This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
The children I work with are incredibly resilient and strong. They endure many hardships as city kids residing in an impoverished section of Philadelphia. Every morning I am greeted by 30 adorable, free spirited kindergartners. Sadly, behind some of those smiles lurk fear, hunger and sadness. Many of them go to bed hungry and lay in beds with siblings sharing one blanket; gunfire is not an unfamiliar sound for them while trying to get sleep.
Sharing their stories is heartbreaking, but these kids have so much spunk and I love them for it!
As a class, we share many giggles and tears throughout the school term. I emphasis that we are a FAMILY for the ten months we are together. I believe the kids feel that connection and strive to do their best despite hardships they endure outside of school.
Their unfiltered honesty is my favorite part! They are sure to tell me when I look tired or how they like my hair! The girls get excited when I switch to a funky nail polish color or wear a new pair of shoes. They have the best humor and the silliest of things create the biggest belly laughs!
My Project
Too often it's the Arts that are eliminated from budgets and my school district followed suit with that cut. Luckily my principal sees the benefit of the Arts and encourages Kindergarten teachers to have a weekly Art lesson. However, limited school budgets don't allow for supplies to be purchased. I have scoured the internet for projects requiring minimal supplies, but materials are necessary even for the simplest projects.
My students love expressing their inner artist!
I would love to continue making art projects exciting, but I need materials. Creating characters and settings from stories is a favorite of theirs! Art has become a favorite time and I would love for it continue all year.
Nearly all 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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