Suncoast Credit Union

Teach all 5th grade students at LPE to begin to play the guitar. We began this type of instruction last year but due to increased class sizes we will not have enough instruments this year. Each student will have the same opportunity to experience success. The final goal would include being able to play the guitar and sing at the same time. Toward the end of the school year, our 4th grade students will be exposed to the guitars also.

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Guitars For All!

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School:
Lake Park Elementary 
Subject:
Music 
Teacher:
John Stein 
Students Impacted:
90 
Grade:
5 
Date:
September 10, 2023

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

 

A Champion For Learning - $1,699.63

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Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 175

A year ago, Lake Park 4th grade students began to play the ukulele.  This previously learned knowledge was applied this year when these same students as 5th graders began to play the guitar.  Although the two instruments (ukulele and guitar) are different, they do have things that can be transferred from one to another.  The students this year had to learn how to hold a larger instrument and then use 6 strings instead of 4. The additon of one-half size instruments allowed the smaller students to play an instrument that "fit" them.  The students initially learned to "pluck" the strings and then moved on to "strumming" when we advanced to playing chords.  We focused on the I - IV - V7 progression in two different keys.  The students were surprised how many songs could be played with just these three chords.  This involved a lot of processing for the students.  The students developed an appreciation for those people who do play lthe guitar.  Coordinating playing the guitar and singing at the same time was our final project.  Our current 4th graders are learning to play the ukulele right now, but during the last two weeks of school they will get to play the guitars to prepare them for next year.  The guitar hooks are a fantastic way to store the instruments!  They now line the back of our room and make for easy access to the instruments when it is time to play them or put them away.  Overall, this has been a great experience for our students.

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Learning to Match Fingers to Frets

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Using Two Hands Together

 

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Playing On The "B" String

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Guitar Storage

 

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Guitar Hooks

 

Original Grant Overview

Goal

Teach all 5th grade students at LPE to begin to play the guitar. We began this type of instruction last year but due to increased class sizes we will not have enough instruments this year. Each student will have the same opportunity to experience success. The final goal would include being able to play the guitar and sing at the same time. Toward the end of the school year, our 4th grade students will be exposed to the guitars also.  

 

What will be done with my students

In the beginning, students will start by learning the way to properly hold the instrument. This also includes the proper way to handle and take care of the instrument.
They will learn to both strum and pick. Students will learn by rote at the start, then transition to read different types of notation. This will include chord symbols, tab, and basic treble clef notation. The first song they will learn to play will be "A Horse With No Name" by the group "America". The students will learn different combinations of the I - IV - V7 chord progression which will open up many songs for them to play.  

 

Benefits to my students

This is a skill that students will be able to enjoy for a lifetime! Playing the guitar will give them an appreciation for playing the instrument and a respect for those around them who also play. This will be a culmination of using the many different musical experiences they have had over the years and putting these things into practice. While playing the guitar can be challenging, they will experience the rewards for their hard work! 

 

Budget Narrative

These are 1/2 size Yamaha classical guitars that are a good entry level priced guitar for beginning students. They are of good quality for a beginning students. The hooks allow for storage/organization and a way to have them up when not in use. 

 

Items

# Item Cost
1 6 Yamaha 1/2 size acoustic guitar $839.94
2 30 Hercules Guitar Hooks/Stands $748.50
3 Tax $111.19
  Total: $1,699.63

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Special Thanks to Our Presenting Partners

Suncoast Credit Union