Drums and DonorsChoose

After three years of teaching at my school and dreaming/talking about getting a world drum curriculum started in my general music classes, I've finally found the momentum to make it happen for next year. I've revived my DonorsChoose.org efforts, encouraged by the current offer by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to match all donations towards college-preparation-geared proposals in low-income schools. So currently, I have three drum-circle proposals active and two of them are on their way towards getting funded already since posting a week ago!

I'm hoping to build a collection of percussion instruments big enough that I can do year-long drum circles in my general music classes next year. I don't have much experience with drumming, but I know that my students would benefit IMMENSELY from this type of collaborative, trust-building creativity. This year, we worked for about 5-6 weeks on learning to play recorders (which I plan on repeating next year) and in that time I saw the glimmers of confidence and discovery and even reflection on learning in my students that I long to see more of. Most of them have very low self-esteem when it comes to school. My music class should be a place where they can come and feel successful--that's my goal.

So I'm starting with DonorsChoose to get the drums and other instruments.

In addition to getting the stuff in my hands, I'm signed up to take djembe drumming lessons at the Old Town School of Folk Music starting in a few weeks. And I'm connecting with a non-profit called Memory Bridge who offers teachers a curriculum for connecting students with seniors who have Alzheimer's. I'm considering leading this program at school next year, so to learn more about it, I'm shadowing a group of students at another high school in a drum circle training and then a session with seniors next week.

I've set up a google site to explain what I do and what I want from these projects. Please visit it and consider donating if you're able. And even better, pass on this link to anyone you think might support my classroom.

Here's the link: Bit.ly/Kendall
Visit it. Read it. Forward the link.

More on bit.ly later... I love it.