My students need basic art materials, such as drawing paper, markers, colored pencils, and watercolors to help them create masterpieces this school year.
"Ms. Bivens, you're a real artist!" is a frequent statement my kids exclaim while I'm demonstrating a drawing or painting technique. I remind my students that everyone is an artist, especially them!
My school is a very rural, Title I school in a low socioeconomic area.
Our district participates in a universal breakfast and lunch program where every student in the county receives both meals for free at school.
Despite this, my students have an enormous amount of love for art, which is evident in the excitement I see everyday they come to my class. Their eyes light up when I greet them at the door and they are always anxious for me to stop demonstrating their project so that they can get started. When I'm on breakfast duty in the cafeteria students come up to me asking if they have art today or if they are going to work on a specific project. I've never had students with such enthusiasm for art!
Unfortunately, in our town, students will only have art in elementary school as it is not available at the middle and high school. Thus, I'm trying to make their elementary art experience as rich and memorable as possible.
My Project
Have you ever tried to use a marker that is running out and someone tells you to use it anyways? Shake it, dip it in water, let it rest for a bit! It can be frustrating, but these are the crazy magic tricks my students and I often try to keep our materials alive for as long as possible.
The basic supplies in our art room are now on their last leg and limping badly! It's time to let them retire and rest in pieces. We are in need of basic items such as drawing paper, construction paper, markers, colored pencils, and watercolors. These new supplies will impact my students greatly by allowing them to focus on their techniques and artwork instead of the the quality of their materials. Less frustration, more creation!
"Every child is an artist.
The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." - Pablo Picasso. Please help my students to see that as long as they are using their imaginations and creativity, they will always be "real artists".
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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. Bivens and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.