My inner city K-8 elementary students have not had advantages or experiences that make larger world etiquette and culture familiar, let alone welcoming. Home is often a single parent, guardian, or older sibling upbringing due to familial and environmental disruptions. My students need to belong is sometimes more compelling than an education or opportunity that might transform their lives. Teaching students to make better choices, while building character and empathy for self and others is essential, and is at the heart of our school mission.
My students are energetic, creative, thoughtful, and simply need to make the vibrant, meaningful and genuine connection to their learning to see that it's all worthwhile.
In a transformative effort, I have proposed and received a Victoria Foundation grant for the 2018-2019 SY to strengthen social-emotional learning with a broad definition of the arts as anchor and springboard to launch creative excitement and enthusiasm throughout the school. Hip Hop elements, culture, and values will be studied and will feature in performative events and exhibitions shared throughout the school and community. Also included will be practices of creative writing, visual arts, clay, graphic design, journalism, newsletter production, peer tutoring, and creative exchange with outside programs.
My Project
The traditional chairs in our art room are very stable, except they are hard to shift, have legs that stick out to tangle and trip, and entice differently sized students to swing, kneel, or lean out dangerously in order to position themselves for their creative work. Equipping the art room with simple, adjustable stools will eliminate these issues and streamline students engaging their creative process.
Your funding towards adjustable stools in our art room will create a manageable space where students can safely sit at an appropriate height for their creative engagement while stowing under the table when not in use.
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