My students are inspired little artists before they even walk into my classroom, full of ideas and a passionate need to create art. More than half of the students at W. Elementary come from low-income families and giving them the opportunity to learn and explore new materials in my classroom, some of which they would never be able to experience otherwise, is what drives me to provide for them.
The students at WES are brilliantly creative.
These kids are deserving of an environment where their imaginations can run wild! I have worked endlessly to create a space that promotes creativity. I spent a lot of time painting the walls and organizing the supplies in my classroom to represent that of an actual art studio. Being a materials-based classroom, we go through SO many materials that, with our budget, it is hard to find some wiggle room for some extra things that the kids need to really experience and be successful in a 21st-century elementary art classroom.
My art class fosters young imaginative minds, and I want to send them off into a bright future in the arts. Whether that’s fine art, graphic art, design, architecture or engineering...Possibilities!
My Project
I would really like to get a few iPad minis for the art classroom! It would be great to have different art apps downloaded for kids to explore new and creative ways to make art. Digital art is taking over, being a very major applied arts career choice, and it would be great to give students at the elementary level the experience of graphic design, illustration, animation, and much more!
With iPads there are many exciting learning experiences that merge traditional, tactile art-making processes and with innovative content, techniques and ways of thinking.
My philosophy for technology integration as part of a meaningful visual arts education is simple – take advantage of what these powerful, digital tools can offer. It’s not about getting rid of the hands-on techniques that support teaching and learning…far from it! We will incorporate iPads into the ‘messy making’ experiences that merge paint and pixels.
Art is an experience and and an experiment. Exploring and trying new ways to push the boundaries of art will only further promote a love for creating.
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