and utilizing their brains in ways that will help them in their other academics!
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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 Dr. Stafford and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
