My students need good quality watercolor supplies, like brushes and paints, so they feel like "real" artists when they create high quality projects for our school-wide art exhibit.
Do you remember fear coming over you when faced with having to draw in school? We want all of our students to leave elementary school feeling like artists. We do this by making art fun and successful for everyone and putting on a school-wide art exhibit at the end of the year.
The diversity at our school is a gift.
Our students come from many cultures but all with an excitement to learn. We are a Title 1 school meaning that we are located in a low-income area. This doesn't stop our kids from being successful. They are hard-workers and excited to come to our school. We welcome the uniqueness of all students here. We strive to expose Burnett Bulldogs to experiences that may be difficult for them financially. Recently, we raised funds so that Burnett students were able to visit the De Young Museum in San Francisco to see the Post-Impressionist exhibit there. The picture shown for my project page is some of them at the De Young. To see the excitement on their faces was well worth the effort it took to get there. This year will be the 3rd year we have put on an art exhibit of our own. We get a huge turn-out of families and community members. Every student at our school has art on display which meets our goal of making them all feel like artists.
My Project
I am asking for some "real" watercolor paper, brushes and watercolor sets for use on the many projects leading up to our art exhibit. I travel to all our classrooms during the year and give art lessons. The paper supplies I can order from our "stores" are very limited. When I use the best paper available at the school, the paper curls and in some cases falls apart. When we want to create a better quality piece of art, I have to raise funds to buy it. It becomes a burden on our low-income families to ask for money. Sometimes I am forced to pay for supplies myself. When we do use better materials the students artwork looks amazing and they are so proud of what they have painted they can't wait to show it off. Many parents frame this kind of art and hang it on their walls at home. What better way to build their children's art confidence!
In the economic times we find ourselves, art is usually one of the first things to go.
There are many students who may not be academically gifted but can express themselves in awe-inspiring ways through art. I have seen it many times at my school. Also, English language learners who struggle to communicate can do so through their drawings and paintings. My best times come when little kids run across the playground to ask me when I'm coming back to their rooms for art. Art is essential.
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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 Mrs. Carmichael and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.