"I teach English as a Second Language at a large urban high school in Illinois. My job is it to make sure the 110 high school students who are entrusted to me are ready for college next year. This is a momentous task. They work hard to achieve the goal of the American dream. Many of them study hard a...
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"I teach English as a Second Language at a large urban high school in Illinois. My job is it to make sure the 110 high school students who are entrusted to me are ready for college next year. This is a momentous task. They work hard to achieve the goal of the American dream. Many of them study hard and have little fun besides going to school and doing homework and helping at home with chores. I want to offer them more after school than just more work. I used to sponsor an afterschool club that focused on learning journalism and publishing skills and we published two Zines each year. I know that many of these students would like to learn publishing skills as well. However, unlike just learning publishing skills and writing stories, I want to get these students involved in greater projects of helping and volunteering and to really feel that what they are doing is helping in some greater way.
Since my students come to me from all corners of the world, it would be great to have an afterschool club that focuses on art from all over the world. However, we will start by focusing on the art of the Caribbean first and as the year progresses, include the projects from other parts of the world. Since I have been to Haiti many times and I work with schools in the Port-au-Prince area on my vacations from school in the US, my students will have the opportunity to actually share their projects with three schools in Port-au-Prince.
I want my students to learn and develop the art of the Caribbean by learning embroidery, music, and dance. Since we have an annual dance event in the spring where clubs perform their ethnic dances, I would like my students to develop a dance that could represent any one island of the Caribbean.
We will need art supplies in the form of beads, sequins, and drums. We will journal our progress in the club in the form of a school magazine that will be published at the end of the year showcasing the students’ art work and stories of what they have learned from their time in the club. These students will not only learn how to replicate art from the Caribbean, but also learn some drumming and dancing along with journalism and publishing skills.
Help these students to learn about things they would never learn about unless they have a chance to attend this after school club. They are wonderful and very hardworking students who need a little help to broaden their horizons by learning about art, dance, and music of the Caribbean and journalism and publishing skills, skills they will be able to use for many years to come.
My students need various craft supplies like beads, art wire, and pliers.
See Mrs. A.'s class participating in this project!
(Enlarge photos)
Oct 21, 2009
Dear Trisha,
It is getting cold here in the Midwest; how much fun is it to have the students come in my room feeling like they just stepped onto a Caribbean Island? This is what my club feels like. I am so fortunate to have students from all over the world interested in making crafts and sharing their work with others to help those less fortunate. My students are so excited about our club activities they keep asking me to stay late on more days. Thank you for your support. When I started this after school club, I did not realize just how much these children need this type of outlet doing hands-on activities like creating crafts and making music.
Again, thank you for allowing us to having more fun than a barrel of monkeys and actually learning valuable skills.
With gratitude, Mrs. A.
Mrs. A. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Oct 18, 2009
Dear Trisha,
It is getting cold here in the Midwest; how much fun is it to have the students come in my room feeling like they just stepped onto a Caribbean Island? This is what my club feels like. I am so fortunate to have students from all over the world interested in making crafts and sharing their work with others to help those less fortunate. My students are so excited about our club activities they keep asking me to stay late on more days. Thank you for your support. When I started this after school club, I did not realize just how much these children need this type of outlet doing hands-on activities like creating crafts and making music.
Again, thank you for allowing us to having more fun than a barrel of monkeys and actually learning valuable skills.
Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.
Molly L. (volunteer)
on Oct 15, 2009
Verified the cost of the requested supplies and posted this project.
John C. (associate)
on Oct 15, 2009
"I helped because I'm a strong believer in ESL education."
A donor
gave
on Oct 15, 2009
"I hope this helps you to continue to inspire your students. "
Trisha
from theodore, AL
gave
on Oct 18, 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."
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Molly L. (volunteer)
on Oct 15, 2009
