My students need a sewing machine and extra felt pieces to help embellish plain clothing to create their Drama Club costumes to perform in front of family and friends.
Booker T. Washington stated that "Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others." I feel like my commitment to the students I work with is to provide wonderful opportunities for them that maybe have not or will not be available at home.
The students I work with are eager to soak up any new experience given to them.
During the regular school day there is not a lot of time to engage in creative art projects like painting props or creating costumes for a play, so a colleague of mine and I came together to provide an after school club our students with an experience they may have never been introduced to. Our school is a Title 1 school so the program is funded primarily through the teachers and can tend to be limited to the resources available. I felt that the students would take more pride in their work if they are able to create the materials and be involved in the process.
My Project
The Drama Club last year consisted of 12 students and many donated items to help create props and costumes. To help with the costume design and encourage creativity I have asked for a sewing machine and a package of felt pieces that could be used to embellish plain t-shirts or create extra materials needed for props to make the play more real. I remember when I was growing up, my mom often sewed clothing for Halloween costumes. I quickly became interested in this art form and craft and she taught me how to sew little things like clothes for Barbies or simple bags for friend's birthday gifts. Last year we glued on pipe cleaners to create a hedgehog costume and most of the pieces needed to be reapplied after each practice, which took time away from practice. Not only will a sewing machine help keep costumes intact for several performances, but will also provide a skill that could potentially turn into a hobby or even vocation.
Most of the students who participate in the Drama Club are students who need help in the area of reading fluency.
The Drama Club creates a small community of life long learners and builds up character and confidence as a student. The students at our school need role models in their lives to make the best choice for themselves, but also need to be given an experience to help build the leader in them Allowing students to create their own costumes will help provide a wonderful learning experience.
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