the faculty articles about gitc research singing our planet green our programs how our programs work program models start a program how programs are funded what we teach who we train where we teach outreach materials program impact program costs coordinate with gitc headquarters locate a program register for a class why make music in the general classroom how to start what you ll learn what you ll receive learn at home resources find a trainer train teachers for gitc start a new class teacher downloads sponsors & friends our contributors our business sponsors our foundation sponsors our non profit partners meet the gitc artists become an artist advocate give & receive levels of sponsorship contribute through global giving register for a class here visit gitc s new improved youtube page here register for fall gitc classes 2016 fall spring 2017dates for classes with guitars in the classroom thanks for visiting our ... more guitars in the classroom wv featured in bluegrass unlimited hi friends please enjoy this portion of an outstanding article on the work of the foundation ... more marion s favorite songs & recordings for teaching literacy marion davison is not only a veteran classroom teacher of students in grades 1 and 2 . she has been ... more make your own ukulele strap from dr. joan maute gitc colorado formerly gitc south carolinia my teachers in training at van ... more the mission guitars in the classroom gitc is dedicated to expanding the role of music in education by training equipping and inspiring educators to teach through the power of song and the joy of making music . our programs include professional development for teachers classroom coaching during the school day artist residencies and direct instruction for youth in the juvenile court system . gitc empowers teachers to lead hands on music integration and student songwriting with ukuleles and guitars through an approach that promotes literacy language and academic excellence every day . the inclusion of music brings classrooms to life increasing student engagement enthusiasm creativity critical thinking collaboration and communication skills . our work gives all kinds of learners the chance to discover and celebrate their potential . as participants in the president s committee for arts and humanities turnaround arts initiative and san diego s title i for the arts program we are aligning teaching english language arts and math with music education standards . working closely with school district visual and performing arts vapa departments we welcome credentialed elementary music educators to train with us to become gitc faculty instructors and partners in school wide musical learning . in addition to improving student engagement and academic performance our work helps teachers build positive classroom communities instilling in students a sense of belonging and agency in their own learning . local and visiting musicians and musical teaching artists also play a vital role in gitc . meet our newest additions to the gitc artist advocacy team right here when students feel move sing strum and write songs together about what they are learning school becomes a joy . working with traditional folk and roots musical forms we work closely with their teachers to learn to lead the way by making these experiences an integral part of lessons every day . through partnerships with district visual and performing arts vapa departments guitars in the classroom is also working toward making guitar and ukulele a positive part of general music education . we believe that only music integration and music education together can supply students with a strong musical foundation for learning music learning through music and developing into musicians for life . please help us bring music to schools by clicking right here what we do based in san diego and active in 32 states in the u.s. and ontario canada guitars in the classroom offers ongoing programs to classroom teachers specialists and staff who want to make learning into a dynamic musical process that fully engages students . we provide loaner guitars ukuleles and musical supplies free of charge to participating teachers . our classes are taught on a weekly basis after school or on professional development in service days as well as during week long intensive summer workshops . founded in 1998 guitars in the classroom has now trained approximately 10 000 song leaders for learning who are serving well over half a million students each week . our train the trainer model makes it possible for experienced community music leaders to share their skills and knowledge with regular classroom teachers including those with no prior musical experience . our open tuning approach based on hawaiian taro patch tuning makes for a pain free beginning to playing and a smooth gradual transition into standard tuning when teachers are already able to strum sing and change chords fluently . open tuning also provides a simple and satisfying way to place instruments in the hands of their students as part of playing and singing their lessons in math science language arts social studies physical education and more . music teachers also train with us to learn a successful method for making guitar and ukulele a natural part of their general music curriculum in accordance with orff schulwerk and the common core state standards . some of them become gitc faculty trainers guitars in the classroom also teaches eco sustainability in the schools through power of songs written by artists and teachers who are devoted to living in balance with the planet . the gitc vision we envision a future in which there is a guitar in every classroom a set of ukuleles or guitars that students can play and share daily and a time when singing and strumming are an integral part of learning math science social studies language arts and more throughout the school day . based on what children experience in gitc classrooms we know this integration of music boosts their motivation confidence participation self expression cooperation communication skills and of course understanding and memorization of academic processes and facts . it all adds up to happiness creativity and increased success in school as well as a passion for making music . please join us in making this a reality for all children . and to stay informed of the latest tools for music education advocacy the most recent research on music s impact on learning and keep your finger on the pulse of musical learning in its many forms please visit our friends at the namm foundation right here . register for a class here how can you help guitars in the classroom without spending an extra nickel shop on amazon through the amazon smile foundation portal when you do your shopping at amazonsmile they donate 0.5 % of the purchase price to guitars in the classroom . bookmark the link http smile.amazon.com ch 71 1013691 and support us every time you shop . teachers we have two songwriting efforts for students and teachers going on right now . please join in the creativity and inspire your students first off gitc is partnering with the non profit my hero project to create a way to celebrate heroes and heroic ideas and action through original songwriting . simply write a song make an informal recording submit it and you and your students may win learn more by clicking here the second effort is what we are calling the the community voice project started by some wonderful gitc advocates on the east coast . they have invited us to ask students what in the world they would change if they had a magic wand this is a great class discussion starter . your students answers will be shared with a team of accomplished gitc involved songwriters and musicians to create songs to reflect what children are thinking and feeling about life on planet earth . you can participate with this tiny survey . and for those of you looking for our common core wheel for music integration here it is we ve moved our new address is gitc 2770 historic decatur rd. suite 203 san diego ca 92106 our new office phone is 619 578 2326 2015 video from the today show featuring jason mraz and turnaround arts donate upcoming events there are no upcoming events . view calendar add add to timely calendar add to google add to outlook add to apple calendar add to other calendar join the conversation you are not logged in.usernamepassword forgot registerhome blog events gallery videos newsletters press releases outreach materials teacher downloads articles about gitc stories resources contact us receive gitc s newsletter keep the music coming email recent updates register for fall gitc classes guitars in the classroom wv featured in bluegrass unlimited meet rebecca zauderer gitc classroom teacher marion s favorite songs & recordings for teaching literacy make your own ukulele strap home learn about us our programs why make music in the general classroom train teachers for gitc 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