My students need a CD player that is reliable and loud enough to play our dance and music CDs that we utilize during performing art instructional time.
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
Save the arts! When budgets became tighter in school districts, the first area affected is the arts. What a disaster for all! I refused to discredit the amazing opportunities that dance and music can bring to children, and have continued to provide instruction in dance and music appreciation.
My students come from multi-ethnic, highly varied socio-economic backgrounds.
While predominantly Hispanic, our school is fortunate enough to consist of many ethnic backgrounds. Why not celebrate these differences? While their traditions at home may be different, there is one commonality that they all share: they love the opportunity of participating in multi-cultural dance and movement, as well as music appreciation performance.
Our school prides itself in having a high special education enrollment. Students with learning disabilities or language barriers may struggle with curriculum and feel less successful than their peers. By allowing students to participate in movement and music inspired from cultures across the globe, opportunities for those who may struggle in the core academic areas, students are able to excel and find pride in their performance. Introducing and exposing all children to various forms of cultural dance and music, can educate in respect, understanding, and compassion.
My Project
By having a reliable Multi-CD player, I will be able to switch my instruction from various songs, dances, movements with greater ease. I am currently using an unreliable, single CD player, and spend much time waiting for the disc to read. Every minute in our dance, music time is precious. By eliminating the amount of time spent switching CD's more direct time can be spent on instruction, movement, and music appreciation.
Our current CD player is not loud enough to be heard above the movements of the class. Each year, we perform for the entire school and staff. We also invite members of the community to our audience. The sheer pride that emanates from these little performers is quite moving. Students that struggle with math and language arts, can finally excel and be the best at something. These children gain confidence, cooperation skills, discipline, and cultural awareness. A simple CD Player can truly impact several young lives.
If you could see their faces light up as they perform, a picture would be worth a thousand words.
I will try, as best I can, to tell you the positive impact dance and music has brought to my students. They become closer as a group and absolutely more supportive of each other. They find pride instead of prejudice when learning about differences. They build confidence and coordination that will serve them for the rest of their lives. They learn to respect and appreciate not only art, but life.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Mirkovich-Smith and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
