Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
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My project will use beginner piano lessons to enhance literacy and math skills, leading to creative composition within my classroom. Students will be assigned a keyboard and taught the basics of music theory. They will learn and apply their knowledge of music notation to the instrument. Science studies have shown that music can alter moods, relieve stress, ignite core memories-to name a few-but the actual making of music engages the brain in such a way to develop critical thinking skills and spatial reasoning.
Music when taught as a language and a science changes our way of approaching people, problems, and in short our world. Music notation requires that we multiply and divide the required length of a sound while creating that sound through our instrument of choice (voice included). This initiative aims to equip students with the confidence to explore the endless possibilities of music through reading and writing music. Exploring rhythmic sequences through composition encourages creativity and calculated risk taking skills.
Above all else, I am hoping this project with inspire more young women to pursue musical composition or conducting. Some of the greatest conductors gracing this earth are women, and I would like to see that trend continue. IF/THEN is a collective effort of resources seeking to increase access to women in STEM. And I hope this project and initiative will challenge them to consider STEAM as well. This project will ensure that students are confident in literacy and math and music, and perhaps it will lead to the discovery and development of a great female composer/conductor.
About my class
My project will use beginner piano lessons to enhance literacy and math skills, leading to creative composition within my classroom. Students will be assigned a keyboard and taught the basics of music theory. They will learn and apply their knowledge of music notation to the instrument. Science studies have shown that music can alter moods, relieve stress, ignite core memories-to name a few-but the actual making of music engages the brain in such a way to develop critical thinking skills and spatial reasoning.
Music when taught as a language and a science changes our way of approaching people, problems, and in short our world. Music notation requires that we multiply and divide the required length of a sound while creating that sound through our instrument of choice (voice included). This initiative aims to equip students with the confidence to explore the endless possibilities of music through reading and writing music. Exploring rhythmic sequences through composition encourages creativity and calculated risk taking skills.
Above all else, I am hoping this project with inspire more young women to pursue musical composition or conducting. Some of the greatest conductors gracing this earth are women, and I would like to see that trend continue. IF/THEN is a collective effort of resources seeking to increase access to women in STEM. And I hope this project and initiative will challenge them to consider STEAM as well. This project will ensure that students are confident in literacy and math and music, and perhaps it will lead to the discovery and development of a great female composer/conductor.