Help me give my students 45 rolls of duct tape to create a calm classroom and roses for Mother's Day!
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Purdy's classroom raised $384
This project is fully funded
My Project
Every May, as the school year begins to wind down, and the energy in my middle school classroom seems to escalate, I love to bring out the rolls of duct tape, and teach my students how to make a rose from this unusual material...because something magical always happens!
As my students learn to craft a rose from duct tape, I notice my classroom becoming calmer, and my students quieter, forming small groups around the tables, each of them intent and focused on creating a beautiful rose.
Through this special activity, I am reminded of the practice of mindfulness. I observe my students study a fabric rose in all its complexity and attempt to make their own replication in duct tape. I see how they seem to slow down, take their time, methodically cutting 2 inch pieces of duct tape for the petals, sticking them to their desk for later transformation. I marvel at their concentration, and think of the great artist Georgia O'Keeffe, who said, "Nobody sees a flower really; it is so small. We haven't time, and to see takes time - like to have a friend takes time." I look around the room, and feel their calm energy, as they industriously fold their many duct tape pieces, leaving a tiny sticky edge, how they use their scissors to create the organic curves that resemble the realistic petals of a rose, and wrap the petals around florist wire, just in time for Mother's Day.
O'Keeffe believed by looking into a flower -taking the time to really see it- it could be your world for a moment. She wanted to give us that world through her art. . .because art has that power, to create a world, to create community, to create beauty, to create calmness- it can!
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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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. Purdy and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
