The Planet Fierce Glam Nation Celebration!

Edit title

Approximately three weeks ago, I received the Pico Pocket Projector that you so graciously funded for me. Initially, the correct projector model was ordered by DonorsChoose and paid for with your donations, but somehow the supplier sent a less expensive projector that didn't work for me. I was able to return it to the supplier who then shipped me the correct projector. After the resulting delay, I finally received the correct projector, have learned how to operate it and have been able to put it to use in a number of my music classes. It works great, and both my students and I are benefiting from its use!

The first thing that I have used the projector for is to enhance a presentation about brass musical instruments. Our school district's library resource center subscribes to many fine video and other resources that can be legally downloaded and shown to our students. My only problem has been that, while I could view and/or download some of the videos on my computer, I didn't have a method to use them in my classes. A great resource has been out of my reach. That has now changed.

I see well over 800 students in 42 kindergarten through fifth grade classes once every six school days for 45 minutes each. So far, I have only used the projector for three days. However, the students who have already seen appropriate grade level videos about brass musical instruments have certainly enjoyed them. Their eyes have been glued to the screen, and upon questioning them, they even learned something!! That's what it's all about.

When the DonorsChoose grant process was explained to my students, they were quite interested, and when asked, were very anxious to write thank you notes. One attached photo shows a fourth grade class completing notes for those of you who requested them. It goes without saying that all of you have my heartfelt thanks for all that you have done for my kids! ”

With gratitude,

Mr. Neumann

Thank you so much for supporting our art program with art-specific books and videos!

Often on days where the scheduling for the school is adjusted, either due to testing or other events, we are forced to have "mass preps", where an entire grade or several classes are put together in the auditorium under the supervision of myself, the art teacher, and other content specific teachers. The kids usually end up watching videos, and many of the students scheduled for art that day are devastated. Having art videos allows me to still teach a valid art lesson to a large group, and the kids and other teachers are happy to be watching something of value that increases their knowledge.

Even on a smaller scale, the videos that feature other artists give my students access to the working methods of professional artists besides myself. At the moment, they are excited to have seen the great late Jacob Lawrence at work in his studio, and to see the phenomenal Faith Ringgold in action.

The books provide a literacy connection to the arts, and give the kids the information about artists' lives that they are interested in. These books also contain reproductions of the works of the artists in question, works that our students may not otherwise have access to. They use the books as reference and inspiration!”

With gratitude,

Ms. PRIMOSCH

Thank-you so much for your generosity towards my students and my music program at my school. We are a low income school and the current unemployment rate has hit our students' families very hard. The pencil sharpener works really well, and the students are still amazed that it only takes 4 seconds for them to sharpen their pencil.

This device helps keep the room cleaner because students are not using little manual pencil sharpeners that leave shavings everywhere. It also is increasing the amount of instruction time because of how fast it sharpens the pencils. Thank-you so much for your generosity.

Please continue to support this wonderful website in helping deliver needed resources to our countries schools. The donations from people like you have greatly impacted my teaching on a daily basis. My school cannot afford to give me a budget to supply instruments, music, or repairs. Everything I do is through fund-raising at my school, grants, and this wonderful website.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Jazo

I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate your generosity. The Roland keyboard amp that was donated to us has been able to help our ensembles reach their full potential. We have a bassist and guitar player, and keyboard player in our jazz ensemble and they each can connect to a high quality speaker to be heard, thanks to the amps 4 independent inputs. I am truly blessed to have such an amazing group of students and this project has allowed me to expand upon their creativity. Thank you so much! ”

With gratitude,

Mr. Barnes

Thank you so much for funding this proposal! The Smart Board is such a vital classroom resource, and without your generosity, we would not have a working board.

I teach music to every student in the school. We use the Smart Board every day in every class. The ways we use it are endless - to project books we are reading, to view music, to watch videos of performers, and to interact with website name a few. The students have access to cutting edge technology through the Smart Board.

With our frequent usage of the board, comes expense - in that the bulb does burn out. These bulbs last a few years, but they are expensive to replace. With school budgets shrinking, it would not be easy to ask for a new bulb. Thanks to you, this is not an issue!

My students are thrilled and are so grateful for your generosity. ”

With gratitude,

Ms. Mason

I deeply appreciate the generous donation of tambourines to my classroom. With your support, I've created a positive learning environment that is very lively, yet promotes both leadership and creativity. The tambourines have made my class a lot of fun and has encouraged many of my students to learn more about capoeira and music.

Without your help, my students would never experience the magical power of music in capoeira and discover musician within them. Thanks for helping me inspire my students to learn.”

With gratitude,

Ms. San Agustin

Thank you all for giving in order to benefit these students. We are so glad that so many people were a part of this project. You worked together in harmony to help us make our music better. That is a great lesson and example for these kids.

The kids will be able to hear true sound reproduction and know what their instrument should sound like when played well. This tool will help our kids move to the next level in their studies. Thank you for helping us provide high quality instruction and resources to these children. ”

With gratitude,

Mr. Flemons

Thank you so much for funding the purchase of the string supplies for my elementary music program! There are so many students interested in studying a string instrument and the demand is exceeding the supply.

Throughout this year, the students have already learned many notes on their instruments and can play different songs. Next year, we will have more readily available cellos and basses for the low strings section of the orchestra allowing for more participation. It is important for me to help the cello and bass sections grow in the orchestra to create a well-balanced ensemble. Many students end up studying the violin because of the larger supply, but not the cello or bass because of the limited supply.

The Winter Concert was a big hit and all students received many compliments, particularly my young cellists and bassist, for their strong sound. They have inspired the new beginning students on these instruments.

Again, thank you for your generosity. On behalf of my school and our music department, we really appreciate the donation of the string supplies to our school! ”

With gratitude,

Ms. C.

I wish you'd been there when my kids discovered a stage in our classroom! They were so excited. They all wanted to be the first group at the stage. It got even better when my principal came in a few days later and asked me, "How do you use the stage?" She became just as excited as I explained this was a learning station in our classroom!

You generous donation has really enhanced our learning environment. During stations the kids are able to become so much more creative during dramatic play. They now LOVE telling a story because using our imagination is so much more fun.

Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and my busy students. Your support means so much to my students.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Cronk