How do you feel about letting elementary students journal? Do you know the power of keeping a journal or sketchbook?
I have 240 African American students between the ages of five and fourteen who live and go to school in a poverty stricken part of a large public school system.
My students love how art makes them feel. They can express themselves, have no problems trying out new things, and are fantastic people with lots of room to grow. Our school is 100% free-lunch and most of our families live in a nearby homeless shelter. Money is hard to come by at our school, and I rely solely on donations and grants like this one to run my art program.
My Project
My students are hungry to create and express themselves in a positive, reflection, healthy way. Currently, I made sketchbooks out of recycled (usually the backs of already used bad-quality copy paper) that is stapled together. It really isn't what the youth of the future should be using, because they are worth more! They need quality, bound sketchbooks to hold their hopes, dreams and ideas! My students will be use this sketchbook to plan projects, write and communicate their ideas and opinions, and reflect on assignments. My students will gain writing and social skills as well as grow as individuals and artists.
These sketchbooks would be exciting, not just for my students, but for our learning community.
This is a great way for students to take pride in themselves, in the act of expressing emotions, and learning and experimenting with art. I know this would change my art curriculum to a great extent and allow students a way to share and make art!!!
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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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. Beaulieu and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.