Mrs. Walker's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 4

• Stand Up for Music

  Funded Aug 3, 2023

  When the boxes arrived my students thought Christmas had come. Excitement quickly filled each Music class as students learned about and got to touch the new music instruments.

  My students are enjoying the stand for the alto xylophone. The back row is quickly becoming everyone's favorite. They like having a better view of me while playing, it helps to keep them together. While learning about Meter of 3 Third grade students played an accompaniment on the barred instruments to "Bells in the Steeple".

  Since I was only able to purchase one of the stands I used the remaining funds to purchase instruments and accessories for the room. Some of these instruments include: egg shakers, frog guiro, 4 primary guiros, and triangle beaters.

  This October my upper level classes enjoyed performing an egg shaker lesson. Listening and keeping a beat were key to this "Spooky Shaker". Students also enjoyed "Pumpkin Bones" this year because we had Triangle beaters to play the Triangles with! Instead of "more cowbell" it's more Triangle!! I was able to divide the class into four sections and have them play four different rhythms on four different instruments. They also tested out our new guiros and loved them. We have had an opportunity for students to improvise their own 16 beat rhythms and they used the guiros.

  So what's next? Keep finding new and exciting ways to make beautiful music with wonderful children. Thank you for your support in making that possible.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Walker

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 7 other donors.

• Mallets for All!

  Funded Nov 13, 2019

  I want to thank you first for supporting Music Education. When I opened the box students were very pleased to see all different types of Mallets and Rhythms Sticks. There were many cheers! The Teacher Assistant that comes with her class was very impressed with the adaptive mallets.

  The rhythm sticks that we have been using were very worn out and most of them had splintered. When students saw the new ones they gave a big cheer. They were very excited to use them as we tapped out rhythms to various Christmas music. Our fourth and fifth grade students loved being able to use the new mallets as they played an accompaniment to "I Have a Little Dreidel". One of them remarked that "now we can play the barred instruments". They played on Soprano, Alto, and Tenor Xylophones. Kindergarten also had their turn at playing a descant for "I Have a Little Dreidel". Because of your contribution each class was able to have eight students playing at a time! This comprised of Xylophones and Glockenspiels.

  The next steps for Mallets for All is to continue to find music that our Musicians can play to accompany songs appropriate for their age and skill. And, for the upper grade levels, they will be able to play their written composition on the barred instrument of their choice. I am so looking forward to the hearing the Music they will create.

  Thank you once again for supporting our Musicians with your contribution!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Walker

  This classroom project was brought to life by Arby's Foundation and one other donor.

• In Tune With Melody!

  Funded Dec 11, 2018

  Thank you so much for the opportunity to bring a new instrument into the Music room. I had the boxes waiting on the back table building anticipation for both students and myself. I wanted the class that I knew a student had given to this project to be the class to open the boxes. There faces were priceless. The squeals of excitement filled the room as each box was opened and the wrappings inside were taken off. Finally, as promised that student was the first student to play on the instrument. He performed a beautiful solo for his classmates.

  The next day my 5th graders took their turn on the new instrument. This instrument & stand has allowed them to have the option to stand to play instead of sitting or kneeling on the floor. Everyone wanted to play it so we had to take turns. Having this one instrument has allowed us to add one more person to our playing groups in class.

  I am especially happy with the addition of the stand and how it has opened up musical doors for one of our students who currently comes to Music in a wheelchair. The stand allows the student to participate with his classmates where they are and not from a distance at a table or having the instrument on chairs. This has given this one student confidence and a place in the group.

  So, now what? Spring is just around the corner. Classes are gearing up to perform Spring Concerts. This year will feature 5th and Kindergarten on Xylophones. Front and center will be our newest instrument. And, I'm sure there will be a smiling face on the student who plays it.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Walker

  This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous donor and 6 other donors.

• Drumming up Creativity

  Funded Jan 19, 2018

  Upon the arrival of the three Tubanos my students curiosity and natural abilities started to come out. I hope you can see it in the eyes of my class surrounded by the drums. In every class I brought the drums out the eyes of the students lit up. Everyone wanted to play on the instruments. Not just because they are big but because they look like and sound like "real" drums not the little things we had been playing on before. Every class had an opportunity to just improvise on the drums to get used to their sound

  There are so many lessons that call for rhythm instruments. Many of those are for drums. Having only 3 hand drums made this an impossible task. I have been using the Tubanos in almost every class. Kindergarten has just started a unit on Rhythm. First we kept the beat on the drums when we sang our song. Then we added a short rhythm ostinato to accompany the song. Lastly we played the rhythm of the words. Because of their size I can put two students on one instrument. First Grade is also exploring rhythm and has played many rhythms on our new drums. Fifth grade has enjoyed getting to learn about the different sounds the drums can make as they play more complex rhythms to accompany the music we are studying.

  What does the future look like? Rhythms abound. Students will be learning about character education and music from around the world while playing fun, cool rhythms on our new Tubanos.

  Thank you to the wonderful donors for the opportunity to share my love and passion for music to my students. Thank you Donors Choose for setting up a wonderful program that allows people to come together for the greater good.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Walker

  This classroom project was brought to life by Craig Newmark Philanthropies and 7 other donors.