We are a Title I, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) academy located in the heart of Henderson. Our students represent a very culturally diverse population. They are hard-working children, in spite of the fact that over half come from low-income & working-class families. The majority receive free or reduced price lunch and breakfast. In spite of the challenges they face, they come to school eager and ready to learn. Once a week, these K-5th grade students enter my art room to put the A in STEAM. We are designing an arts integrated program to enhance and support our STEAM investigations. We imagine, create, and experiment with our ideas, materials and colors.
We are letting our imagination soar!
My students are finding new passions and ways to express themselves as well as their knowledge. I am so lucky and thankful to see every learner at our academy each week and watch them grow from year to year.
My Project
Integrating literacy into the art room will allow students to enhance their art awareness, as well as engage in another mode of learning through text. As our collection has started to grow, my students’ passion has been ignited. Frequently, students will ask me to read an art book to the class, or if they can read an art book when they are finished with their masterpiece. I see my students excited to flip through the pages and find new inspirations. By incorporating read-alouds that correlate to lessons, I can connect with students on another level, as well as model my own love of reading! Using literature, I will design hands-on projects connected to these great books. Projects include a bridge into engineering, a door into Marker Space designs, as well as color experimentation. These books will enhance the art integration classroom that I strive to create.
Books will engage students through application, allow them to explore new art styles and gain inspiration for their own creativity.
Books will also be used as a part of their Choice Based Studio Stations for when they complete a masterpiece. By growing a library of art books, with extraordinary illustrations and artistic techniques, students will be able to choose a story that interests them and enjoy independently. Exposure to these books, such as Ed Emberley's Drawing Books and “Purple, Green and Yellow” will allow students to further explore artist ideas by drawing concepts just learned. Other books that feature known artists such as Matisse and Van Gogh, will further open the world of art appreciation and bringing famous works of art into the hands of our children.
We all know literacy is key. By bridging literacy with art will connect to all disciplines, foster an excitement and passion around literature, and enable lifelong learning.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Henson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
