Past projects 9
Support Visual Imagination
Funded Sep 26, 2023Our new materials have made a tremendous impact on our classroom. It has been very rewarding to allow my students to help themselves to our 'arts shelves'. I have observed children feeling empowered by the ample things your donation provided for. The artistic expressions thereafter have been vibrant and rich.
With tracing paper, the ability to transfer images has become a task they all can achieve at various aptitudes. The excitement in 'owning' the task is self-evident, and truly a joy to witness.
In next steps, the selection of black markers which have various size propel the works forward into designer's choices and proper presentation.
Last, it is stupendous when they've shown calligraphy skills in adding writing to their art.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Vernola
Creative & Mental Growth
Funded Sep 29, 2022My students were able to use art and come up with independent themes. They were overjoyed at the opportunity to build 'visual intelligence', mastering over time a learning target that they can exercise 'sketch' and 'drafting' techniques, develop sketchbook themes, and creative concentration.
They used the supplies donated for figure drawing, biomorphic, curvilinear hand-forms, free-choice compositions, and were able to sustain investment into surface coverage with rhythm in these projects... all because of your donation.
From activity that ranged between utilizing pen and ink lines to elevate understandings of wet on wet paint techniques, to repetition of a motif/balance in composition with applications of new arts materials, my children were able to expand their capabilities to be more creative individual thinkers.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Vernola
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 3 other donors.INKing Our Thinking
Funded Sep 29, 2022Because of your kindness, my children in grade 8 we were able to use a 'love' theme as the learning objective and write a message of care for fellow members of our school.
As a social emotional learning component, school-wide, with respect for all, we applied calligraphy and paint practices in art.
When they recognized the highest quality materials they could have were gelled-pens and artist-grade watercolors, they sustained visual investigation into surface with genuine investment.
Our next steps are going to be using personal sketchbooks to incorporate visual journalling.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Vernola
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 2 other donors.A Pencil, Pen, and Paper will Brighten Their World.
Funded Jun 1, 2020In the unprecedented moment of extreme concern for students safety, because of your donation to my project, I was able to prepackage high quality arts materials and deliver for use in learning.
Being able to unpack brand new supplies and know they were untouched and theirs alone made lessons fun to learn while assuring they would not be at risk.
It was comforting to see how reassured they were to a normalized school experience when I delivered your materials to them.
Now again fully remote, your donation continues to perpetuate efficacy in school because I can mail them art packages home safe.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Vernola
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 15 other donors.Raw Talent Needs Raw Materials!
Funded Mar 9, 2016My students were able to learn the craft of sewing in order to design fabrics for T~shirts. They had a great time drawing out the images they wanted with pencils and markers. By making letterforms and thinking about personal slogans, I was able to reinforce skills built with literacy. We studied together about world culture and the arts of Asian clothing.
It was a delight to provide them with ample felt and thread for needlepoint work. What surprised me most was the ownership they displayed in coming up with symbols of their national pride in final plans. From Nigerian students, to Dominican, and even first generation Yemen, it was empowering to observe them read about, study, and emulate colors and flag symbols.
Those students with special needs and varying learning styles were able to participate by sculpting in 'model magic' letters that define themselves. They marveled at transformations they individually brought about in working with the material and overall I was more than able to give positive reinforcement for it.
Our next steps took place at the school term's end with a fashion show curated by the students who produced the T~shirts choosing which other kids got to wear them as a showcase. Thanks to the contributions to my classroom supplies, these works of art were truly cherished by all... and my kids can't stop asking when we'll do it again!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Vernola
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 16 other donors."The ART of LITERACY" ~now THAT's a Pretty Picture!
Funded Nov 10, 2014My kids were extremely enthusiastic receiving letter templates and materials for creative, visual writing projects. Our art classes generated a lot of responses from students working this way, both promoting literacy and encouraging ownership. They relished generating name banners and even came up with a family tree activity so as to be able to write out loved one's names as well!
