Drawing, Painting, Sculpting and Creating our Way to an A!
My students need the paints, markers, brushes, and special paper to learn about and create a spectacular representation of the solar system in our classroom.
My special education class includes 3rd - 5th grade students who have at least one learning disability. They also come from high poverty neighborhoods and some are also second language learners. Using art to teach gives them all the ability to be successful and learn things never before imaginable.
My school is located in a high poverty community where students view crime and violence as a natural part of life.
My students' disabilities range from Autism, Down Syndrome, specific leaning disabilities, and emotional issues combined with some also having the challenges of being second language learners. Each day my students arrive hungry and tired after on a bus for over an hour. As they get off the bus they know that they are a part of a class that is 'different' than their same age peers. Our class is a safe place where we practice that learning happens in different ways. I have learned that using art to empower students gives them all a sense of success, accomplishment, and confidence they would not get if we only used that standard curriculum.
My Project
The colored pencils and pens will be used as we introduce the planets to the students by having them each create a color filled lap book that will have a section for each unique planet. We are then going to transform our classroom into space by using balloons and paper mache to shape and paint each planets with all its characteristics then hang them from the ceiling. Glitter covered marshmallows and toothpicks will become stars and constellations. This space unit is also going to include a novel about 2 students that end up on the moon and discover gravity and temperature changes. We will complete book reports and individual projects on areas each student wants to learn about. These can include Phases of the Moon, Space Travel, Apollo Missions, A Day in the Life of an Astronaut, or they can create their own planet. Each project will be shared with the rest of the class. It will be nonstop learning and discovering and empowering. I wish you could be here.
My students have an uphill battle from the minute school starts.
Your donation is going to provide the tools needed to change that uphill battle to an engaging environment where they will be having so much fun discovering new ideas through art that they won’t even know how much they are learning until the end. At the end of each unit I like to show them the work we did on day one. This project is going to make them stronger thinkers, scientist, mathematicians, readers and team members.
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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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 Mrs. Swanger and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
