I am passionate about inspiring creativity in my students, who by their demographics are limited in their ability to be exposed to the arts. I also want to help them develop mentally, socially, and emotionally. Creating art may boost these young children's ability to analyze and problem-solve in myriad ways. As kids manipulate a paintbrush, their fine motor skills improve. By counting pieces and colors, they learn the basics of math. When children experiment with materials, they dabble in science. Most important perhaps, when kids feel good while they are creating, art helps boost self-confidence.
Children who feel able to experiment and to make mistakes feel free to invent new ways of thinking, which extends well beyond the classroom.
My Project
I have been teaching at my school for 22 years now. I have always made sure that despite the limits of my own personal budget, or the one that my school gives to me, that art materials will always be available in my classroom. I know that not every student is able to perform at a high academic level. But I know that some students flourish best in the arts.
For some students, the time they REALLY shine is in the arts!
How can I deny them this? Art materials can be very pricey though, and since they are consumable, I have to use my limited budget to cover academic essentials such as pencils, paper, crayons, and glue sticks. However, having the materials needed to explore and expand their creativity is even more essential to a well-rounded education- one that is accessible to everyone!
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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 Mrs. Pelton and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
