Past projects 10
Great Contrast
Funded Aug 18, 2021Thank you so much for providing us with black paper and brightly colored chalk markers. We used the chalk markers on the black paper to write about ourselves and draw lines and patterns.
The students were so excited to see how the markers glide over the black paper leaving vibrantly colored lines. They were entranced experimenting with the markers for the first time. Students had never used these materials before so they were very happy to work with fancy new markers.
We will continue to use the chalk markers in the art room. We are going to paint landscapes and birds with liquid tempera paint. When the paint is dry, we will add patterns and lines with the chalk markers. The students love having high-quality art materials to make unique art with!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Amlashi
This classroom project was brought to life by Osmo and one other donor.Awesome Art Tools
Funded Feb 24, 2020Thank you so much for filling this order! We make a ton of art at my school; we use paper and oil pastels most of the time. Black oil pastels make it easy for children to draw big and bold. Colored construction paper makes it easy for children to create vibrant backgrounds. We have used these art tools to create masterpieces!
The students were so relieved to see long oil pastels. We had used ours up until they were tiny nubs. At the start of an art lesson, when the students get their slice of construction paper, they are always impressed with the size. They say, "WOW! This paper is HUGE!"
Unfortunately, with the Covid-19 pandemic, we will not be able to share materials if we get back in the school. With remote learning, we have not been able to use the oil pastels or the construction paper. We are using supplies we have in our homes such as crayons and cardboard from food boxes. When the pandemic crisis is resolved, we will get back to making beautiful art with many supplies! Thank you for your support.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Amlashi
This classroom project was brought to life by Anonymous Arts Supporter and 3 other donors.Art Pastels
Funded Dec 3, 2019We have used the chalk pastels in five classes so far. The whole third grade painted bald eagles. When the paint was dry, students were able to experiment with the chalk pastels. I showed them three different techniques: just draw and color, smudge, or use liquid starch with fingers, towels, paper, or brushes. One second grade class also experimented with the chalk pastels on the Clementine Hunter inspired flowers painted for the thank you cards.
The students were all very impressed with the chalk pastels; there are seventy-two colors! They gasped when I opened the box on the demo screen. While they were working with these new materials, they were very focused and thoughtful. They carefully removed individual pieces of pastel to work with and when finished, carefully replaced the pastel in the same slot.
We just completed a school wide fundraiser in art class: the students design a square and then they can buy items with their art on it. We used markers for this project. We will be working with clay for the next few weeks. Each student will take home one small kiln fired ceramic piece in the spring. The chalk pastels will be used soon. I have some interesting projects lined up. One project will be drawing with black glue, when the glue is dry, we will color with the chalk pastels! The colors are so vibrant and easy to blend they are truly beautiful. Thank you so much for your generous donation.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Amlashi
This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous classroom supporter and one other donor.Juicy Sharpie Markers
Funded Sep 4, 2019We have been using the Sharpies you donated almost everyday. Students love drawing with the Sharpies in their sketchbooks or to follow along with a directed drawing video on YouTube. We have been able to create three different displays using Sharpie line work: a connceted line, Columbus Ships, and a Rise Up board with inspirational quotes.
The kids love finding brand new Sharpies in the pencil boxes. I hear them say "Oooh! This one is new!" They remind each other to be gentle with the tips and not to color with the Sharpies. Students always ask why the Sharpies have green or yellow or silver. I explain that I spray paint all of them so I know they are mine.
We will continue using the Sharpie markers to make art for the rest of the school year. The water-proof bold lines are unmatched by any other marker. Thank you so much for your generous donation. The kids love working with nice materials!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Amlashi
This classroom project was brought to life by The Clorox Company and one other donor.Drawing Freedom!
Funded Jun 7, 2019We love the new whiteboards and dry erase markers. We have been using them to practice guided drawings at the rug before going back to our seats and working with crayon on paper. I attached a colorful pompom to the cap of each marker to serve as the eraser and the kids love the character the pompom adds.
The kids love whiteboards and dry erase markers. They were super excited to learn that they would have a chance to use their own whiteboard! There were squeals of delight and little hops and skips of enthusiasm. Kindergarten students were asking if the markers and boards were magic.
We will continue to use these markers and whiteboards for the rest of the year during guided drawing lessons before starting with paper. Practicing on a whiteboard helps students build confidence before working on the final art piece. Thank you so much for these wonderful tools. We love them!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Amlashi
Art Is Awesome!
Funded Oct 9, 2018Thank you so much for the pencils, sharpie markers, construction paper crayons, 18x24 tagboard, and metallic colored pencils! (The chalk pastels were out of stock, so I ordered metallic colored pencils instead.) We use pencils, sharpies, and crayons all the time to draw in our sketchbooks and to start works of art. Messy mats are used at least once a day to paint paper with liquid tempera paint and then carry the paper to the drying rack to minimize mess. I included pictures of our heavily used messy mats and crayon and pencil boxes. I also attached a photo of kindergarten crayons and mittens that were created using these materials!
