Do you remember what it was like to bring home works of art for your parents and the joy they felt (and you felt) when they saw what you created? I'd like to give my students this feeling of joy and being alive through the medium of art.
My transitional kindergarten students are the youngest students at our school.
They are the children who were born after September 1, 2006 and before December 1, 2006. Our school is located in a low income, high poverty area that is predominantly Spanish speaking. Most of my class does not speak English, but the students are so willing to learn.
Gang violence has been on the rise in the last year and it has hit too close to home. In February 2011 some of our students witnessed a shooting just across the street from the playground and just in the short 5 months of 2012 there have been near 10 murders occurring within blocks of our school. On top of that there is major health issues with the oil refineries nearby. Even amidst the poverty, health concerns and lack of safety in our area, my transitional kinder students are so excited to be discovering new things and learning new ideas. They are seeing that learning can be fun!
My Project
A muralist recently donated her time and effort to beautifying a couple of outside classroom walls in our school. Having a real artist come and work in our school inspired my class. They asked her a lot of questions and she encouraged them by asking them what they would like to see on the wall. She actually added a couple of the animals they suggested. It was such a wonderful experience for them and I'd like to give them the opportunity to create works of art in a dedicated location in our classroom. With this project I'll be able to set up an art center with a variety of art materials and a place to dry their work. It will give us the ability to create works related to our curriculum as well as offer them the chance to freely express themselves through art.
Walt Disney once said, "When I was a kid, a book I read advised young artist to be themselves.
That decided it for me. I was a corny kind of guy, so I went in for corn." I love that this quote explains how being true to himself helped him create an amazing world for so many others to experience. I want my students to experience this same joy from creation whether it be corny or expressive. It's important to me that my students have a variety of outlets for what they are learning and feeling.
Nearly all 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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