The art room is a place for the exploration of many different types of media: pencil, paint, clay, collage, etc. The art room is a safe place for students to imagine and create, to challenge their skills and try new things.
I have the pleasure of teaching art to grades K-5 in my diverse elementary school.
My students come in excited and ready for art every day. They are curious about artists and art processes and are always eager to try new things. Our population is very diverse and with that comes a variety of experiences and exposure of students to materials and experiences outside of the classroom. Some of our students have access to paints, clay, and other materials, or museums and camps, while others may not have crayons at home. My goal is make sure that all of my students have the opportunity to explore as many different types of artists, artworks, and materials as possible.
My Project
Technology is increasingly prevalent in our schools and the art room is no exception. I concentrate on giving my young students the tactile, hands-on, messy art education that they don't always get to experience outside of the art room, but the strategic use of technology can and does enhance the interest of students. In our school we have technology for our general classroom teachers, but there is little time available to reserve it for art class. I would like two iPads dedicated solely for use in the art room.
I will use these two iPads to build a digital portfolio station in which students can photograph, upload, and manage their own portfolio of artwork.
There are several resources available with which students can manage a personal digital portfolio. Students will be able to add to their portfolio throughout their time at our school, potentially creating a digital body of work that spans from Kindergarten through 5th grade. Students will be able to see their growth throughout the school year and their elementary career as they mature and develop more complex art skills. Students and their families will be able to more easily share their artistic accomplishments with family and friends.
When not in use for digital portfolios, students can explore art apps, digital photography, stop motion animation techniques, and much more. Protective covers will help keep our iPads safe from drops and bumps to ensure a longer life.
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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 Ms. Muhlheim and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
