Past projects 2
Bookmobile Bliss: Reading Adventure on Wheels
Funded Sep 7, 2024I'm excited to share how your generous donation of the mobile book storage cart is already having a profound impact on our art room. Since I introduced the cart to our students, it has quickly become an essential part of our daily routine. The moment they first saw the cart, their reactions were priceless! There was a chorus of excitement as they discovered the wide variety of art books available to them. Some students immediately pulled out books on famous artists, while others dove into hands-on drawing guides, eager to try out new techniques. The cart has made it so much easier for students to access the resources they need, and it's become a cornerstone of our classroom, where learning and creativity go hand-in-hand.
One of the most exciting changes we've seen is how the cart has fostered a deeper sense of curiosity and independent learning. Students who might not have otherwise had the chance to explore books on their own are now more inspired to seek out new ideas and techniques, which they can integrate into their own art projects. The ability to rotate different themes—such as famous artists, creative processes, and art history—has expanded their perspectives and nurtured a greater appreciation for the world of visual art.
Thank you again for helping to make this possible. Your contribution has truly enhanced our art room, and it's exciting to see how it's fostering creativity and self-expression in each of our students. The mobile cart has already become an essential part of our classroom, and it continues to inspire creativity and self-directed learning in our students every day. Your generosity is helping to cultivate the next generation of artists and thinkers!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Julie
Cozy Corner for Creativity
Funded Sep 4, 2023Students are loving the new cozy corner space in the art room. It is a quiet, safe, positive out of the way area of the room now equipped with soft furnishings such as a bean bag chair and soothing materials to help students de-escalate when upset. When I first introduced it every student in every class wanted to go in because it is so inviting!
Now students understand they go one in at a time when they need a few minutes alone to self-soothe using pre-taught strategies to regulate their emotions so that learning can occur. Inside, they love curling up in the beanbag chair, now fondly called the cozy avocado because of its color and shape.
In the cozy corner there are helpful activities to engage with that teach them how identity and manage their feelings before they escalate. Visiting becomes a supportive strategy to head off meltdowns and feelings of overwhelm. On the wall in the cozy corner there is mood chart with a menu of activities and items students may use to calm down such as Kimochi stuffed animals, books about feelings, breathing board exercises, fidgets and other sensory toys. The five minute sand timer in the cozy corner lets my students know how long they are allowed to stay in the area.
Thank you again for your contribution to our cozy corner, it has positively impacted my classes resulting in less negative behaviors and distractions, and more successful and joyful art making.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Julie