Mini-Grant Application for School Year 2021-2022

Submitted by: Randi Doo Email: jviera@my.putnamschools.org Grade Level: 7th-12th Subject: Music / Band
Co-Applicant: Email: Grade level: Subject:

School: Q.I. Roberts Jr.-Sr. High School Type: Public Grade Levels:7th-12th County:Putnam

Approx. Enrollment: 704 Number of teachers:45

School Address:

901 State Road 100
Florahome, Florida 32140

Phone: 386-659-1737 Principal:Joseph Theobold Email: j2theobold@my.putnamschools.org

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Project Title: Sight Reading Music: The Ultimate Language
Project Dates: January 2021-August 2025 Grade Levels:

Focus Area(s) :- - -

Abstract:
The idea that schools and students in America are perpetual prisoners of time, as presented in the 1994 Report of the National Education Commission on Time and Learning, has never been more real and present for education than during these COVID days for a junior/high school band teacher. (https://www.ecs.org/clearinghouse/64/52/6452.pdf) It is nearly impossible to teach music during the short school days. Days that were already consumed by the high stakes of core subjects, are now almost impossible due to absences, quarantines, and other related psychological issues that abate these brilliant teenagers. In my career, I perceive music as a saving grace. It is a subject that makes a creative young adult into an artist. A sad one into a happy one. And and less responsible one into a wholesome individual. This is all true because it takes a huge amount to discipline for someone to learn music. See, there are few things that stimulate the brain the way music does. (John Hopkins Medicine, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/keep-your-brain-young-with-music). Music, my program and your support can support hundreds of teenagers for years to come. According to the John Hopkins Institute, music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory. My plan is to purchase a software that students can use from anywhere, in school and home to continue the learning process that we start at school. Then, by using tuners, they would check on their melodies and notes from anywhere. This strategy will bridge the gap between theory and practice. This innovative solution to our lack of time due to the school day constraints or illnesses, will allow students to continue to learn music and benefit from its effects from anywhere. It would be scary to ask them to practice too much for extended periods of time without the use of tuners because they could develop bad habits or wrong techniques that would become even harder to break. This grant would be an integral part to our music program for years to come.

Proposal:

How is your project innovative?   (25 points)
All music programs out there are fatigued by the constraints of time. My idea will offer these students an innovative way to continue to learn from where ever they are and for as long as they need. In many ways, this idea will offer equity to students who require a longer practice time in order to learn as much as others. This way they can continue to improve their craft and benefit from all the effects that music carries with it for as long as they deem necessary. These programs will tremendously support my efforts, which are not few by the way. I stay with them after school every single Monday until 5:30PM and every Thursday until 7PM. I also offer summer band camps, and lunchtime support daily. However, my efforts are dwarfed by the time constraints of our school day.

How will it fit into your curriculum (include standards)? (10 points)
This idea will support and enhance many of my Florida Music Standards, not interfere with them. It will make my small-group, differentiated instruction more effective by allowing students to work on exactly what they need. It will also extend my ability to offer equitable support to all. It will definitely offer them, as my standards suggest we do, better chances to create, interpret, and respond to the arts to stimulate the imagination and encourage innovation and creative risk-taking (MU.912.F.1 -https://www.cpalms.org/public/search/Standard).

How will it encourage long-lasting change in your classroom, school or community? (20 points)
This program will have a lasting effect on my classroom and community. Our students will grow in their craft, benefit from the lasting effects of music and inspire their peers to learn more and follow their dreams for years to come. The effects of their positive, high-achieving attitudes will carry on and spread through our school and community, positively affecting them, as well as their friends, families, and others.

How will technology be utilized?  (20 points)
My plan is to purchase a software that students can use from anywhere, in school and home to continue the learning process that we start at school. The software will allow students to learn the music theory and sight reading during their school day and after going home. Then, by using tuners, they would check on their melodies and notes from anywhere. This strategy will bridge the gap between theory and practice. This innovative solution to our lack of time due to the school day constraints or illnesses, will allow students to continue to learn music and benefit from its effects from anywhere. It would be scary to ask them to practice too much for extended periods of time without the use of tuners because they could develop bad habits or wrong techniques that would become even harder to break. This grant would be an integral part to our music program for years to come.

What evidence will you collect to show student gain?   (10 points)
I will conduct pre-assessments and post-assessments and will compare the data from this innovative period against prior years of learning.

How will participants share your project results with the community?  (15 points)
This is definitely the best question of all! Our band will share their gift of music with the community for free on, at least, three separate occasions per school year. We will perform for all the members of the community at the C.L. Overturf Auditorium where we can inspire younger members of the community to dream big and follow those dreams.

Budget:

I, Randi Doo, certify that the application is complete and final, AND I verify that I have received permission to apply for these funds from Joseph Theobold,the Principal of Q.I. Roberts Jr.-Sr. High School and any other individuals required by my school district.

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