We examined how calligraphy can function and that decorative letterforms display many messages about one idea. Outstanding works of art reflected each kid's personality standing out in bold colors and richly decorated. Special needs learners were even able to mold letters and shape them in clay, enhancing cognition of writing and reading.
It was a remarkable way to identify with a comprehensive art history unit thereafter, and mid year we investigated lines, motifs, and artwork of 1980s artist Keith Haring. My teaching was enhanced by being able to consistently encourage months of planning and preparation, culminating in a shared design representing students as scholars promoting literacy through the arts.
Which brought us to the mural, "SCHOOL IS COOL".
The vision of this public work incorporated administrative faculty, school staff and gained momentum as a result to include parents as partners in the endeavor and so has been designed by students, made with parents, and facilitated by custodial and administrative representatives. None of it however would have occurred had it not been for the funding and on behalf of our learners I acknowledge your kind gifts to us in great satisfaction.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Vernola
VESSELS OF MEMORY: Help my kids Weave their way through ART
Funded Mar 26, 2014Making artwork in the medium of basketry was a profound experience for both the learners in my art room and myself as professional arts educator. My students reacted with anticipation when the materials for basket weaving were prepared for them in the art room. They responded with keen interest at ways of manufacturing something so different than what they've ever seen before. Curiosity manifested itself in accountable talk. Mentioning 'reed' and how that relates to plants we have studied and drawn throughout other units during the year. Reacting to the smell of the reeds and wooden bases as they soaked in real time gave a sensory exposure to learning one rarely affords in a school day.
There were techniques to read up on and practice in setting up the armature around which to weave. This opportunity created leaders of the few who's hands could move more deftly toward this initial step. then there was the mantra of weaving itself; a truly magical experience as each student could see the basket form before themselves. There was a lot of smiling and accountable talk back and forth comparing and contrasting baskets.
Having these materials as a resource in my art room enabled me to focus directly on my teaching craft and quality in actual instruction. i had the time during class to speak with the students as artists in how they felt regarding the activity. every single learner produced a basket uniquely similar to them.
This was thrilling as an educator and changed the way I consider what I can do in the space of my arts learning environment.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Vernola
This classroom project was brought to life by 100 Women in Hedge Funds and 14 other donors.Let's Talk Clay: Goal Oriented Play!
Funded Oct 3, 2013My kids were delighted to have art activities involving clay. Responses from, "Yay, we're doing clay!", to the natural reaction of, "It's cold and clammy!". Most of them had not worked with clay in a learning environment before. Students shared they had never experienced the effects of artwork in that material even at home and were truly thankful. Several of them repeatedly said, "Thank you." at our session's end.
As we learned about the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia and then Egypt, artwork made two dimensionally was transformed through the use of clay to sculpture. From 'ancient tablet carvings' to an oasis, it was a terrific component to their learning.
By reinforcing the knowledge imparted to them in a class lesson by using clay to translate the ideas my teaching is enhanced. My kids become original thinkers in regards to the content and own the ideas while manipulating the clay.
I cannot thank you enough for the generosity.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Vernola
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 8 other donors.Help! We Need Arts Supplies!
Funded May 6, 2013The students who entered my room following the May eight arrival of your generous donation encountered materials they had never utilized in my classroom before. As much glue and glitter as they could want, paper galore, and scissors for each of them. Several times the students thanked me for the stuff. I was amazed at how well they respected the art room and their new materials interacting courteously with one another.
As Eighth grade students this had an immense impact on the learning. We set about designing a unit of study involving elements and principles of stage craft. The theme: graduation ceremony. Your donated materials enhanced not only the in-class learning of my kids but our school community through the year's culminating event within our auditorium. As well, the memory of a significant event in young lives became forever bound with art's power to augment, enrich, and enliven an individual made me a very proud educator.
I leave on the subject of education... letting you know as donators to my project you have indeed been teachers yourselves; showing me a way of helping my students receive the things they so rightly deserve.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Vernola