School is Boring?! Not if You Foster Creativity and Fun!
My students need 21 art supplies such as modeling clay, construction paper in many colors, paint supplies, drawing supplies, craft supplies and books to generate ideas.
I am an ESL teacher in a struggling neighborhood. I have grades 6-8 in one classroom because we provide a self-contained setting for the beginner and intermediate English levels. Our school is a very positive place with many opportunities for students to express themselves as individuals, but their art is limited to a teacher who comes in only about once a month and only 10-15 students of the over 550 in the school are chosen to participate.
The obstacle these students face is their lack of English, which means they have limited means of expressing themselves and also must deal with a stigma that affects their confidence. My students love to draw and love to learn about art and many are truly excellent artists. Last year they spent weeks learning and writing about the Mona Lisa. I want to build on this enthusiasm.
I know with the right supplies I can keep these students motivated and keep their confidence high. Their successes will build on each other and their pride in their art projects will definitely cross over to other subjects and academic skills. Art supplies are a great way to reward good behavior, build teamwork and most of all to have fun. In this type of neighborhood parents don't feel it is safe to let their kids play outside, so they can also carry these skills home for more positive activities!
In closing, I encourage anyone to think back to their own experience in school. The more activities that were hands-on, the more the information actually stuck! We also play to put on a play next year that is academically relevant and these supplies will make set and prop creation possible!
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