Past projects 12
Shake It With Me!
Funded Sep 20, 2018We couldn't have done it without you!
Your generous donation supported the purchase of shakers, maracas and jingle bells for students at my school, an early childhood, special education center. Some of these instruments had velcro straps, accommodating students with fine motor challenges. Various sizes of maracas, mini-maracas and egg shakers were purchased to meet the broad needs of my students who have developmental, physical and sensory challenges.
We used the instruments during classroom instruction as well as large group, parent engagement activities held in December. Parents and district personnel were invited to attend 5 different holiday sing-along events. Using a multi-media format, we used instruments and danced together, filling the room with sounds of the season! The purchase of the shakers, maracas and jingle bells allowed every family member and guest in attendance to have an instrument and play along with their child. Given the ample supply, over 100 parents, students, teachers and invited guests had access to the instruments and enjoyed participating along-side the students.
Thank you for supporting the gift of music for these very special students!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Monica Levin
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and 10 other donors.Hear Our Voices!
Funded Oct 25, 2017As a direct result of your kindness, I am grateful to have a sound system and microphones to use for our music programs so that family and attendees can "Hear Our Voices!" On behalf of my students, "Thank You!"
During the holiday season, we scheduled 8 different events where we enjoyed the benefits of the new sound equipment! The PreKindergarten students performed songs for their families during 2 evening performances. The 4-microphones and stands allowed student voices to be amplified so that the audience could hear their beautiful singing. Additionally, because the microphones are cordless, they could be passed to individual students with ease for solo opportunities. This flexibility provided special moments for individual students to be highlighted, bringing pride and joy to their parents!
The bluetooth feature of the system allowed me to move about freely, with the ipod in my hand. This allowed me to assist students as they transitioned between songs while helping with instruments or props as needed. I could simultaneously support a student while starting/stopping the music on the ipod, as I was not tethered to cords. More importantly, the cordless mic's, along with this bluetooth feature, provided a measure of safety for my students. As over 50% of my students are identified as having special needs and use an IEP (Individualized Education Plan), there were no cords acting to act as a tripping hazard. Rehearsal and repetition are key to success for any student, so owning our own equipment provided multiple opportunities to practice and attain our greatest potential. (See 4 of the 6 attached pictures from our performances)
In an effort to increase family involvement, we organized two "Holiday Sing-Along" events. Families were invited to join us to sing holiday music with their child. This multimedia presentation provided musical support through written lyrics and picture cues to accompany the songs, making the music accessible to everyone, including our non-English speaking families. The sound system enhanced our event making it more impactful. With four cordless mics, my colleagues and I canvased the audience to offer the microphones to individuals during the group singing. This format provided a platform for students, families, and staff to use the microphones and share their solo voices with the group, making this event participatory and interactive! (See 1 of the 6 pictures showing the sing-along event.)
The sound system is easily transportable with built-in wheels, much like a large suitcase. We were able to pack up the sound system, along with the microphones, to use on a field trip! Students performed at an assisted living facility to share holiday music with the residents. Having the microphones and bluetooth capacity supported this successful community performance event! The cordless microphones facilitated interaction with the audience, giving them a way to participate and truly feel a part of the event. (See 1 of the 6 photos showing our performance at the assisted living facility in our community.)
As you can see, your generous donation has already had a positive impact on the music performances for our special students! Thank you for believing in the power of music and supporting music in the public schools!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Monica Levin
This classroom project was brought to life by Sergey Brin Family Foundation and 17 other donors.