Past projects 8
Musical Freedom!
Funded Aug 10, 2022I cannot begin to tell you how much the 1,000 students appreciate your most generous gift of ukuleles! We have some polynesian students that have handled the instruments before, so I am able to use them as mentors to the other students. I also have one 6th grader with perfect pitch, who has been homeschooled until this year; he makes money on the weekends playing the ukulele. This has been a great open door for him to be the new kid and a leader!
We spend a whole day talking about the parts of the body, the care, the cost, and the use of the instrument. We practice taking it in and out of the shelves before we begin to hold it correctly.At this point, the 6th graders know five chords and can play many folk tunes in two different keys, thus giving them the experience of adjusting to different voice types and ranges. It is exciting to see their faces and the windows of understanding begin to light their faces.
I am starting with the 5th grade after Christmas! Since they study U. S. History, this will be a wonderful vehicle to teach about cowboys, writing lyrics and American folk dance as well!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nancy
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and one other donor.Hear and Breathe!
Funded Feb 5, 2022Receiving an air purifier is not exactly a thrill for my students, but it is for me! Every year when school starts, we get the effects of the fires from California in our Utah air. Since I am on the stage for my classroom, we get a large percentage of unfiltered air--sometimes it smells like we are out in the woods around a campfire! I am beyond thrilled to have two high-powered air filters running in my room at the moment. I feel like we will make it through this year and years to come with far less chance of lung damage!
Honestly, there have been days when I cannot stop coughing. As a music teacher, I am constantly singing and the air quality affects my ability to sing--to get a sound out!
I cannot thank you enough for the increased feeling of safety, healthy vocal production, and general health as well. This has and will be a massive improvement.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nancy
Authentic Music Comes From the Heart
Funded Oct 26, 2021These supplies are invaluable! The picks come in handy with the 5th grade as we study the Ukulele.
I use the sets of Boomwhackers to encourage my classes to read. Students are given only one BW at a time and thus, can focus on finding the one line or space that corresponds to their instrument; then all they have to do is count and voila--a piece is born, and a student has mastered the placement of one note while giving it a name!
The paper bags turn into a rhythmic percussion instrument, the waxed paper is used with a comb to create a kazoo, and the spoons...well, they are self-explanatory, right? These instruments originated in the early to mid 19th century and were used widely among those in the south as well as the migrating pioneers who settled Utah for entertainment, or accompaniment to folk dancing.
The tubano is great accompaniment for any songs of Native American or African origin and can also be used a pure rhythmic study.
I have used the tick-tock blocks to add variety to the K-2 music and the students LOVE them. Thank you again and again!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nancy
There Is Music in the Air
Funded May 5, 2021Since the world came to a stop and closed down, many students were stranded at home in poor circumstances. Statistics showed an increase of suicide, domestic violence, and a great deal of social unrest. We had quite a number of students come to our school last year from California because we were open and running in full force. Particularly in this time of social distancing, students came to school needing connection with other students and their teachers.
I wanted to give my students (grades K-6) a way to bond together, to get their bodies moving, and to feel joy. With a little modification (so we wouldn't touch each other), we were able to go outside and do some folk dancing. It wasn't long before the whole school (whether it was their own time for Music class or not) was dancing together. It was magical!
Because of your generous gift of the boom box, I was able to bring much needed connection to my students!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nancy
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 6 other donors.Early American Settlers Made Music Too!
Funded Sep 16, 2020Thank you for the Musical Spoons--they have added such depth to our American/Utah History. I showed them how to play spoons that were separate to show the difficulty of keeping them in place as they are played. So when I unveiled these spoons that make playing a lot easier, and they saw that I had enough for everyone in the class, everyone (including my most difficult student in 5th grade who doesn't care about anything) wanted to touch, play, and explore what they could do! Through that backdoor I have taught them an authentic Pioneer song and corresponding dance.
Since then, we have also 'played the paper bag', the wash board, bones, and watched videos of people making their own washtub bass.
We have learned that slave owners forbade Slaves the luxury of instruments since a slave uprising back in the mid 1700s due to the use of drums! And that is why slaves resorted to things like the spoons.
I am so very grateful for these spoons that have opened so many doors to real American History!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nancy
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose 20th Anniversary Fund and 2 other donors.World Drumming
Funded Nov 8, 2019Thank you for your generous funding for World Drumming. My classroom is thrilled!
My Second, third, and sixth grade classes are all studying world cultures and communities so this will fit right in.
Even in the 5th grade, where we are studying American History will benefit from the African influence in American Music over the last century into today's music.
Everyone loves to drum--it will be nice to give some guidelines and see their responses. Cannot wait to get started!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nancy
Percussion and Song
Funded Oct 4, 2019Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our Music program! Drum heads will add a multitude of possibilities for our classrooms since they are so easy to assemble on to the buckets, and ALL classes and ages can use them. The students are really very excited. I look forward to seeing their growth over the next few years!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nancy
Ukuleles:Turning Regular School Children Into Musicians and Performers
Funded Oct 9, 2017I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am for your contribution of ukuleles to my music classroom! The fifth and sixth graders are sometimes so filled with 'attitude' that they are turned off to learning to read music, but the ukuleles reopen those doors of inquiry and participation like nothing else can!
One day I was walking down the hall and some woman stopped me and asked if I were the Music Teacher. Light filled her face as she thanked me profusely for teaching her two students how to play. "They have asked for ukuleles for Christmas!" she exclaimed. "I am so very grateful. I would so much rather give them something of value than just another video game. You have had a great impact on my children."
Several other students wrote me thank you notes, listing the ukuleles as being among their favorite activities of the year. They loved the songs they were able to learn and look forward to playing their own instruments--regarding them as vehicles for entertainment that will last their lifetime.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nancy