Past projects 23
Prints Charming
Funded Apr 4, 2025Thank you so much for your generous donation! We are thrilled and grateful for your support. Because of you, our art classes can explore the magic of Gelli printing—layering, textures, color, and endless creativity await! Your kindness brings joy, color, and inspiration to our young artists. Thank you again!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Conner
A Rainbow a Day Helps Keep the Neutrals at Bay
Funded Sep 6, 2024Thank you so much for your incredible generosity and support of my art classroom! It is deeply moving to know that people I've never met believe in the importance of art education and are willing to invest in the creativity and joy of my students.
Art has the power to bring light, wonder, and expression into children's lives, and having access to a variety of supplies—especially those that bring color—opens endless possibilities for their imaginations. Color is more than just something we see; it's something we feel. It creates energy, emotion, and connection. For my students, it means freedom to explore, create, and tell their stories in their own unique ways.
Your gift makes a lasting impact. These supplies will not only brighten their work but also enrich their lives. Thank you for giving my students the tools they need to see the beauty in their own creations and believe in themselves.
With profound thanks,”
With gratitude,
Ms. Conner
Magic Isn't Just For Erasers
Funded Jul 28, 2023I am incredibly grateful for your heartfelt donation. Your generosity has fostered a truly inspiring atmosphere within the art classroom. Currently, the school walls are adorned with the delightful paintings by our students - vibrant watercolor scarecrows, each a testament to their budding creativity. Alongside these masterpieces, our students are actively engaged in lively discussions, unraveling the captivating life cycle of a pumpkin.
Before delving into their artistic endeavors, I took the time to have an insightful conversation with students about the best practices when handling paint. To ensure a smooth and organized painting process, I have provided them with an easily accessible anchor chart outlining the specific steps for preparing the space. The paints themselves are a spectrum of richness and vibrancy, igniting a spark of joy and enthusiasm in every stroke. If you were to visit, our students would take pride in guiding you through the setup and cleanup, showcasing their newfound sense of responsibility and capability. They know where these charts are!
In consideration of those who may hesitate, the anchor charts are strategically placed throughout the room, encouraging students to take the lead and determine their own "what's next". By having the flexibility of a moving trash can, learners have developed a sense of ownership, actively contributing to maintaining the cleanliness of our shared learning space. Moreover, each grade level has been assigned specific tasks, enabling them to actively participate and familiarize themselves with the art room's layout. The inclusion of a ladder has proven crucial in creating a nurturing and serene environment, further enhancing the students' creative experience.
As I continue to foster relationships with our learners, they are simultaneously learning the importance of caring for their surroundings and materials, cultivating a sense of communal respect and appreciation. Your support has made all of this possible, and we are truly grateful for the positive impact you have had on our learning journey.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Conner
Drawing Characters of My Own Story
Funded Apr 28, 2023Thank you for the library of drawing books. Not only do learners enjoy the books but having them allows students to have voice and choice. They decide what to draw and how complicated it should be. Students also follow directions, step by step. All ages have access to these books.
Students learn how to take care of the books, turn the pages, and take care of the spine. Students learn how to put up the books and consider their sorting by category. Books seem like such a small thing however, the books give choices and allow for practice with fine motor skills.
I am always fascinated by how learners use books and the choices they make. It is so exciting to bring a drawing to life. Another consequence of having this library is students take risks by themselves that they are scared to take with me. If I said, "Okay, draw this person.". Students might feel hesitant however when they are choosing on their own to be brave. They are.
Very exciting stuff here in my classroom. Why? Because you shared with us and we are grateful.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Conner
This classroom project was brought to life by The Montgomery Family Fund and 4 other donors.Growl and Meow: Art and Literature Come Together
Funded Nov 30, 2022Thank you for all the supplies so that I could inspire students with materials and inspire their art-making. As a grade level second grade sat around a circle on the floor with me. We read Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes with me reading some of the parts and students chiming in on the "Poor Kitten" parts. The story is about a kitten who is outside at night and sees a full moon for the first time. The learners talked about a full moon, why they think the moon changes, and all the faces of full moons. In the story, the kitten climbs to the top of the tree to get to what she thinks is the bowl of milk in the sky. Suddenly she is stuck and this moment is the moment that students attempted to replicate. They used materials that were textural and very messy. They created mockups prior to Draw the kitten day and had one class to finish the whole piece. We talked about being an author and illustrator and the power of the visual. The images were all around campus during Read Across America. I ended up taking six to the Youth Art Month Celebration and parents were able to come to visit the images. Students had to come up with titles and one student's was "Lucy In The Sky With Fireflies". They were all just darling. Thank you for inspiring this experience.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Conner
This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 8 other donors.Flipping into Animation
Funded Sep 20, 2022Thank you so much for your generosity. The learners are enthralled with the reality of being an author of an animated book. The connections to literature are happening seamlessly. The peer feedback is prompt and helpful as learners skillfully apply what they have learned to their cherished books. Books are an integral part of our school culture as languages are much easier to transverse when a learner is reading. My students are delving into English sometimes as first-generation bilingual learners. We as an art classroom discussed the power of the visual first and how each person chooses a book based on the cover. This is not always true however, students said it feels true. Next learners looked at a variety of animated flipbooks and either copied a simple story or made their own. Keeping to between 14 to 28 pages (this amount was agreed to be the least that a person could have and still flip the pages effectively). Next, they have started the large flipbooks and are carrying them around the school. So much is the love of these that a student will call me over to flip for me at any given time in the hall. We have discussed jobs a person could have animating, craftsmanship, and a variety of critique skills. I am so grateful for your donation.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Conner
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 5 other donors.Wiggly, Shiny, Downy,Tiny
Funded Aug 18, 2022Thank you again for all the resources you donated. One of the donations was for artist trading cards. I have fourth and fifth graders who will be making trading cards over the next several weeks. The themes they can choose are art around any holiday, winter theme, or snowflake.
