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
I'm pleased to be working with 23 fantastic first graders. They show up ready to work with a buddy, share a story they wrote in the author's chair, or explain how they got an answer to a challenging math question.
When I stand in front of my scholars ready to teach everyday, I see eager faces staring back at me ready to learn.
While some are working below grade level, some are really starting to bloom, some are auditory learners and some are kinesthetic, but they're all trying very hard to be successful learners!
No matter what my students' challenges are, they always amaze me with how much they're achieving.
My Project
My first graders have very unique learning styles and as the person responsible for getting them to 2nd grade, I MUST have an equally creative and flexible teaching style. When my students seem upset because they don't know how to write who the main character in a story is or what their favorite part of the story was, I lean over and ask, "Can you draw that information for me?" My how their attitudes change. Other times I get students who just can't figure out a math problem. I suggest turning that problem into a picture problem. Again the frown turns into a warm smile.
Art is the answer!
Art across my curriculum is the missing component that will bring color, confidence, and a pinch of candor to my students. All of which is deeply needed.
My students need bright construction paper, colored pencils, and crayons to create their character pages in reading. We need a heavy duty pencil sharpener to keep all our pencils sharp and ready to sketch our ideas. "I can't draw" will no longer be a phrase heard in my class if we get a Chromebook.
My reluctant artists will be more than eager to follow along with a How to Draw tutorial they'll watch on a new Chromebook. We can also watch one of our favorite author and illustrator Eric Carle too. He can show us how to create vivid illustrations for our own stories with the water color and tempera paints that are on the list. The paper center will be used to keep all the construction paper safe and organized. These art supplies and Chromebook are just what my students need to help them meet with success in first grade.
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. Williams and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
