This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Teaching art in a low-income district generally puts my classroom needs last on the list of items for the school's budget. But research has shown that by integrating the arts into elementary education we can help students broaden their way of thinking which in turn helps close the achievement gap. In our district, arts education can’t close the achievement gap if low-income students lack access to it. And unfortunately, U.S. Department of Education data suggests that an opportunity gap does exist, with low-income students less likely to have access to arts education than their higher-income peers. With the help of DonorsChoose my classroom is able to close our resource gap!
At our school, I work with students who are using art to help them think critically but also help them heal from the social injustice that plagues the world around them.
With better tools, resources, and experiences the students at my school have the potential to excel in arts education. They are also able to see how it can help them in the future and help the community around them. Help me provide the best art experience possible for my amazing scholars.
My Project
Recently I have brought some of my children's old Duplos to school to help my youngest artists work on their fine motor skills. The Preschoolers and Kindergarteners have loved the chance to build, create and play with Legos in the art room. The only problem is, we need more!
Literacy-focused Lego sets will offer an additional, creative, and cross-curricular way for my youngest students to practice letter recognition and build site words.
Kids know exactly what to do when they are handed a box of Legos, so this is a perfect opportunity to create building challenges, sight word games, and letter play. In addition, I have added an "emotions" set to practice social/emotional learning and literacy as well.
Technology is great for students, but nothing replaces physical toys in their hands. The act of building, creating, and playing with Legos can never be replaced. Help me give this timeless adventure to my youngest little rockstars!
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 Dr. Tate and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
{"pmaHash":"","schoolCity":"Saint Louis","showProjectRecommendations":true,"teachersOnPage":[4582581],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"MO","teacherPossessivePronoun":"their","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":1,"name":"Early Education"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"proposalId":6111924,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":1,"completingDonationAmount":0,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/legos-to-build-literacy-in-the-art-room/6111924/","verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":350,"teacherScreenName":"Dr. Tate","isEquityFocus":true,"authorIds":{"4582581":{"owner":"Dr. Tate","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":1.0,"proposalsOnPage":[6111924],"proposalHash":"-1532110466","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":100.00,"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4582581_orig.jpg?crop=1440,1440,x0,y0&width=136&height=136&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1663723193708","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":21,"teacherChallengeId":20965462,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":{"completingDonationAmount":642,"proposalURL":"project/squish-squish-building-hand-dexterit/8288221/","proposalTitle":"Squish, Squish... Building Hand Dexterity Through Play","proposalId":8288221},"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":4582581,"schoolCounty":"St Louis City","fullyFunded":true,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"MO","name":"Missouri"}}
