At the end of the school year, I want to to empower students through art. I want them to have an appreciation for the arts and for them to have built confidence through the arts. It is my ultimate goal for them to be exposed to various artists, styles, cultures, and mediums.
My students come from a very low-income, inner city area.
Eighty-eight percent of the student population at my school are eligible for free or reduced price lunch. Most of our students have very rough home lives and come to school every single day with baggage. They are in need of even the most basic needs, such as food and clothing. Our students desperately need art. It is their therapy!
My Project
I am requesting Papier Mache half masks for a Mardi Gras art lesson. Through this lesson, students will be learning about the history of the Mardi Gras holiday. Students will learn that Mardi Gras was originally celebrated in medieval Europe, particularly Italy and France. The first record of celebrating Mardi Gras is in the United States in the early 1700s. These celebrations were in New Orleans and were more like fancy balls and dances. In the 1800s, the first Mardi Gras parades began, and the king of the parade became a regular symbol of the festivities. Mardi Gras was declared a legal holiday in Louisiana in 1875.
Added to this, students will learn about the symbols and colors of the holiday.
There are many famous symbols that represent this exciting holiday. Many people enjoy a King Cake. This sugary dessert has a plastic baby baked inside. The tradition is that the person who gets the piece with the baby inside will have good luck and prosperity. Mardi Gras beads are necklaces that many people wear. They are often made in the official Mardi Gras colors of gold which represents power, purple which represents justice and green which represents faith .
Students will be using the elements of art and principles of design to create their very own Mardi Gras mask. We will discuss symmetrical balance, types of lines and shapes, color, pattern, and texture. Their masks will be decorated using feathers and sequins.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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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. Hofstetter and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
