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Mr. Thomas' Classroom

  • Vernon L Barkstall Elementary School
  • Champaign, IL
  • More than a third of 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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Make a donation Mr. Thomas can use on his next classroom project.

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Past projects 10

  • Alternative Seating for Active Learners

    Funded Dec 10, 2022

    The flexible seating that was made available by your amazing donations has completely transformed my classroom! I have far fewer students who struggle to stay focused while they work on their art projects, because they can wiggle while they work. This frees me up to spend my time teaching art and not redirect bored students.

    Students who traditionally have not been interested in my class now enter the room with enthusiasm.

    I so appreciate your support of the diverse learners in my art classroom.”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Thomas

  • Graphic Novels That Engage Students in Their Down Time

    Funded May 6, 2019

    I want to take a moment to thank you for the impact your donation has made on my classroom. This grant has allowed me to update the comic books in my classroom library and offer more diverse titles to my students that reflect the rich cultural backgrounds of my students. Students have especially enjoyed the Ms. Marvel comic book and the autobiographical comic, El Deafo.

    The shelf has helped immensely to give students a an opportunity to browse titles and easily find something that interests them.

    Thank you again for all of your help!”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Thomas

    This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 20 other donors.
  • Literacy Is Important in the Art Room, Too!

    Funded Jun 15, 2018

    Students have been so excited to look at the new books in our room this year!

    One of the reasons for their excitement, is that they are more visible because of the front facing bookshelf. Younger students can easily see the cover of the book and quickly choose a book that looks interesting to them.

    The front facing bookshelf also has kept the books in better shape and time goes on, because students no longer have to rummage through a tub of books to find one that they want to read.

    Thank you so much for supporting literacy in the art room!”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Thomas

  • Super Ceramic Tsum Tsums

    Funded Nov 29, 2017

    The ceramic Tsum Tsum project truly captured the imagination of our students! Some made Pokemon characters and others made Star Wars figures with the clay. Many other created their own animals and monsters. Every child was able to create something they were proud of and excited about.

    Students also enjoyed the books provided by the grant and were able to browse the art described inside the books at the end of each class period.

    Thank you for the positive impact on our students in Central, Illinois!”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Thomas

  • Making An Impression With Printmaking

    Funded Aug 16, 2017

    Thanks to your donation, now all students had access to the materials they needed. This might have seen like a small grant because of the dollar amount that was requested, but it had a HUGE impact on my classroom! The purchase of brayers made printing much easier, because in the past the students had to wait for the few brayers we had to become available for use.

    Additionally, the Hokusai book had an unexpected impact on our learning environment. A student recently moved to our town from Japan. Her former home looked out upon Mt. Fuji and she was able to share a little about herself with her classmates through the book.

    Thanks again for supporting the arts!”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Thomas

    This classroom project was brought to life by Tom's of Maine and 3 other donors.
  • Colorful Ceramic Vegetable Garden Pots

    Funded Feb 13, 2017

    Thank you so much for making 3rd quarter such a success for our school! 264 students were able to make planters and left for spring break with a seed inside.

    The students were so excited to build a planter and plant their seeds. Many have come back and told me how their plants are progressing. Because of your help, this project has a continued life beyond what happened in my classroom.

    The pots were so beautiful thanks to the glaze purchased with the grant and students really enjoyed picking out the seeds.”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Thomas

  • Full Color Animal Pottery

    Funded Jan 19, 2016

    Thank you so much for contributing to our project. The students really enjoyed making their full color animal pots.

    I photographed most of the Animal Pots and submitted the best three to an art contest created by Adams Outdoor Advertising for the school district. One student was selected to have his piece displayed on local digital billboard for the next year. Six other photographs student work from this project will be on display this summer in the conference rooms of the school district's administration building.

    This truly was an art experience that has made great impact on student's lives.”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Thomas

  • Learn to Draw Almost Anything!

    Funded Jan 1, 2010

    Thank you so much for showing an interest in the enrichment of my art class. The students have really enjoyed the books and are eager to look through them and use them to get ideas when they are finished with their assignments.

    The Sponge Bob and Pokemon books are especially popular and a few students have told me that they look forward to coming to art class just to have a look at these books. I have also seen many students who were frustrated with drawing in the past pursuing it independently because of the skills taught by the books.”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Thomas

  • After School Independent Comic Book Creators

    Funded Dec 29, 2008

    Thank you so much for funding our comic club! The club has been meeting for several weeks now and I am all ready impressed with the work the students have made.

    Some came to the club bursting with ideas. Others came because their friends joined, but now have caught the comic bug and enjoying making their own stories.

    The supplies you helped purchase will help these students push their art to the next level and will help them make a book that they can be proud of”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Thomas

  • Learning About Insects With a Renaissance Artist

    Funded Oct 31, 2008

    Thank you so much for funding the Renaissance Print shop project!

    This project will be a great way to solidify what the students learn about in science class as well as learn about Albrecht Durer, a key figure in the Northern Renaissance. The students will enjoy making this project. It will give them a hands-on way to learn about art and science as well as seeing the connections between the two subjects”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Thomas

I teach K-5 art in a central Illinois public school founded on the principle: "Learning Through the Arts".

About my class

I teach K-5 art in a central Illinois public school founded on the principle: "Learning Through the Arts".

About my class

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