I teach art at a small elementary school in New York for students with severe disabilities. The students in my school are between four and eleven years old. There are twelve 6:1:1 classes (6 students, one teacher, and one paraprofessional), one 8:1:1 class (8 students, one teacher, and one paraprofessional) and one 12:1:1 class (12 students, one teacher, and one paraprofessional). Most of the students in my school are amazing and unique artists who happen to have Autism Spectrum Disorder.
My students really love creating art, exploring new art-making materials, and showing their work off when it is finished.
They thrive in an environment that is hands-on and interactive.
My Project
Every year I use sketchbooks with my older students (3rd through 5th graders) as a tool to help them express themselves and to practice their drawing skills. The sketchbooks give the students ownership of their own work as they are responsible for keeping track of it. They also provide a safe space to flush out ideas and thoughts.
Unfortunately, this year the art budget has been severely cut and I need your help to make sure all of my students still get sketchbooks.
This year more than any other I think it is important for students to have this tool to freely express themselves.
More than half of 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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