Past projects 10
Mic Check, One, Two!
Funded Sep 13, 2021We are so happy to have our new microphones! We can't thank you enough for your generosity and support. The best part of opening our new microphones was listening to my enthusiastic students discuss the many different, creative ways they be used, and how anxious everyone was to start using them. In fact, I had to plug in the mics to my computer right away for an impromptu recording session because we just couldn't wait! My students understand and appreciate that they are members of a special group, a "creative family", because they have opportunities to express themselves, explore their creative potential, and contribute original content to our school community using these new resources. Again, we simply cannot thank you enough.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Greene
This classroom project was brought to life by Robert Smith, Vista Equity Partners, & PowerSchool and 2 other donors.Get Closer to the Microphone!
Funded May 14, 2020As you can imagine, teaching from home has presented a few challenges. One of the greatest challenges was communicating effectively with my students during our virtual class sessions. Another challenge was continuing to serve parents and faculty, providing them with regular updates and professional development. Thanks to your generosity, I have been able to meet (if not exceed) those challenges with the addition of my fantastic, new Blue Yeti USB microphone!
My students have been able to clearly hear and understand me while speaking through this new microphone, and I have been able to produce video tutorials with crystal clear audio. I have also been able to model music production projects with ease and effectiveness.I can't imagine being able to engage students and assist colleagues as well as I do now without this microphone.
My students often comment on how good the sound quality when I'm speaking or playing music for them. Colleagues and parents have appreciated the professional sounding presentations I have been able to deliver. We cannot thank you enough for your thoughtfulness and generosity. You have made a tremendous difference in the quality of instruction and support that my students, families, and colleagues are able to receive.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Greene
This classroom project was brought to life by Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and 3 other donors.Lights, Camera, Teleprompter, Action!
Funded Aug 26, 2019Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! Your thoughtfulness and generosity have provided my students with a marvelous new resource that will transform our music classroom into a fully operational media studio. Watching my students open that box and set up their new teleprompter, listening to them talk enthusiastically about media projects ideas, and seeing the excitement on their faces... I wish you could have been there to experience those delightful moments with me! Hopefully, you will get a sense of their excitement from the uploaded photos.
I was pleasantly surprised at how easily (and quickly) my students were able to assemble their new teleprompter, sync up the remote control, and connect an iPad for the scrolling text. They typed our school's mission statement for their first teleprompter assignment and practiced reading and recording like professional news reporters! It was an absolute joy to watch.
Before we received our teleprompter, my students and I discussed how it is used by professional news reporters and presenters. We also explored plans for creating a professional quality streaming news service for our school. Now that we've set up our new teleprompter and taken it for a test run, we cannot wait to begin creating content for our school and working in a professional media setting. We have all of you to thank for this tremendous opportunity!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Greene
Smile for the (Video) Camera!
Funded Oct 11, 2018My students and I are tremendously grateful to have received our new video camera! Thanks to your generous contributions, my students have the unique opportunity to create professional quality productions that showcase their creativity, talent, and academic growth. We have already put the camera to work in our classroom to record performances and presentations, and to evaluate students' work.
The video camera will also be used in our film club, where we will create school news segments, documentaries, and other video projects. I have students throughout the school who are looking forward to participating now that they know about the quality of work that we are capable of producing. We can't thank you enough for providing us with this wonderful opportunity. Thank you so very much for your thoughtfulness and support of our program.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Greene
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 6 other donors.Lights, Camera, Green Screen... Action!
Funded Aug 22, 2018My students and I are tremendously grateful to have received our new green screen kit and studio lighting set! We have been busy over the past several weeks discussing all of the creative ways we could use the new equipment in our classroom, anxiously awaiting (with fingers crossed) for the good news to arrive that our project had been fully funded. I wish you all could have been in my classroom when I share that good news with my students. So much excitement!
Thanks to your generous contributions, my students have the unique opportunity to create professional quality productions that showcase their creativity, talent, and academic growth. We have already put the lights to work during our classroom poetry slam and plan on using them again next week, along with the black screen that came with the kit, for our evening poetry slam event.
The equipment will also be used in our film club, where we will create school news segments, documentaries, and other video projects. I have students throughout the school who are looking forward to participating now that they know about the quality of work that we are capable of producing. We can't thank you enough for providing us with this wonderful opportunity. Thank you so very much for your thoughtfulness and support of our program.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Greene
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 5 other donors.Step Up to the Microphone!
