Past projects 2
Ukuleles for music literacy!
Funded Jun 18, 2016The first day of school, I was excited to tell my fourth grade students that this year in music, we would be learning to play the ukulele! I could see the excitement in their faces! The ukuleles did not arrive the first few weeks of school, but that didn't stop the fourth graders from asking me "did the ukulele's come yet?" Finally, one day, when they asked, I couldn't hide my excitement. I was happy to tell them the ukulele's had arrived!
The first day they walked into my classroom and I had the ukulele's set up and ready to go, you could hear in their voices how excited they were to play these new instruments. I told them that we were going to start learning how to play them, and I have never seen them as excited to have instruments in their hands as they were that first day.
My students already loved music class, but now they get to learn about something they love while learning to play a versatile instrument that they could potentially continue well beyond their time with me in elementary school. Having an instrument in their hand is a direct connection to what they are learning. We do a lot of music theory, and learning to read music, and having this resource of ukulele's will help them make that connection and make it a meaningful experience.
Not only are we going to use the ukulele's in fourth grade music class, but we are going to feature them in our annual Spring concert. The chorus will be performing some Hawaiian choral tunes, and we are going to incorporate the ukulele's into the performance this year as dedication of our new instruments.
The ukulele's have given my students a fresh music experience that is unlike any other they have had in our school. They are excited, and so am I. I can't to continue teaching them how to play these instruments, and watch them grow as musicians, and as kids.
Thank you so much to all of the donors that donated to this project. Without your generous donation, we would not get to have this experience. My students and I are very thankful for kind people like you in the world.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Pugliese
This classroom project was brought to life by #BestSchoolDay and 35 other donors.Orff Instruments for Creative Learning!
Funded Mar 11, 2013Thank you so much for your generous donations to my project. When I told my students how I got the instruments, and the materials to fix the instruments, they were amazed. They were so excited and humbled that anonymous people (to them) donated money to make their music classes better. They were excited to test out the instruments that I had fixed up, and play with the new one I got. They were also excited because I got the stands for the bass instruments, and now they can help me put those away and move them around the room. (they are heavy and those stands makes moving them so much easier!)
In my ideal classroom, students would use instruments every music class. In reality, with class sizes increasing, it has become much more difficult because I don't have enough instruments for all students to use them (even with putting two kids on an instrument!) These resources have allowed me to fix up several instruments and put them into working order. Because I have more instruments to use, I can reach more students with them. I am excited to begin next school year knowing my resources have grown for my students.
With the resources I know have, I will be able to use some lessons that I haven't been able to use recently that the students have loved. Any time they get to play their instruments, their eyes light up. They love music class, and making music. I am so excited that I can share your generosity with them, and have my program at my school be stronger than ever.
Thank you so much for your generous donations. My students and I will be forever grateful.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Pugliese