My students are talented and creative kids that have the passion to learn and give back to the community. There are many ways to help fight hunger but we like the "Empty Bowl" way. The "Empty Bowl Project" allows artists to create and donate bowls, then serve a simple meal to the hungry.
Many students at this school can't afford to buy lunch.
We are a Title 1 school that offers free lunch to students in need. So how can we expect them to pay for their art materials? We ask for a contribution of only $15 and we are having a hard time getting students and parents to help. Funding for the arts, an extensive visual arts program, is available at this school. The visual arts include ceramics, design, drawing and painting, photography, cinematography, and graphic design, Advance Placement Studio Art, Art History.
My Project
The students will use the potter's wheel. In a process called "throwing" which means to twist or turn a ball of clay is placed in the center of a turntable, called the wheel-head, which the potter rotates with a stick, with foot power or with a variable-speed electric motor. During the process of throwing, the wheel rotates while the solid ball of soft clay is pressed, squeezed and pulled gently upwards and outwards into a hollow shape. The students will form a bowl on the potters wheel that is the size of a soup bowl. They will then trim a foot on the bottom of the bowl to make it smooth. Finally they will fire and glaze the pot so it will be sealed and decorated. They will be just like bowls that you use at home. Kids learn to use both heart and hand with a community project like this.
During "The Empty Bowl Project," I will be teaching children that charity is not reserved only for emergencies.
I will be helping them appreciate that reaching out to others in need is a way of life, rather than a moment in time when a catastrophic disaster occurs. They also need to be shown that giving back doesn’t just mean donating money, and that generosity is not limited to giving away things you no longer want.
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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. Ceramics Club and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
