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
When I was granted kindergarten placement for my Teach for America commitment, I had much to learn about today’s kindergarten. I had visions of pretending, singing, dancing, and most of all, painting. I quickly came to learn that kindergarten has highly transformed from what you might remember!
I found conflict with the reality that there was “no time for” home center, no music box, and astoundingly, no classroom art supplies!
Then I realized the battle between high expectations verses imagination is unnecessary.
It became my big goal to supplement the rigorous kindergarten curriculum with opportunities for creativity and self-expression. So, two years ago I wrote a grant for paint gallons and paint supplies that was generously funded by donors like you on DonorsChoose.org. While the art supplies from the previous grant are a continued blessing in my classroom, my kindergarten Picassos are once again in need of paint.
My Project
I believe a replenishment of classroom art supplies will allow me to continue to integrate fun and creativity into standards based learning. The possibilities for learning in all subject areas through art are limited only by your imagination.
Math: find and paint patterns; use the basic shapes to create a picture.
Literacy: paint your favorite part of the story; show what you think might happen to the characters if the story were to continue.
Science: paint the animal you remember most from our trip to the zoo; show your favorite season.
Writing and Social Studies: Paint what you think the feeling “happiness” or “anger” would look like to accompany your “Feelings Journal” entry.
Are you curious as to what kindergarten students would create if given the chance to express themselves?
Are you willing to give them the opportunity to get messy, have fun, and learn more by balancing rigorous academics and metacognitive skills through art? Can you visualize their eager efforts to paint like Picasso?
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 Mrs. B. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.