Why a snowflake? Students first learn the science of a snowflake and how to draw a snowflake. This adds buy-in to the experience because by the time students start to illustrate they are fired up about snowflakes. Last year in our city, which usually does not get snow many students lost power for up to a week. I decided those tiny flakes of white will make sense to students if it happens again. After we have become master illustrators students can choose to make a tiny piece of art on the artist's trading cards and we trade with one another.
Last, students will learn about ceramics and clay. Last, students will be making snowflakes out of clay and adding textures and patterns. Because of your donation, I could buy all the supplies to cover the cost of this experience. In a season of giving, I am sending you all my gratitude for the ability to cover the cost of exploration concerning this wonderful planet of ours.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Conner
Portrait Of An Artist
Funded Apr 7, 2022The impact of your donation is layered. First there are the supplies that you donated. These supplies were used for a project where students created a multitude of art. They studied two artists, Kehinde Wiley and Friday Kahlo, and did a deep dive into their processes and biographies. Students read articles, looked at books, participated in countless discussions and even had district people in the class to ask, "what do you know" about the artists.
I was able to give more choices of materials for the project because of your generous donations. Students decided what to use rather than the teacher telling them. Students practiced with the materials and decided what they thought worked best.
Students created thumbnail sketches and researched the history of portraits. I really wanted each learner to consider they why of portraiture. Why do we look at portraits of strangers and what can they tell us?
I set up stations and students were able to move around depending on where they were in the process. I had just in time workshops with myself and also with students who became proportion masters.
Administrators came in the classroom to look at the work and shared photos with students of a portrait of themselves. Students portraits lined the walls of the schools and conversations were inspired.
The experience was transformative and I am so grateful to you.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Conner
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose community & an Anonymous Partner and 8 other donors.My Mini Masterpiece
Funded Dec 1, 2021Students have been focusing on the planning of their projects. They used the sharpies to outline the portraits in proportion and the surrounding backgrounds/negative space in the style of Frida Kahlo and Kehinde Wiley.
On Tuesday of this week, students went to the museum. Our classes were the first learners to the museum since the beginning of the pandemic. There was joy in the old, hot yellow bus as it crossed over the overpass to the "other side" of town. This trip was filled with words like docents, murals, contemporary, and an artist maker space with a local artisan who shared culture with a large percentage of the learners. Now we are making artist trading card thank you cards with sparkly sleeves to slip them in. Thanks to you.
The books are part of a station to help learners gain confidence in their drawing skills. Students carefully choose which book to spend the time with as they flip through the pages using crabby pinchers to carefully turn the new pages of the books. Thank you from the bottom of our water cups.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Conner
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 3 other donors.Variety Is The Spice Of Life
Funded Mar 22, 2021Students are currently on the second month in the art room. Last year's fifth-graders have gone on to middle school. Students who have been in my class since they were in kinder are able to mostly remember the art room expectations, where the supplies live, and how to use them. We can move much quicker through the day-to-day specifics and continue to renew our love of making.
We started by making small artist trading cards. These cards are 2 1/2 by 3/12 inches. Students started by reviewing the element of art line and shapes, followed by color. They made miniature pieces of art and then traded with one another. They were signed and titled. These young artists made the cards in the style of Yayoi Kusama. The images were everything from a bowl of noodles to an underwater scene. The fourth and fifth graders are now comparing and contrasting Frida Kahlo and Kehinde Wiley. Students are fascinated by all the color markers and with the markers able to create bold straight lines using the wider tip and more painterly strokes using the brush pens.
The fourth and fifth-grade students are moving to different tables(stations) and focusing on proportion, textures and learning about the artists. Soon they will attempt to reproduce a realistic face. Using these markers help students to take risks just so they can see what the color will look like on their paper. I am so grateful for your support and so excited to be face to face with students again.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Conner
This classroom project was brought to life by T-Mobile and 2 other donors.