Guitar Persuasion

Here is what I would do to acquire a set of guitars:

Approach the PTO/PTA with a budget of what you want, i.e. 15 guitars / 15 student books, etc. Explain that this would enable students to sit with a partner and share one guitar and one book. If they know you have a plan, then you are ahead of the ball game.

Next, explain that guitar is an extension of the piano. Boomwhackers® and xylophones use chord progressions to accompany songs, but guitars actually bring the entire chord progressions into the students' hands. It's a wonderful way to enable the students to transfer their knowledge from one instrument to another. By sitting with partners, they can also act as teachers and students together. Helping someone else learn a concept enables the student to "own the knowledge."

Guitar classes will also enhance students' reading skills by reinforcing left to right reading progression. It offers an increase in vocabulary with new terminology and songs, along with enhancing their music skills.

I would build on the concept of being a part of the biggest team at school. Playing music together requires an extraordinary amount of team effort and cooperation. Students need to share, respect each other, and work together for a common goal. They also gain a tremendous amount of self-confidence when this goal is achieved. Incorporating the school mascot name into the name of a guitar session, i.e., "Jammin' Tigers" or "Strumming Eagles," is another good way to increase team spirit.