PTA Grant Submission

Aimee Pearsall
Chorus, grades 6-8

Proposal:

"We are the next generation to make the nation-We could be the teachers, we could be the
scientists, we could be the artists." That quote is drawn from our school theme song, in
which the lyrics, piano part, and vocal parts were written entirely by one of our 6th grade
students. The chorus students recognize the power and importance of what they can do to
make a difference through the marriage of music and text. They are smart, witty, and
driven. Though they enjoy singing in a traditional teacher-led format in chorus, they truly
love tasks that give them responsibility. They enjoy student-led activities and projects, and
most of all, creating their own, original music.

This year, I began a new curriculum in my Chamber Choir class, which includes a focus on
songwriting and creating cover songs. This includes student-centered learning of various
instruments including the ukulele, piano, and guitar. The students work in small groups
with me functioning as a facilitator rather than an instructor. This gives them an
opportunity to learn with the help of peers, which is a method of learning that elicits
transfer outside of the classroom. Students who have participated so far have felt so
empowered and excited that they have practiced at home, coming in with new ideas for the
next week. The Chamber Choir will participate in H.B.s first annual Songwriter's Coffee
House at the school; all of the songs will be original, and therefore meaningful and relevant
to my students.

Though I incorporate student-led activities in all classes when appropriate, most of my

classes (with the exception of Chamber Choir) contain between 40 and 80 students. I can
not truly incorporate songwriting into these classes with only access to five ukuleles. I am
writing this grant in order to allow for the expansion of the new songwriting curriculum
into all choir classes at H.B. The students look forward to group projects in which they can
drive their own learning; I am certain that access to instruments would only enrich their
musical experience at H.B. As stated by my eighth grade Chamber Choir students, We
enjoy working in small groups because it gives us a chance to express our own style of
music and It gives us the freedom to be creative which [we] really love to do. Im hopeful
that I can give more students access to the autonomous experience of songwriting with
instruments. Thank you for your consideration.

ITEM PRICE QUANTITY TOTAL

Kohala KG-S $22.97 17 $390.49
Soprano Ukulele
Snark Clip on Tuners $11.98 9 $107.82
$498.31
 PRICE COMPARISON FOR ITEMS

Ukuleles from sweetwater.com

1. Kala: KA-CG, Nat: $115.99

2. Kala KA-15S: $54.99
3. Kohala KO-S: $39.00
4. Accessorie Kala KC02 clip-on tuner $17.49
5. Kala KA-S: $73.99

Ukuleles from JW Pepper Accessories and Pro Audio

1. Waterman Soprano Composite Ukulele Makala 39.99
2. Kineo Ukulele Kohala 49.99
3. Soprano Tiki Ukulelel Kohala 59.99
4. Korg Clip on Ukulele Tuner $19.99
5. Snark Clip on Tuners $11.99 (10559124)
6. Martin Ukulele Strings Soprano $5.99

Woodwind and Brasswind (wwbw.com)

1. Diamond Head DU-10 Soprano Ukulele: $29.24
2. Kohala KG-S Soprano Ukulele $24.99

Amazon.com
1. ***Snark Clip on Tuners $11.98: Free shipping
2. Aquila New Nylgut AQ-4 Soprano Ukulele Strings - High G - Set of 4: $7.90 Free
Shipping
3. Meinl Percussion JC50LBNT Birch Wood Compact Jam Cajon with Internal Snares,
Light Brown $69.99

Guitar Center:
1. Diamond Head DU-150 Soprano Ukulele Natural Black Fingerboard: $27.11
2. ***Kohala KG-S Soprano Ukulele $22.97