Past projects 8
Ukuleles for the Entire School!
Funded Sep 22, 2023Your generous donation has made massive difference for hundreds of students here at the Lincoln School. Because these instruments are shared among the whole school, every grade from Kindergarten to 5th grade has had a chance to learn chords, melodies, and strumming patterns. Before this donation we did not have a complete set of ukuleles.
Our first graders have been playing "basslines" with simple songs. Our second and third graders have been playing accompaniments to simple songs. And our fourth and fifth graders have been doing all of that while learning to play melodies on the instrument. It's wonderful to see them learn such valuable musical skills and hear them play such lovely music. Thank you very much for what you have given us.”
With gratitude,
Mr. MacDonald
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 5 other donors.Starting Musical Lives with Ukuleles!
Funded Mar 27, 2018Your donations have had a profound impact on our music classes and the entire atmosphere of our school. These ukuleles have become the most popular instrument in the classroom. More importantly, they have become the center of a ukulele culture at our school. Many students have decided to ask for a ukulele for their birthday or Christmas as a result of playing these ukuleles in music class, so you have also changed the musical culture of many homes around Revere.
I also appreciate the quality of these Luna ukuleles. The colors are deep and rich, and the wood is sturdy and high-quality. They have held up to use by kindergartners and first graders beautifully. The sound is quite nice. Even while playing ten or more at the same time, the sound is pleasant and never overpowering.
We are very thankful for the generosity of our donors. Your donation has had a remarkable impact on our school culture. Thank you.”
With gratitude,
Mr. MacDonald
This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple.A Place to Learn
Funded Dec 5, 2017This new rug has changed our music classroom in many ways. The room is now brighter, more colorful, and more inviting than it has ever been. The children are excited by it, and they are very intrigued by the pictures, piano keys, and large music staff. They are very happy sitting on this rug during our classes, and everyone has plenty of room, even in our largest classes. It is actually large enough for my classes to get into small groups and work and still be together on the rug. This rug has also helped us to learn some new folk dancing and movement activities. Because it is such a great fit for the room, it works as a nice centerpiece to our circle games, dances, and activities. Having this rug in our room has changed everything for us. Thank you so much.”
With gratitude,
Mr. MacDonald
Little Instruments For Little People!
Funded Aug 6, 2017Your donation of three ukuleles has already begun to change the musical culture of our school. We have started to explore these instruments in the past few months since they arrived in August, and they have exploded in popularity. I am being asked every day "are we playing ukuleles today!?!" And, many dozens of students have asked for them for Christmas or birthday presents. A real culture change is happening. Also, we sing a song with ukulele every morning over our school announcements, so the students get to hear them every day. I get the feeling that these kids recognize that these instruments are perfect for them. They are the right size, they have a beautiful, soft sound, they are wonderfully colorful, and they are inexpensive enough that many kids can get their own at home. I cannot thank you enough for this gift. I have been able to lead students in successful directions before, but I have never seen a group of kids get this excited and involved with music so quickly, and I really owe it all to DonorsChoose. Thank you all so much!”
With gratitude,
Mr. MacDonald
Let's Get These Kids Moving Together!
Funded Jan 30, 2017Your donations have had a transformative effect on the music program that my students get to experience. With the books, Cd's, and textbooks that you purchased, I have been able to start a wildly successful folk dancing program at my school. And, I am not exaggerating when I say that my students are in love! It is quite rare for my students to beg me to do an activity, but begging for these folk dancing activities has been nonstop. Thank you all so much. Thank you not only for this activity, but thank you for revitalizing the interest in my music program. You have done so much for these kids and for our entire program.
I strongly believe that these folk dances do wonders for these young people (and people of all ages!). In just the brief time since I have received my Donors Choose materials, we have done approximately 200 folk dances. In that short period of time, I have already seen the companionship, community, coordination, and enthusiasm grow tremendously! These dances involve circles, forward movement, backward movement, jumps, claps, spins, bows, freezing, and many other movements, and once students learn the movements, they participate with gusto! In addition to the benefits listed above, each student gains a sense of musical awareness, and a type of physical education. The benefits are so numerous that I could not possibly list them all here
I am so proud of these kids for putting in the effort to start a folk dance program, and none of this would be available without your donations. Thank you all so much.”
With gratitude,
Mr. MacDonald
Help Spruce Up an Urban Music Room!
Funded Dec 31, 2015Dear Donors,
Thank you so very much for your generous gift. From the moment that my students opened these drums, they have been in love with them, asking to play them at every opportunity. They have wanted a classroom set of drums like this for many years, and they could not be happier now. I speak for all 660 students at my school when I say thank you so very much.
We have used these drums regularly since we received them. We have used them to learn/demonstrate steady beat, dynamics, call and response, echoing, different drum techniques, and play several games that were not possible before. They absolutely changed the course of our entire school year. Your donation was not only significant for this school year. I plan to develop a more drum-heavy curriculum next year and for several years to come. There is no doubt in my mind that your donation will change the music education of thousands of children.
I sincerely hope that you feel satisfied with your donation. DonorsChoose has transformed my classroom and given my students resources fit for a 2016 music education, and it wouldn't be possible without donors like you. I speak for my students, my school, and my community when I offer our most sincere and honest gratitude. Thank you.”
With gratitude,
Mr. MacDonald
Let's bring back BOOKS!
Funded Sep 17, 2014Your generous gift has already made an impact on hundreds of students in my classroom. Musical concepts such as instrument identification, style, and history (usually as a biography) have been taught alongside virtues including patience, resilience, etiquette, and teamwork.
These books have been a part of "Music Class Story Time," a tradition that my students are starting to recognize and enjoy. They have also been made available during every music "free class," and have even been rented out to a few students to take home. In every situation, the students have excited to learn and respectful of the new materials.
The most impactful moment has come in the form of a story time where the students not only learn the concepts in the book by listening and participating, but they also create their own music books as they follow along. This activity blends music knowledge and concepts with literacy and art. I plan to build these lesson plans into a curriculum that is based around these books. Thank you so much for bringing books to a new generation of students!”
With gratitude,
Mr. MacDonald
School of Rock! (and Jazz, and Pop, and Blues!)
Funded Nov 26, 2013"This feels like Christmas," claimed one of my students as they ripped into the boxes containing five new keyboards and ten new keyboard stands. To us, it really felt that way. I have not seen my students any happier than they were while opening, examining, and building their new keyboard lab.
Because of your generous donation, my students are starting a curriculum that will teach them some of the most valuable aspects of music education. They are now excited and fully engaged in learning new melodies and chords. My hope and goal for this new program is to give them knowledge and skills that they will hang on to for the rest of their lives. I feel that we can accomplish this goal now.
Thank you so much for your generous gift. You have made all the difference.”
With gratitude,
Mr. MacDonald