I am an art teacher at a middle school in a rural area about an hour from Washington DC. My students are sixth, seventh and eighth graders. We are in an area that is expanding in both population and diversity. This year we will be learning virtually for at least the first half of the year.
My students are artists and my classroom is their studio, but this year my students will also need to create home studios.
Each and every one of them faces their own individual challenges, some of their challenges are visible to the world, like cognitive and physical challenges. But many of my students face challenges that are not as visible, like poverty, learning disabilities and self-doubt. This year, my students will be facing even greater challenges with the pandemic and virtual learning.
I have tried to create an art studio at school and virtually where every student can leave their personal challenges at the door and instead face studio challenges that help them discover their creativity successfully so that they have the twenty-first century skills needed to face the challenges of life outside of the art classroom.
My Project
Virtual learning is hard for art students, especially when they don't have the materials that they need at home to create their art. My students need their own watercolor paint kits that they can use at home during virtual learning.
Each student will be able to learn painting techniques and explore their creative skills at home with their own paints and brushes, without the fear of spreading germs by sharing supplies.
Even when schools open again, students will not be able to share supplies.
Students will also learn the joy and responsibility of caring for your own art supplies.
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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 Mrs. Venable and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
