"My high school students have been raised in the a culture of vulgarity; their narrow idea of culture includes hip-hop and graffiti. Period.
In a high-poverty school like our charter school, few students have traveled, attended live theater, the symphony, or visited museums. Their parents, many ...
"
MORE
"My high school students have been raised in the a culture of vulgarity; their narrow idea of culture includes hip-hop and graffiti. Period.
In a high-poverty school like our charter school, few students have traveled, attended live theater, the symphony, or visited museums. Their parents, many of them emotionally and economically distressed, are too busy with basic survival issues to attend to their children's higher needs. Unfortunately, they can no longer rely on the schools to pick up the slack. The study of the Humanities, particularly Art History, becomes a luxury in economic and cultural times like these.
I have the opportunity to open two sections of Humanities for Seniors, provided that I secure textbooks. This course would not only help fill gaps in their cultural understanding, but would prepare them for college and enhance every single day of their adult lives, be they college or workforce bound.
With the textbook "The Annotated Mona Lisa" at it's core, I plan to create a culturally rich curriculum, selecting key pieces of art, architecture, sculpture, games/ dance, and music from each major historical period. With the exposure the book provides to well-accepted masterpieces, the students will learn not only to analyze and appreciate art for it's own sake, but participate in the richer cultural dialogue they have been missing.
Greek mythology, so central to Western culture, used to be taught in the 5th grade. Since the passage of NCLB and the resulting myopic focus on test scores, mythology and many other fine arts that we enjoyed as a basic part of our own education, have hit the cutting room floor, leaving our young people stranded in a dry and impoverished curriculum.
This class, based upon the text, will go beyond a single, measurable event or experience for the students. While we will take field-trips on the free-admissions days to local museums, the class will build core knowledge and the foundation for life-long enrichment. Knowledge of the arts increases most students' college success, but even more important, their quality of life as adults and life-long learners.
My students need 40 copies of "The Annotated Mona Lisa" textbook to support a culturally rich curriculum, selecting key pieces of art, architecture, sculpture, games/ dance, and music from each major historical period.
HIDE
Mrs. D. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Jun 27, 2009
Dear Dancescape Performers, Candice Han, Emma, Sharon, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Anonymous Donor,
Once again, I offer my sincerest thanks for making a new Humanities class available to our students. The students at this high poverty, highly diverse campus will benefit from their new knowledge of the arts not only during the class, but for a lifetime. Great art makes a great friend that enriches lives far beyond graduation, in ways that we cannot even imagine for each individual student. I am convinced that an understanding of art in all its forms: painting, sculpture, music, architecture, dance ( even games) promotes students' critical thinking, reflection, and compassion. Thanks to the foundation of a text book that you have provided for us, I can build a course that will not just impact this year's students, but those in years to come. My highest hope for my students is that art will both provide an anchor of appreciation for past achievements and inspire their own intelligent creativity. Technology and the web are rapidly changing both the production and "consumption" of art. I cannot think of a more exciting time to teach this topic. Thanks for the opportunity. With gratitude,
Mrs. D.
Photos coming soon!
Region:
California (South)
Where is the classroom located? 
Submitted:
May 11, 2009
| Expires:
Aug 01, 2009
Additional Details
Level:
Grades 9-12
School type:
Charter
Teacher's funded projects:
2
Thank-you punctuality:
N/A
Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.
Jaqui O. (volunteer)
on May 17, 2009
Verified the cost of the requested books and posted this project.
John C. (associate)
on May 17, 2009
"I gave to this program because DANCESCAPE supports teachers who want to enrich their students education with music, the arts, and physical education."
Dancescape Performers
from Venice, CA
gave
in support of Dancescape May 16, 2009
on Jun 2, 2009
"Dear Dancescape:
I fear that my original thank you email of June 1 did not post. How MORTIFYING! So thank you so much for your generosity. It allows me to enrich the lives of my students with the arts in the way that mine was as a public high school student in happier budget times. As a UCLA graduate, I'm honored to be sponsored by someone from my "home." Perhaps I can bring my students up to see a show!
More to come,
Barbara Dagman"
The teacher Mrs. D.
on Jun 5, 2009
"We would love to have your students attend a show! We feature a wide range of middle through high school performers at DANCESCAPE, as well as professional dancers and choreographers. Let's definitely be in touch prior to our next show in November!"
Dancescape Performers
from Venice, CA
on Jun 5, 2009
"Hello Dancescape:
You can count on seeing us! I am having difficulty finding out much about your organization -- is there a website where I can go to learn more about you?
Thanks again,
Barb Dagman"
The teacher Mrs. D.
on Jun 8, 2009
"LOVE!"
Candice Han
from LONG BEACH, CA
gave
on Jun 11, 2009
"Hello Ms. Han:
Thank you so much for your generous support of my Humanities books! I am so very, very grateful for the help. I'll be sure to keep you posted with our progress! You are perhaps an artist too?
Sincerely,
Barbara Dagman"
The teacher Mrs. D.
on Jun 11, 2009
A donor
gave
on Jun 13, 2009
"Hello Donor! I am uncertain who you are, but I thank you for helping me to complete this project! I am now so close to being able to purchase these key books. Thank you for your support of the Humanities and the arts in public education!
All the best,
Barbara Dagman"
The teacher Mrs. D.
on Jun 15, 2009
"Have fun!!"
Emma
from Los Angeles, CA
gave
on Jun 19, 2009
"I gave to these projects because...
I believe knowledge builds self-confidence, and helps kids believe in themselves. Anything Is Possible! Thank you for being such good teachers! ~Sharon
"
Sharon
from Germantown, MD
gave
on Jun 19, 2009
"We provided DonorsChoose.org with matching funds for projects that improve college readiness. We believe that when all people in the United States have the opportunity to develop their talents, our society thrives."
gave
on Jun 19, 2009
"Dear Emma:
Thank you so much! We will have fun, and your generosity made it possible! Thanks again for deciding to make a difference. Barb Dagman"
The teacher Mrs. D.
on Jun 22, 2009
"Dear Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation:
I am honored that you closed the deal for me! Thanks for being the final and decisive donor. The class should be a success -- in fact, these books will be used by 80 students per year for years to come. Thanks again, and not just for my project, but for being the world leaders that you are.
Sincerely,
Barbara Dagman"
The teacher Mrs. D.
on Jun 22, 2009
Project fully funded!
Happy news
on Jun 25, 2009
The teacher Mrs. D.
on Jun 29, 2009
"Dear Mrs. D, You are a wonderful teacher! I'm sure many of your students will remember their senior year as the time they had a shift in their thinking, and the world opened up to them. Please keep in touch. I'm cheering you on!
Take Care, Sharon"
Sharon
from Germantown, MD
on Jun 29, 2009
"Dear Sharon:
Thanks so much for your confidence in me. I apologize if I misnamed you as "Emma" before. I will indeed keep in touch.
All the best,
Barbara Dagman"
The teacher Mrs. D.
on Jun 29, 2009
"OOPS! Dear Emma and Sharon. Please excuse my confusion-- you are two separate donors! Thanks again, both of you, for your help and support. BD"
The teacher Mrs. D.
on Jun 29, 2009
Purchased the books for Mrs. D.'s classroom and notified the school principal of delivery.
Jenni D. (staff member)
on Aug 18, 2009
Are you a donor to this project who would like to add a message? Please first sign in!
|
Support Another Project
From Ms. Y's Classroom:
$50 Needed
From Ms. Y's Classroom:
$50 Needed
|
Email
Facebook
Twitter