Students screamed with excitement when I explained that metallic colored pencils include colors like silver and gold! First, second, and third-grade students used these pencils in winter tree art and value cat lessons; the kids loved the effects of the pencils. I included pictures of these three projects.
All of this beautiful art is going to be displayed around the school using netting and bulletin board strips that were also donated through Donors Choose! I am able to cover the whole hallway, both sides, from the office to the art room with student artwork thanks to donations from people like you! Kid's art is so special; I am honored to create with young people every day. Thank you so much for supporting our joy!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Amlashi
Speedy Secure Art Display System
Funded Aug 7, 2018We love the speedy secure display system; we have used it twice so far this year! There was student artwork on display for our Open House in September and for our Scary Story Night in October. I was able to quickly hang artwork from three hundred twenty-five students and not a single piece fell on the floor!
The custodian and I mounted the bulletin board strips in early September. I finally mounted hooks, measured, cut, and hung up the deer mesh in October. Students did not seem to notice these systems until there was artwork hanging from all of them. Having art on both sides of the hallway makes it feel like a true art gallery. The students loved the art hanging on the windows. Their eyes would get big, they would say "WOAH!!" and walk very slowly looking at all the awesome work. Parents and staff also loved the student decorated hallway.
Our next art show will be for our annual Family Breakfast. I will hang artwork from another one hundred twenty-five students. The bulletin board strips make it so fast to switch out work. The deer mesh hanging over the windows covered with art is impossible to ignore and allows me to display even more artwork. Thank you so much for your generous contribution; you are bringing smiles to many students, parents, and staff members!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Amlashi
ART is Awesome!
Funded Mar 16, 2018We have been using the oil pastels and paint brushes you donated! Oil pastels are an art room favorite; we have used them in several art projects since they have been donated. Oil pastels resist water color paint so we have used the brushes just as often. Kids are always amazed when they paint over their drawings and the lines are still there! It has been so nice to have quality art materials in the art room.
These oil pastels are much stronger and brighter and have lasted much longer than the pastels I ordered. The kids were super excited to see big fresh oil pastels on top of the little, dirty broken ones. They said "Aw wow!! Are we allowed to use these?!!"
I will be placing my order for the 2018-2019 school year. I will order the Faber Castell oil pastels that you donated instead of the CRAY-PAS that have always been in my studio. The oil pastels you donated were bigger and brighter and stood up to the heavy job of elementary art creation. The brushes by Royal are fantastic! The bristles stay in the brush. They should last at least two more years. Thank you so much!!! The kids love the supplies!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Amlashi
Everyone is a Special kind of Artist.
Funded Aug 25, 2016The materials that were funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are being used in our art classroom daily. We received two gallons of paint, a class set of brushes, a class set of scissors, a class set of glue bottles, three gallons of Glue-All, and a class set of plastic erasers.
We used liquid tempera paint to make gradient skies and stars in third and fourth grade; which received many "oohs" and "ahhhs." This was the first time we were able to mix paint in art! New brushes allowed all students have the same positive painting experience. The new scissors have been a big hit with students! The handles are bright and clean, making students want to hold them. We used the glue bottles to draw pumpkins and to create glue lines with yarn. The gallons of Glue-All have been used in many projects. One gallon is already gone. The plastic erasers are only used in fourth, third, and second grade because they are the most responsible students in the school. The students yell "THIS IS THE BEST ERASER I HAVE EVER USED!" in these classes.
Art is made entirely with consumable materials. The public school budget does not go far and neither do my paychecks! The kids are excited to use clean and effective materials like paint, brushes, scissors, glue, and fine art erasers. Art is way more fun thanks to your generous donations!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Amlashi
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and one other donor.Creativity is Contagious! -Albert Einstein
Funded Sep 9, 2015The supplies that we received in our art room are fantastic! Sharpies and giant paper have been used in more than one project! The kids love juicy sharpie markers and get so excited to see paper that is bigger than they are.
Third grade students work on a research project in their classrooms. When they come to art class, they have an opportunity to create a life sized portrait of the person they have been studying. Rolling out the life sized sheets of paper got many "Ooohs" and "Ahhs!" Students worked hard to make their portraits look realistic. After planning in pencil, the sharpie markers were used to make their drawings bold and permanent. We colored with crayons, added texture with yarn and buttons, and wrote important information around the portrait. Students beamed with delight at their finished portraits. We will have a show in February to showcase their hard work.
Sharpie markers are used in projects in kindergarten through fourth grade; we love them. They make our drawings bold and permanent before we add color. They dry up fast, so having a large supply has made art a happier place this year; everyone gets a juicy marker!
The black rolls are used to display artwork for family events. Placing art on a black background really makes it pop! When its time to take the work down, it is easy to slice up the large black sheets and give each student their artwork back with a black frame.
The generosity of your donation is greatly appreciated. It makes a big difference in our art room. We would have never been able to get those supplies without your help. You are unbelievably kind!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Amlashi