Our high school is located in the middle of Honolulu with a small student body of a little over seven hundred students. Although the student body number is low, the percentage of economically disadvantaged is high. The student profile of economically disadvantaged is 59%.
I was surprised that many of my art students last year had never experienced art media such a paper mache, watercolors, and ceramics.
I assumed that during their elementary or middle school years they had experienced it.
My Project
I am a strong believer of student voice; therefore, last year I created a few in-class student surveys to provide me feedback with the art projects I assigned throughout the school year. As I read the students' surveys, a high number of students had an interest in ceramics. After gathering this data, I wanted to include ceramics in my art class; however, sadly, the school kiln was not working and there were no ceramic materials. Nevertheless, last month I found a generous private school teacher who fixed our kiln for free! The only thing needed to support my students interests were the ceramic materials.
Besides student interest, students will be learning about the art element of SPACE.
Our school year is broken up into four quarters. Each quarter I introduce one or two art elements which are reflected in an art project. Students who complete the “Captivating Capricious Clay Canvas” project will be reflecting the art element of SPACE by using the coil technique to cover their clay slab or canvas to create a picture or design. We'll need the requested Blackjack Low Fire Clay, Kemper Straight Needles, Boxwood Clay Tools, Amaco Opalescent Glazes, and Wire Clay Cutters.
My students will have a greater understanding of how artists use the element of space in their art pieces due to their experience of problem solving to cover their clay canvas.
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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. Kitamura and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
