"Imagine being the catalyst that allows an under achieving boy, non-English speaking girl and a couple of special needs kids to discover a path to success--all at the same time!
Teaching an under funded arts and humanities class in a school with 60% of its students at-risk is difficult enough. Make half of the kids in the room special needs and another quarter non-English speaking immigrants and I have to find ways to stimulate creativity and knowledge with hands-on-activities. With this project, they can learn to work together, discover talents while learning the high-stakes testing curriculum, and enhance their lives and survival skills at the same time.
I need materials to make hand stamped pillows that are created by these students. They will design and carve a stamp, print that stamp onto fabric and then sew the fabric into a pillow casing around a pillow form that they will also sew. The students will learn hand sewing, a skill they will need when away at college or out in the world.
As the students learn to trust themselves and each other, they will create pieces of art that they will be able to treasure for the rest of their lives. Additionally, their art will be combined into a wall hanging that will remain in the school as evidence of their learning and creativity. This project presents the opportunity for success with kids who don't often experience such. They already love Friday art projects. I would like to give them more than the limited paper and glue projects I can afford right now.
Your help will empower students to stay in school, find success and become contributing members of society. When kids feel the energy that comes from understanding, their entire outlook on school and learning changes. Helping at-risk kids see themselves as having future potential via increased life skills and confidence will motivate these students to continue their education on past high school. These kids are the ones we most need to help discover the positive impact they can have on the world. One little success is the first step in a lifetime of successes!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. D. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.