Funded Nov 8, 2017We can't thank you enough for contributing to our project and providing us with our fantastic new Yeti USB recording microphone! My students have already recorded several projects with it and are anxious to do more.
Technology resources like our new microphone contribute to the creative environment and heighten student engagement. My students couldn't wait to open the box and begin recording. With this single piece of equipment, my classroom was transformed into a professional recording studio. Everyone of my excited students "stepped up to the microphone" and recorded themselves, exploring the creative potential of their unique voices.
In addition to recording their original compositions, my students are also learning about the principles of air pressure, signal to noise ratio, and expressive qualities such as voice projection and articulation.
We would like to invite you to visit our class website at http://musicmedia678.wixsite.com/musicmedia/songwriting. Here you can listen to some of the original student songs we recorded with our new microphone. You'll also be able to see the mic being used in one of our recording sessions. Again, "Thank You" for your generous contributions!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Greene
Headphones + Headphone Amps = Total Student Control
Funded Oct 19, 2016Your generous contributions to our classroom are tremendously appreciated! The headphones and headphone amps we received have significantly improved our learning environment and increased the overall level of excitement and interest! Nearly everyday my students ask, "can we use the headphones?" I have been able to find new and engaging ways for my students to study together on the iPads now that they can access video and audio content in a controlled setting. It has been so much fun for all of us!
My students absolutely love collaborating with their peers and having control over the pace of their learning. The pictures we uploaded for you show how we are now able to work with different study apps, create original music compositions, and conduct research. It really is amazing how a few headphones and volume knobs can enhance a lesson or activity.
Our new resources also allow for greater differentiation and enrichment opportunities. Students who need additional time on their work can use the headphones and amps while the rest of the class is on a different task. Students who finish their work early now have the ability to work ahead or review content without disturbing others.
We can't thank you enough for your support.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Greene
This classroom project was brought to life by Yamaha Corporation of America – Band & Orchestral and one other donor.Help Us Compose A Global Rondo!
Funded Nov 16, 2011I cannot thank you enough for helping us reach our project goal. Your generous contributions will allow my students to explore their creative potential and collaborate with their friends in other countries. I have shared the great news with my students and they are thrilled. They can't wait to start composing their original music.
The Sequel software is easy to use and loaded with sounds and loops from a variety of musical styles. My students will be able to create their own professional quality compositions and mix in material received from our global songwriting partners. The headphones and amps will provide work stations for small group collaboration as well as independent work. This grant will transform my classroom environment into a recording studio and production center!
We can't wait to receive our items and begin making music. On behalf of my exuberant students, THANK YOU!!!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Greene
This classroom project was brought to life by Music Empowers Foundation and 2 other donors.Making Movies and Sharing Them With The World
Funded Apr 12, 2011It with with great joy and appreciation that I write this note of thanks. Your generosity will provide my eager students with the tools to develop wonderfully creative projects that they can share with the world. I recently received the laptop computer and unveiled it to my students. Needless to say, they were thrilled to see it!
The terrific new Compaq laptop computer will be used to create and edit video project and music composition/songwriting projects. We will also be able to establish a new "digital workstation" in our classroom where students can work independently or in small groups to research information for class projects, create and edit their original works, and teach each other how to use the various computer programs.
My students will be able to apply and explore their personal academic and creative strengths to their work, and collaborate with their classmates through various multimedia projects. One of our recent projects was "My Vision of the Future", an integrated unit that incorporated elements of language arts, social studies, technology, music, and visual arts. Materials used in the development of the project were also funded by DonorsChoose.org! Our new laptop will allow my students to gain experience editing their own work, and to write (typed) narratives reflecting on their experiences and accomplishments.
We will certainly get plenty of use from our new computer, on this project and the many that will follow. Again, thank you for helping us!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Greene
My Vision of the Future
Funded Feb 7, 2011On behalf of all of my wonderful students, THANK YOU! Your thoughtfulness and generosity are greatly appreciated, and your donations will definitely be put to good use. My students absolutely love to create music and make their own films. This new video camera, scanner, and art supplies will give my students more opportunities to explore their creative and academic potential.
I recently learned that my students' "My Vision of the Future" project videos will be featured on our school district's TV channel. This exciting news has made my students and their parents very happy. They are all very proud of their projects, and we are all are thankful that you have helped us receive this opportunity to share our "visions" with our community.
Please know that you, the donors, are making a difference in the quality of my students' education and contributing to the meaningful experiences they will have in my classroom. I look forward to sharing our photos and success stories with all of you!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Greene
This classroom project was brought to life by Gates Foundation and one other donor.