We have 35 students in our Low-Incidence classrooms here at our high school. Each of our students are creative and energetic young adults. They are enrolled in a self-contained high school program due to their physical and intellectual disabilities. Our primary goal for each of our students is for them to gain independence in all areas of functioning. We want our students to be as productive in all areas of life as possible and have the highest quality of life as possible. As part of our adapted curriculum, our students work to gain independence in choosing and participating in recreational and leisure activities. We encourage them to express themselves in many way including through the Arts. Although we have wonderful staff members in the Art department, who give up planning time to work with the special education classes, These teachers are not provided with funds for materials to teach our students.
My Project
Art is an important discipline to any holistic approach to education and engages students of all needs to critical thinking skills, allows for choice and voice within instruction as well as improves fine motor skills. Low-Incidence Special Education classes are often faced with the challenge of having limited access to Elective Course registration if any at all in comparison to students without disabilities therefore when opportunities for Art, Music, PE are created, budget constraints then create another challenge. The money from “Donors Choose” would allow for these opportunities to run smoothly and consistently.
Throughout the school year, our students will be provided opportunities to express their creativity, think critically, and manipulate a variety of media in order to gain equitable access to a well-rounded education.
This year we will be creating watercolor paintings inspired by famous artists, creating clay forms as a community building fundraiser and to enhance the outdoor living space surrounding the school. We will also be creating tactile collages as well as relief prints. Special needs students will collaborate with general education students to create these carvings fostering a better sense of school community and diversity.
After their works of art are complete, our students will have the opportunity to proudly display their works of art throughout campus and in our public library. We plan to enter student work into local and national art work competitions, such as the NC State Fair and the PTA Reflections Contest. The sense of accomplishment and pride that our students experience from these activities is priceless. Budget constraints should not be an additional challenge our special needs students have to face.
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 Mr. Hunning and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
