Funded Feb 8, 2022Again, thank you so much for funding my project! The resources have added a lot of fun and engagement to our Music classroom! We have used our buckets, mallets, drum sticks, and more to practice keeping a steady beat, playing rhythms, and working with the music staff. In addition to building music concepts, it is also practice in gross motor skills.
The students were so excited to see the materials. Initially, I kept the materials in their shipping boxes to help build suspense. Many would ask regularly what the boxes contained. I told them, "You'll see...". They were so excited to see the buckets revealed. The drumsticks also peeked their excitement as that is something they regularly see some of their favorite musicians play.
Each year, I will introduce my kindergarteners to the "how-to" of bucket drumming. They learn how to properly hold mallets and drumsticks as well as how different parts of the drums make different pitches and tones. They play simple rhythms and play-alongs. First graders will build on this by practicing reading quarter notes, paired eighth notes, and quarter rests and by playing these on their drums to create rhythms. I hope to also build on this further by having the children play an entire song on the bucket drums.
I, and the children, appreciate your support greatly! In a state that fails to fund education adequately, your donations make a tremendous difference!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Heath