My students step-up when it comes to social challenges, and taking the personal risks necessary to see progress in their work. As an elective, my art classes serve 9th-12th graders of broad socio-economic diversity. I often see, in my end of semester survey, when I ask what their favorite part of the course was, they like sharing the class as a mixed age-group!!
There is a sincere interest in what other students are doing - They really examine one another's work during impromptu gallery walks, and phrase feedback carefully and constructively.
Everyone approaches the same lessons so differently, and they appreciate that in one another. They really want to build and support a strong community.
My Project
Most of my Art lessons happen via Zoom this year, with only occasional opportunities to work in the school Art Studios. High-school-aged artists crave richer, more complex projects that engage them over the course of several class-periods, and invite an investment of personal time. Being shut out of school most of the time, means, Ceramics students especially need help transporting their works-in-progress, as well as storing clay safely, for working at home. Managing clay hydration is perhaps the biggest challenge for any Ceramics artist. Having an airtight container with a flat, sturdy lid to use as a work-surface is the best way to manage the dust, as well as hydration. It also provides a way for students to safely transport their artwork back to the school so it can be fired in the kiln!
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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. Ridgway and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.