Ms. Costanza's Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 7

• Mixing Audio and Sharing Instruments

  Funded Mar 27, 2024

  We are grateful for your contributions as it made our classroom a more healthy and hygienic environment. This is especially needed during cold and flu season.

  We use hand sanitizer every time we use any item that is shared in the music room. Hand sanitizer is a major part of our classroom routines and gives students leadership and service opportunities. We all get one pump of hand sanitizer before we play instruments, use scarves for movement, and change centers during instrumental lessons (keyboards, guitars, ukuleles, xylophones, drums, etc.). Student helpers give out hand sanitizer to their peers. It's a chance for them to be in charge and to make sure their classmates have what they need to succeed and to stay healthy.

  Thank you for your donation!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Costanza

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

• Racks on Racks on Racks 2.0

  Funded Feb 12, 2024

  This year our 5th Graders learned how to play the guitar. They loved learning this incredible instrument. They learned how to play 3 chords along with some of their favorite songs. Our students also learned about responsibility because they had to bring their instrument to and from school each week.

  We are grateful for having a safe place to store our beautiful guitars. We used the racks to store our instruments in the beginning of class and before and after the guitar unit. The siblings and family members of my current students will get to use these racks for many years to come.

  Thank you for your generous contribution!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Costanza

• We Got the Beat!

  Funded Mar 15, 2022

  Our new drum set has already made a huge impact on our school. Our students are excited to learn how to play them!

  This year, I was able to start an afterschool modern band (think a rock band that plays all different kinds of music). This is the first band program our school has ever had.

  We are currently learning ukulele but we are going to start playing acoustic guitar and electric guitar and bass soon. We are already learning common drum patterns so we will be set to play them on the instruments in the next few weeks.

  We will be performing for our classmates, teachers, school leaders, and families in the next few months. We cannot wait to rock out for our school community!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Costanza

• Maintaining Our Instruments While Social Distancing

  Funded Mar 16, 2021

  Your gifts have meant so much to the PS123K Family. They are used every period of every day.

  The flexible seating options are great for my 5th Grade Guitar Club. They are lots of options because some students like the cushions and some like the stools when we are playing our instruments. The picks and new strings have also helped with my new club this year. The flexible seating is also conducive to movement in my classroom. We're also able to do dances and mixers much more easily now. I wish you could have seen the joy on the faces of our 1st Grade Dual Language students when they got to walk around the room, find a partner on their own, and wave to them. They has a blast!

  I have read many teachers stories shared on social media about the challenges of students being social distanced in their classrooms and that has not been an obstacle for me or my students. My students have comfortable and safe seating whenever they are in the music room. Thank you for making each day easier for me and safer for our kiddos!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Costanza

• Strike The Bars and Whack Those Booms!

  Funded Dec 4, 2019

  The Boomwhackers and bass xylophone have been a big hit in our classroom!

  We use the Boomwhackers to improvise and they helped us sort sounds from high to low. At the beginning of each class, students improvise music by singing and now they can play the Boomwhackers! It's a great way for students to develop confidence and musical independence. Once the students sorted the Boomwhackers from high to low they were able to play along with "The Flea Song," "Diddle Diddle Dumpling," and the book Mortimer by Robert Munsch.

  We use the bass xylophone to accompany songs and games. My K students love to play "A-Tisket A-Tasket" and the 1st Graders love to play "Circle Round the Zero," when I accompany them on the xylophone. Some students and paraprofessionals have even helped me accompany singing in the classroom. It's a new way to support students as they learn about singing in tune and in harmony. Thank you for your generous donation!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Costanza

  This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous classroom supporter and 8 other donors.

• Racks on Racks on Racks

  Funded Nov 18, 2019

  The guitar racks have helped us keep the music classroom neat and organized. Students know where the guitars are when we need them and they work hard to take care of the classroom.

  The students were so excited when they saw the guitar racks. They knew we had guitars but the racks made the guitars more visible. Some of them even said, "Wow," when they came to the classroom after I set them up.

  In the past, students have only been able to access 8 guitars at a time because of the limited storage space. Now, each student can pair up with another student to play the guitar or coach their partner. As a result, students can give each other feedback on their technique and I believe that this has lead to more success during this part of the class. So far, the students have mastered the e minor and C Major chords. They can successfully play "Chain of Fools" performed by Aretha Franklin and "Eleanor Rigby" by the Beatles. They are currently working on "Shake Your Body" by Michael Jackson. I can't wait for them to master it! I know that you donation has really helped my students grow as musicians. Thank you again!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Costanza

  This classroom project was brought to life by PLUS1 and Beast Coast and 4 other donors.

• We're All About that Bass!

  Funded Nov 17, 2015

  The money you donated to my classroom bought us 3 bass bars. We have the notes C, F, and G. My students can now accompany songs that use up to 3 chords---including songs in 12-bar blues form. My students love to play them. They stop me in the hall to ask if they can play during our next music class!

  I had originally envisioned these instruments to be used primarily with my K-2 students. In those grades, students usually play simple bass patterns on 2 notes to accompany singing, games, and stories. The truth is that my older students love them just as much as the younger students. I started a small guitar recess club with my 3rd Graders and needed some students to play bass notes to accompany for a performance of "Eleanor Rigby" by the Beatles. Some students chose to play the bass bars instead of the guitars! I never expected that. I see us incorporating these bars into more projects and performances in the future.

  You helped bring music and joy to the lives of children from low-income homes. Thank you again for your contribution.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Costanza