Stock "Mother Hubbards" Art Cupboard
Verified Non-Profit
$50
$2,500 goal
The Description
With these funds I will be able to purchase our own portfolio drawers. Our daily class starts with a rap to get the "troops" motivated: "When you hit the door, put your books on the floor. When you hit the door, put your books on the floor. Then you go to your drawer & you get your work & get started (what?!), get started (what?!), get started, started, STARTED!"
They often ask me, "Ms. O., what are we doing today?" I reply by telling them: "What we do every day: CREATE GREAT ART!" And, we do. We will be creating GREATER Art this school year. The only difference will be that my budding artists won't have portfolio drawers to store their work. Our 30-drawer portfolio drawers were on loan to us, by a sister campus that didn't have the space. At the end of the 2013-2014 school year, they came to reclaim their portfolio drawers. My students had to make, paper portfolios to store their works.
My students know that I expect them to take pride in their work, whether it's written homework or hands-on art work. I frown on any work that is submitted in a crumpled state. I tell them that the "presentation" makes an impact on how the viewer regards their work. When we go to art events or competitions, this is one of the categories their works are judged on: neatness. Without appropriate storage, their works aren't protected. This lessens their chances when they compete against their peers.
Back Up Plan
If we don't reach our entire goal we will use the monies for much needed art supplies. Many of my students can't afford the needed supplies. I recall the day I brought a coconut to class to teach about "texture". WOW! Many of the students had never seen a coconut before. They asked questions like: "Is there real milk inside?" Their reactions & questions told me that they are eager to learn & experiment with paints, clay, linoleum for block printing, textiles, oil conte', mosaic tiles etc.
About the Creator
My wonderfully, spirited students come from various backgrounds. This makes for a wide spectrum of opportunities to take them on a journey through the diverse expressions of Art, while pulling from these backgrounds.
I teach Art at a charter, middle school, located in a poor neighborhood. The kids are in that threshold of self-identity/expression. I use it to my advantage as a teacher, as they are still pliable & I can shape their consciousness for the subject of Art. Many of my students struggle with certain learning & behavioral challenges. The Art studio, for them, is the one place that they tend to wax eloquent, freely. The challenge is reigning in all this amazing talent that comes bursting into the room!
I've come to realize that, creatively, not all my students are skilled and/or gifted in the same things. So, in order to keep them ALL engaged, I have to skillfully identify (sometimes by sheer accident) what area(s) in Art each student is "great at". Then, watch them shine!
My students are talented & could really develop their knowledge, skill level & appreciation for Art, if they had more supplies available for their use. I want to introduce them to the practical use of various Art media, to expose them to the world of Art & broaden their world view.
Some of my 6th grade students learned to quilt for Black History Month. One student's quilt project was entered into an art competition. The narrative quality of this quilt & how she presented it, won over the judges & earned a medal, with a score of 59/60! Art supplies would fuel the flame of such talent.
At the Junior Visual Arts Scholastic Event competition, we earned 5 medals. Yet, the beaming faces of my students, as they left the rooms, where they were interviewed, was more rewarding. Especially compared to how they felt going in. The great thing about that experience is now seeing my students really taking in the material they are taught--having seen what they can achieve when they apply themselves. We accomplished this with limited resources & materials. We can do more with even more.
Investments (1)
Anonymous
10 years ago
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