Engaging, inspiring, motivating reasons to come to school is what students seem to lack these days. With budget cuts and a high focus on test scores, students are rarely given the chance to express themselves creatively. But by bringing back art we will bring back a reason to come to school.
To “direct ones hopes or ambitions toward achieving something” is the definition of aspiring, which is the word I would use to describe our students.
Among being gifted and talented, students here at our school are in constant need of being challenged in a DIFFERENT way. Everyday lessons in math and language arts provide students with what they NEED to learn, but our school is lacking what students WANT to learn, which in this case is art.
I work in a 5th grade classroom and what I have noticed among the students in the 4th, 5th and 6th grade, is school is becoming a very dry, boring place to be because they come to school, learn how to pass a test, take the test, and learn how to pass the next one. Because of the high focus on test scores, our school lacks funding for art teachers and supplies, but mostly time in the classroom dedicated for art. "Ms.L, when will we get to do art?", is not an uncommon question in the classroom, and unfortunately the answer is usually,“I am not sure."
My Project
Now imagine a place where students can express themselves without getting in trouble, a place where there is no right or wrong answer, but more importantly a place that will give students a reason to come to school. With your help, a place just like this will be created this school year.
This school year I will be establishing an after school art club: Works of heART. With this art club, students will be given the chance to express and challenge themselves in ways they can’t in the classroom. Among the items I am requesting are, paint brushes, sketch pencils, and colored chalk, which come in sets and will be shared by the students. These art supplies will enhance the artistic experience, enabling me to teach students about the fundamentals of art. Students will also be able to work hands on with materials and create something concrete and real to them. By having these materials we will also create something that is intangible, but is just as important, which is pride in their work.
Many students have trouble being successful in general subjects, and in turn, drop out of school or go through school feeling discouraged or depressed because their lack of success.
Having an art club will provide students with an opportunity to succeed and in turn, be the positive influence that will encourage students to stay in school and for some, it might be the career path they might later choose. In giving students this chance to succeed, I have no doubt they will rise to the occasion.
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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. Labrador and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
