Past projects 10
Growing Program Needs More Books
Funded Sep 18, 2019You should have seen how excited these students were to get new books for band! Once the box arrived, it felt like a celebration with everyone cheering to get the materials we need for our classroom. I have so much gratitude for the generosity you've shown to our students and it humbles me to know that so many people care about music education for our children. Your gift goes a long way by allowing these students the autonomy needed to learn music and take ownership over their learning. By supplying this classroom set of books, more students can access music learning and hopefully continue their learning throughout life. Thank you again for your passion and desire to help our young musicians thrive.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Littledyke
All That Jazz - for Kids!
Funded Aug 17, 2018Through donations much like this, our music program has grown so much that we now offer a before-school jazz band. These kids choose to use their mornings playing music with each other and your donation gives them the challenging music they like to play. The music we purchased has inspired the band members to explore new genres of music and experiment with solo playing while accepting feedback from their peers. Our students, school, and community have been enriched with music due in large to part the donations we have received from generous people like yourself. Thank you so much for your continued support of our young musicians.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Littledyke
Music Books for Young Instrumentalists
Funded Feb 7, 2018Again, I thank you for showing these students such generosity through your donations. My students received their new music books and are already reaping the benefits. Now that each student has their own book to read from, independent learning is becoming much more feasible. Through this donation, students have more autonomy in their learning which allows me to work with those that need individual attention. I'm excited that all of my students now have the ability to take more ownership of their music education which will likely stay with them for much of their lives.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Littledyke
This classroom project was brought to life by The First Million Fund and 6 other donors.Help Keep the Beat
Funded Aug 29, 2017I am again grateful to receive the love that you have shown towards my students. Through this donation, I have been able to reach more students and show them how to develop their own musical skills. We received a classroom set of percussion equipment including sticks, practice pads, and method books that have truly motivated many students.
Students who had to share materials previously are now thriving with their own equipment and have taken more ownership over their learning. Something so simple as a pair of individual sticks and a practice pad are allowing students to develop their autonomy in music making which will impact their future music learning.
I give much credit to the donors who support my classroom in the development of our future musicians. When the greater community comes together to support these young people in their music education, we are giving a gift that can be felt for generations.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Littledyke
Instrument Maintenance 101: Reeds, Stands, and Cleaning Supplies
Funded Jan 12, 2017I am truly grateful for the donation we received for our band program. Many of the items I requested are small, but important to maintain a smooth running music class. With these cleaning supplies, extra reeds, and instrument stands, students learn how to maintain their instruments over time. Most of these students would not be able to afford the accessories needed for their instruments which makes this donation so much more valuable.
Each time a student needs to replace a reed or to get an instrument stand, I remind them that someone in the world believes music is so important that they would share their money with us to get us the materials we need. That makes a lasting impact on them to know they are doing something amazing by learning to make music. They are beginning to understand how music can change lives through these contributions.
Again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and know that you are affecting my students in ways that are unimaginable. Thanks for keeping the music alive!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Littledyke
Music for All: Technology Integration With Chromebooks
Funded Jan 12, 2017Technology is rapidly changing and developing which means my classroom and teaching also need to adjust. Access to quality technology is challenging for many of my students which means they must rely on the school to provide these tools. This Chromebook donation is helping my students discover more ways to learn about music and take ownership in their education. Several of my students are already using the computers for self-directed research and are developing their creativity in ways that deeply impact their own learning.
Some students have begun writing their own songs yet occasionally get stuck in the process. I am able to upload specific content to an online classroom that provides a multitude of resources that I couldn't supply in my physical classroom. Students can also upload their own projects to save and illicit feedback from their teacher or other students. This kind of online collaboration would not be possible without access to these Chromebooks.
I can now plan lessons with more supplementary resources online. My students who tend to shy away from presenting their work to the whole class can upload their projects online or create a video to share with their peers. To see the naturally reserved students use this platform as a way to express their interests and knowledge is only one of the many benefits this donation has brought to my classroom. I truly thank you for this wonderful gift to my students.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Littledyke
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 2 other donors.Music Classes for All: The Ukulele Version
Funded Dec 8, 2016The excitement on the faces of my students when they opened the boxes of ukuleles was priceless! Since most of them have never played a musical instrument before, this donation to our classroom has been a tremendous resource for sparking creativity and collaboration. I even have students coming in during their lunch time to ask if they can play a ukulele.
I started my eighth grade students on a song writing unit that explores different chord progressions, rhythmic motives, lyric writing, and collaboration with other musicians. The ukuleles were a huge component of this project for most students and has sparked an interest in individual song writing. Since then, students have been writing their own songs on their own time even after the project was finished. This is the lasting impact I strive for in my classes.
This donation will continue to influence many young musicians at our school for years to come. Music education is so vital to fostering creativity, collaboration, emotional development, and a deeper understanding of our world of sound. I know this donation will foster a love for music in my students and I thank you deeply for the kindness you've shown to these young musicians.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Littledyke
New Percussion Students Need Instruments for Independent Practice.
Funded Oct 12, 2016My heart is still full of gratitude for all the generosity shown towards my students. These young musicians are truly thriving with their instruments and it's because of your donations that I'm able to reach more students. The first day we received the percussion kits, students were constantly saying, "when can I take this home to practice?!" or "this is just like Christmas!". One student specifically is excited to finally be able to practice so he can be as good of a musician as his grandpa.
Your contribution to our classroom will have a lasting impact as more music students take a music class in the future. These instruments will last for years and will continue to aid students in developing their music skills as long as we have music in our schools. Again, I thank you deeply for the care and generosity you've shown to my students.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Littledyke
Music Books for New Musicians
Funded Jul 14, 2016Dear Donors:
My students are thriving on their instruments and I have you to thank for that. The music books they received are providing them with the tools and resources they need to become independent musicians. Students are already moving ahead in their books and discovering their own potential through this resource.
As students work towards developing their literacy skills, they have an opportunity in music class to strengthen those skills through reading music. The scientific research that surrounds brain development while playing a musical instrument is growing rapidly and young people who learn to read another symbolic language (music) are strengthening those connections across the different curricula.
Your contributions to our young musicians are leaving a lasting impact on them, their families, and our larger community. The gift of music will continue to grow and shape lives in ways that are unimaginable. Again, I humbly thank you for your thoughtfulness towards these deserving music students.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Littledyke
Violin Students Need Their Own Music Books and Stands
Funded Feb 1, 2016I am filled with gratitude that my students get to take more control over their musical learning with their own violin method books! I have already seen some of them moving ahead in their book and showing me their accomplishments with such joy. Others are using the references in their book to deepen their own learning and want to share it with their classmates. Those that need extra time to master a skill are allowed to pace themselves until they feel comfortable to move forward. I am now able to work independently with those students that need more help while others can work at their own speed.
Before this donation, students had to read the same music from the projector on the whiteboard which left the students with vision problems to struggle. Others were bored with repeating the same exercises while they waited for their classmates to catch up. Without enough music stands, students had to share a piece of music between three people which led to students feeling crowded or left out. This gift has improved the classroom environment so drastically in such a short time!
I truly thank each one of you for your generosity towards these students. They are growing up knowing there are wonderful people in the world that care about them and want them to have opportunities that will benefit their lives. The gift of music is one of those opportunities that these students will never forget.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Littledyke