What is on your refrigerator door? Just think-- some of the art projects my students make with these supplies may be posted on the refrigerator, preserved as a childhood keepsake or simply put a smile on the face of a proud, but weary parent, when the child brings home his/her creation.
Aloha from Hawaii.
My preschool special education class provides early intervention services to qualifying special needs children. My class size ranges between six to eight students, ages three to four years. My school is located in a predominantly rural, low-income neighborhood with a considerable portion of the children of Hawaiian and/or Pacific Island ancestry.
My Project
We make things all year round, and as we were finishing off our December creations, I realize that my supplies, most of which I purchased with my own money over the years, are running low. Unbelievably the seemingly bottomless bead bin is nearly depleted after 16 years of teaching, as are the buttons and feathers. In addition, the construction and colored paper selection is getting limited. (It's important for children to be exposed to shades of color, and having the variety makes the art projects more individualized.) We tie dye several times a year and need supplies, including dye and rubber bands for those projects. Shhh! don't tell--the bags will be tie dyed for Mother's Day presents. Having these materials, along with the other art supplies I'm requesting, available for my students means offering them a way to express themselves creatively, which is so important for children with limited language proficiency.
For young learners, especially those with language, fine motor and spacial challenges like my students, being able to make something to be proud of is both joyful and powerful.
I've seen that sense of accomplishment when my students beam "I made this." And I love when my keiki can't wait to give their creations to their parents at the end of the day. We need your help replenishing our supplies.
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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. Takahama and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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