Mrs. Nor-Pomarico's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 4

• How Do You Get To Carnegie Hall...Practice, Practice, Practice

  Funded Feb 4, 2017

  My students had the best time opening their new practice guitars. I made a real celebration out of it. My room looked like Christmas morning with all the boxes and wrapping paper! The smiles on their faces made me very happy. I know the work that went into this project and when all is said and done, its the smiles and laughter that keep me motivated to do all I can so these children have a chance to make music. Without music, our lives would be very boring indeed.

  I have three boys from Yemen who seem particularly thrilled. One speaks English very well and translates to the other two. I work with the ESL kids one to one as much as possible. I use a pseudo "Annie Sullivan" technique, placing their fingers in the correct position until they understand what to do. Now that they have guitars a home, I hope it challenges them even more.

  Each student and parent were asked to keep a running record of the days and amount of time the student is practicing. They received a folder with a chord chart, songs to listen to and practice, and a page to record practice time. When we return from Spring Break, students will turn in their record for the week. The student who practiced the most will get a prize. The student showing the most improvement, demonstrating the songs most accurately will all get some kind of incentive prize. Some of my kids have been reporting to me informally every day, so I know these guitars are doing what was intended....keeping my students engaged outside the classroom.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Nor-Pomarico

• Computer Music Lab 101

  Funded Jan 8, 2017

  My class's use of the new computers has greatly enhanced their experience in guitar class. We have learned how different Chromebook is from other computers we have had in the past. Most of our student's experience has been on regular, desktop PCs. Our school computer lab did not have the capacity to support music and video files. The new computers in the Guitar room have much more RAM and long-term storage.

  Using the new computers is a privilege. Students who are current with their classwork, demonstrate good conduct, and have a goal for their independent computer time rotate weekly to a computer session. Students are excited to access websites where there are music games based on music theory. They also like kid-friendly websites sponsored by the

  NY Philharmonic, Little Kids Rock and others. Some students search for their favorite songs, downloading and printing the music to take home and practice on their guitar.

  I have one student who has used You Tube videos that I downloaded on the new computers, to learn guitar repair. He is only 8 years old but can change strings and replace parts on his own. His behavior in class has improved from being a disruptive, uninterested student to being my "eager beaver". He can't wait to come to class and fix another instrument. He also keeps his classmates on their toes, admonishing a peer when something "bad" happens to a guitar. He has changed so much this year, partially due to having the new computers available.

  Thank you all again for supporting my classroom.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Nor-Pomarico

  This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 9 other donors.

• Computer Blitz

  Funded Jan 4, 2017

  Thank you for your generous donation to my project, Computer Blitz. I can't wait for school tomorrow so I can tell my students what happened. We had no idea that the project would be funded so quickly. Thank you Google for matching the donation. It is a wonderful thing you are doing, supporting classrooms like mine.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Nor-Pomarico

  This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and one other donor.

• Guitars For All

  Funded Sep 23, 2014

  I wish you could have been here to see the faces of the children when they saw the rack of

  guitars. The joy and delight of the boys and girls was priceless.

  The guitar delivery was late in the day, after school hours. Thankfully there were other teachers willing to help bring the instruments upstairs to the music room. I unwrapped, inventoried and tuned each guitar. They are half size guitars, pale front with a red veneer all around. They each have a small band of geometric design around the sound hole for decoration.

  The next days were just awesome. I don't see the same classes every day so it took some time for each class to see and touch the guitars. We spent a lot of time discussing procedures for handing out and returning guitars and picks. Each class has 2 monitors who help me. The students sit in assigned seats by guitar number, which facilitates distributing and collecting the instruments each period. When the student gets their guitar they are to sit with the guitars pointing to the sky until everyone has their guitar. Then I can begin the lesson. So far my students have learned simple C and G7 chords, how to transition between chords and 3 songs utilizing these chords; "The Troubadour" "Skip to My Lou" and "London Bridge"

  This project, "Guitars For All", has allowed me to teach what I had been assigned to teach. I can teach general music and music theory but I was brought to my school to teach guitar. I was challenged to change my situation and with your generous donations I am able to fulfill my mandate. I love teaching guitar and I love teaching it to young people. They are learning so quickly, and not just the songs. The cooperation and teamwork required to handle the instruments, the ability to follow directions, developing different relationships with peers, learning to really listen to one another, these are all areas that I see impacted by having the guitar instruction.

  Thank you once again for donating to my project, "Guitars For All" You have made a great impact on some wonderful kids with your kindness.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Nor-Pomarico

  This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 15 other donors.