Imagine a studio full of every possible form of material that allows for infinite creativity. My students are some of the most inventive people and my goal is to afford them the opportunity to be able to express themselves using all forms and techniques of art.
The students in my room are an incredibly diverse group of learners that come from all socio-economic and academic backgrounds, where 40+ languages are spoken daily.
Yet, art offers everyone at out school a shared language for communication because it provides them the opportunity for self-expression and exploration. Picasso famously said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” We need to afford them that ability to stay an artist at heart. Even realizing that most kids will not embark on a career in the arts, my goal is to help them keep that spark of ingenuity that I witness every day, which will hopefully push them towards something in their life that matters to them.
My Project
With the addition of a Shimpo Aspire Throwing Wheel to our classroom, it would allow my students the ability to think and create with clay endlessly.
Offering a more tactile and sensory element to create with provides innumerable opportunities for self-expression, especially for children who have a hard time excelling in other subject areas.
In addition, throwing a clay pot offers a tangible life-long lesson of responsibility when kids take turns, share, work together, and clean up throughout the entire process collectively. Our goal in the classroom would be to use the wheel while the kids are broken up into small groups. With the addition of the wheel to our classroom, it would provide the opportunity of a different media at one of the six tables the students would rotate during class. This wheel is small enough to store and fits easily on the table, making it the perfect size to adapt and use with kindergarten to fifth grade students.
With the addition of a technique in art that offers a concrete 3D element, it would be able to reach those students that need a more physical experience because it involves making something with your whole body. Yet, founded in a common response, art is something that everyone can relate to in one way or another. Thus, making creativity and inventiveness a universal need for our well-being.
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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. Mills and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
