Past projects 6
Drum Up the Fun with Rhythm Lids!
Funded Nov 27, 2018I want to thank you for supporting music education and funding my project. As soon as I received the drum lids, I went to my local Ace hardware store and asked if they would be willing to donate the 5 gallon pails needed to complete the drums. The manager loved the lids and was more than happy to donate the buckets. When my students tried these drums for the first time, their faces lit up! They were surprised at the amazing sound that these lids and plastic buckets could make. Prior to this the only drums they had ever played had small heads and we're dead sounding in comparison. The school principal saw the value in this program and I was able to get six more lids for a total of 16.
My students are very engaged by the World Music Drumming curriculum and they are making great progress. They are strengthening their musical skills and building character too. They have really become very focused on listening, being respectful and teamwork. They take pride in the musical skills they have learned and they work hard to improve their sound each time they play. I have taken many videos of them and shared them on Classdojo with their families. One second grade group was chosen to perform in a school assembly.
Once again thanks for supporting school music and giving my students the gift of music.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Squeglia
This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous donor and 4 other donors.Dream, Believe, Achieve... Play Ukulele!
Funded Sep 3, 2017First I want to thank you for giving the gift of music to my students. Most of these students would never have the opportunity to take private lessons. They are extremely excited about learning to play the ukulele. They have come a long way since the beginning of the year in learning to be safe, respectful, responsible learners and I am very proud of their progress.
The ukulele is a delicate instrument and so students must take a pledge and sign a contract before being allowed to play. Personification further insures that the students will treat the ukuleles with respect. They are told to treat the ukulele like a baby and that each ukulele needs a name. As part of our school wide behavior program, students earn tickets for being safe, respectful, responsible learners and these tickets can be used to purchase the right to name a ukulele. So far two have names. The first red one in the picture was named "Lebron James" and the 4th instrument is named "Billy." Thirteen more need names.
Thanks to your generous donations my student will have a very special musical experience that they will remember for a lifetime!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Squeglia
Songtales Come to Life for Young Music Students
Funded Dec 6, 2016The children are delighted with the new Feierabend Songtales books! The illustrations are colorful and captivating. They clearly help my students to understand the vocabulary, setting and content of more complex songs. They also helped to bring the stories told in these songs to life. After hearing the songs several times, a group of first graders asked to look at the books in pairs. I was amazed that many of them could sing the songs by reading the books! Our newcomers, English language learners and students of all ages will enjoy and benefit from having access to these beautiful books for years to come.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Squeglia
More Music and Less Noise For Hearing Impaired Students
Funded Jul 12, 2014Thanks to all of you for your generous donations to my project. The students were very excited to see the new rosewood xylophone. We have two other wood xylophones but this one is clearly the most beautiful and best sounding. They were amazed at the rich dark color of the natural rosewood bars. My second graders thought all wood was blond in color until painted or stained.
This project has brought attention to the needs of our hearing impaired students. The addition of the new instrument increased the ratio of wood instruments to metal. One less metal instrument is clearly an improvement. I have spoken to parents and members of our PTO about perhaps funding more instruments.
Students are becoming more sensitive to the importance of playing musically. They are more aware that playing too loudly in an ensemble situation creates a noisy environment. By playing softer they are able to listen to each other more. The result is a better ensemble.
Once again, thanks from the bottom of my heart!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Squeglia
Adopt a Guitar for Music Education
Funded Aug 20, 2014Thanks to all of you for your generous donations to my project. When the students first saw the new guitars they were very excited about the shiny and beautiful appearance. After playing them, some students began to notice a difference in feel and sound. This sparked a lively discussion about what makes a quality instrument. They concluded that the outward appearance does not necessarily reflect quality and that materials and craftsmanship are more important. The students became more discriminate listeners, which is an important skill for a musician. Additionally, if they decide to purchase a guitar, they will know what to look for.
Very few kids at my school can afford to take private music lessons. I try to offer a rich program to expose them to as many musical experiences as possible. My students are only 9 and 10 year old and many of them have tiny hands. These new 3/4 size guitars are the perfect size, are easy to play and sound just as good as any full size guitar.
Each guitar in my classroom has a name. Naming the guitars creates ownership and insures that students will take good care of them. Before learning to play, each student signs a contract and "adopts" a guitar for the school year. Each of the new guitars needs a name. Students who write thank-you notes will have a chance in a drawing to name one of the guitars. The chosen names will be permanently written inside the sound hole with a calligraphy pen.
Once again, thanks from the bottom of my heart!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Squeglia
Adopt a Guitar
Funded Apr 22, 2013Thank-you for your generous donations to my project. When the students first saw the new guitars they were very excited about the shiny and beautiful appearance. After playing them, the students talked more about the difference in feel and sound. Now when we play guitar in class, the students rotate so that they each get a chance to play a new guitar.
Each new guitar needs a name. One has already been named in honor of the art teacher who introduced me to donorschoose.org. During her art class, she asked the students to draw their own guitar in the style of Picasso. They are doing a great job! I am also having a contest to name the other two guitars. The chosen names will be permanently written inside the sound hole with a calligraphy pen.
I am sure that several students will continue to play after they leave our school next week.
During the year, many parents bought guitars for their children, but many more could not afford the expense. I decided to give away three of old guitars to deserving students who would not be able to purchase one. With some extra care, these guitars may last a bit longer. Interested students were asked to write a persuasive essay explaining why he or she should get one of the old guitars. The chosen students were beaming the day them came after school to take their instruments home.
Once again, thanks from the bottom of my heart!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Squeglia