This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Teaching art in a low-income district generally puts my classroom needs last on the list of items for the school's budget. But research has shown that by integrating the arts into elementary education we can help students broaden their way of thinking which in turn helps close the achievement gap. In our district, arts education can’t close the achievement gap if low-income students lack access to it. And unfortunately, U.S. Department of Education data suggests that an opportunity gap does exist, with low-income students less likely to have access to arts education than their higher-income peers.
At our school, I work with students who are using art to help them think critically but also help them heal from the social injustice that plagues the world around them.
With better tools, resources, and experiences the students at my school have the potential to excel in arts education. They are also able to see how it can help them in the future and help the community around them. Help me provide the best art experience possible for my amazing scholars.
My Project
Recently our school acquired an amazing outdoor lot where we have worked round the clock to build five outdoor classroom areas and almost a dozen garden beds. This space is being utilized by our students who are in-person, students who live in the neighborhood but are virtual learners, and community members who wander over to the area.
We are in need of a few tools to help us maintain our beds, repair any normal wear and tear, and build future structures.
With the daily use of hundreds of students, eventually, things are going to need a quick repair here and there. And as the space grows we will need to build more garden beds. We also hope to give students real-life construction and repair skills that they can use to build and create future projects on their own using found objects. It is with the intention that we have selected smaller, lighter tools that can be handled by younger (third, fourth, and fifth grade) students. These tools, in conjunction with a community partner who teaches woodworking, will be teaching the basics of woodworking and construction. We have some hand tools, but this will be a great addition to what we currently have on hand. The wheelbarrow will be instrumental in helping students transfer their compost to each raised bed.
Our school's outdoor MakerSpace is being utilized by every classroom in the building to engage students in dramatic play, a stage for reading and performing their writings, a sound garden where we are creating beats and tempo, an art circle with work tables for creating outdoor artworks, and a garden area for scientific exploration.
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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 Dr. Tate and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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