My students are creative thinkers, problem-solvers, dreamers, and achievers. They are curious about learning, and they show incredible wonder about everyday experiences that we take for granted. They are eager to learn and to explore the world around them.
In our classroom, we work to show each child a deep respect for them as an individual.
My students have their own ideas, concerns, questions, thoughts, dreams, beliefs, and more. Children at this age are learning about who they are as people, and how they as people fit into larger systems such as family, school, community, and humanity. Each child comes from an individual family, with individual belief systems, customs, and values. My students come from a variety of diverse backgrounds, bringing their traditions, cultures, and values into our classroom, teaching all of us about themselves.
My students are teachers. I am constantly learning through them. They teach me about the names of a variety of bugs, the height of the tallest building in the world, and how the planets revolve around the sun due to gravity. They will continue to teach me even after they have left my classroom. I'm so lucky I get to be their teacher!
My Project
Children love music--just watch how their eyes light up and the smiles on their faces when they hear a song they love. They need and deserve time to listen to and interact with music throughout the school day. To them, music isn't a specific task only appropriate for certain times of day, it is a part of every part of their lives. With these rhythm sticks, the children would not only be able to participate in musical activities throughout the school day, but they also would have access to the instruments independently, allowing them the opportunity to create their own music, an opportunity few Kindergarteners have at school.
Children who participate in the arts (music) in school tend to not only do better in school academically, but they also tend to have increased motivation for academic tasks and a positive attitude towards school and learning.
Unfortunately, music is often one program that tends to be cut first from schools. With these rhythm sticks, we would be able to incorporate music into our classroom at any time, from specific music times to literacy to math and beyond!
We use rhythm to not only play music on a musical instrument, but we also use rhythm when speaking, reading, walking, running, jumping, etc. Rhythm is everywhere! Our hearts beat to a rhythm, we breathe in a rhythm, and we often move to a rhythm. Activities focused on developing children's sense of rhythm can help them not only learn to play a musical instrument one day, but it will also help them speak in front of others confidently, read smoothly and precisely, walk/run without tripping, and more!
More than a third 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 Ms. Courtney and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
