Ms. Cassels' Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 11

• Need Kneaded Erasers for Young Artists

  Funded Nov 1, 2024

  I wish you could have head the students, "wow", "cool", "no way" when I showed them the kneaded erasers. They love to stretch and knead to clean the erasers.

  At the moment we are using them for 5th graders to erase on their canvases as they sketch an animal or landscape to paint. The 4th graders are also using them as they draw their self portraits. The third graders used them as they drew an abstract, that was then used to learn watercolor techniques.

  I am impressed how the students are taking such care to place the erasers back into the cases so they do not dry out.

  These erasers will be used over and over for years, while other erasers wear away, these do not. We are so thankful for your generosity. These young artists need to express their creativity and learn creative problem solving skills.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Cassels

• Students Need to Sketch

  Funded Sep 21, 2024

  I wish you could have witnessed the excitement on the students' faces when I announced they would be creating their own sketchbooks! They crafted covers from construction paper and decorated them beautifully. Then, they counted out 20 sheets of the paper you generously donated, folded them in half, and stapled them together using the staplers you provided. I am thrilled to share that 500 students ,(3rd, 4 th and 5 th grades), have made these sketchbooks, and they've already begun sketching in them! Their first assignment was to draw a panda and shade it using three values. Learning to make their own sketchbooks will be a skill they can use over and over to advance their art and keep a record of what they have learned.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Cassels

• Paint Brushes for Young Artists Needed!

  Funded Aug 16, 2024

  I wanted to express our deep gratitude for the paint brushes you generously donated to our art program. The students have truly appreciated having high-quality brushes to work with, and it has made a noticeable difference in their artwork.

  Art plays a crucial role in developing creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression in our students. Through each project, they are not just learning how to paint—they are learning how to communicate ideas, emotions, and perspectives. These skills are invaluable, both in and out of the classroom.

  Beyond creating beautiful pieces, part of my art curriculum is teaching students how to care for and maintain their materials. Thanks to your donation, these brushes will be a valuable resource for our classes for many years to come.

  Thank you once again for your support and for making a lasting impact on our students' creative journeys.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Cassels

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and 7 other donors.

• Air Purifier for Classroom That Has 650 Elementary Students

  Funded Sep 24, 2021

  We have been using the air purifier in the art room all day. It has added protection, not only for Covid but for the flu and colds also. I have felt more comfortable and the students don't notice it, it is so quiet. I can't tell you how much we all appreciate it. We can concentrate more on creating art.

  Students have been working on creating clay winter sculptures. They have been making polar bears, Christmas trees, penguins, snowmen faces, gingerbread men and snowflakes. They have also been painting pictures that will be made into cards. Next we will be learning about art around the world, it will help students connect with their own culture and learn to appreciate other cultures from around the world.

  Art helps students with development of motor skills, language skills, social skills, decision-making, risk-taking, inventiveness, and problem-solving. Creativity is something that will benefit them in many aspects of life and contributes to every career.

  It means a lot that you appreciate these things and see the value in art education. You are making a difference in the children's school day, their lives and their careers.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Cassels

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 3 other donors.

• Watercolor Paper for Young Artists!

  Funded Mar 12, 2021

  The students have been doing such wonderful paintings on their good watercolor paper you provided. The students immediately noticed the difference in the paper and that how they could use more water. This allowed the students to be more creative. We did a lot of watercolor this year, so I took a lot of time to demonstrate different watercolor techniques. The students were excited to see the new materials. They painted self portraits, vases with flowers, landscapes and abstracts. The watercolor paper made such a difference in their creations.

  Thank you so much for helping my students experience this medium and have such great results!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Cassels

• Document Camera For Art Demonstrations

  Funded Feb 26, 2021

  The document camera has been wonderful! I have been able to demonstrate techniques in drawing painting and sculpture to the students. It has allowed every student to get a close up view no matter where they sit In the classroom. I can project onto my large screen in the classroom, so students in the front, middle and back can see my demonstrations as if I am doing it inches from each of them. With 25 students in the class that wasn't feasible before.

  The students love it and I have also been enjoying it. I am able to record as I demonstrate so I can use it in the future.

  Thank you so much.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Cassels

• An ART Kit for Student's that Need One!

  Funded Oct 8, 2020

  My students have been using their art kits to make beautiful and creative art. It is wonderful that people like you have supported our art program and have donated to this project. It is important for every student to have the supplies they need to be creative.

  We are currently learning watercolor techniques, one-point perspective, drawing portraits, mixing colors and much more. The students just finished making greeting cards that have been professionally printed. The fifth grade students entered a drug-free calendar contest and we had a state winner.

  These are different times and we cannot share our art supplies, as we normally do. Thank you for helping me to keep my students safe by giving them each their own art kits.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Cassels

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 5 other donors.

• Art: Virtually Developing Creativity For 850 Students

  Funded Nov 6, 2020

  The technology you have helped provide for my classroom has helped enhance my lessons. The students can see and hear me better and I can see and hear them better. It is important for me to hear their questions and comments.

  I am thankful that you appreciate the value of art in the elementary curriculum, and are willing to support it. Any subject can be taught through art. Recently we discussed living a drug-free life and the students entered a state Drug-Free Calendar Contest. We were so proud to have a state winner! I posted the winning art work in the photos.

  I want my students to enjoy and appreciate art, but I also believe it is important to help them develop creative thinking and creative problem solving skills. These skills are valuable in all aspects of life and career. Employers look for those skills, not just employers in art careers. Thank you for supporting our art program and helping me to make all this possible.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Cassels

• Art Supplies to Complete Art Kits

  Funded Sep 26, 2020

  My students have been working hard creating art with all the supplies you helped provide to them. It is wonderful for all the students to have a complete art kit of their own. It makes it easy for me too. We could not share art supplies in the classroom this year like we normally would. It was so kind of you to donate to help the students get the supplies they needed for art class.

  One of our latest projects has been been drawing and painting artwork to turn into cards. In the photos you can see the penguins and landscape paintings that the students created. They particularly like to paint so I make sure there is a lot of opportunity for that. The watercolors you helped purchase have been wonderful for that.

  We will continue to learn about shapes and colors, perspective, texture, symmetry and much more. The students have a lot of fun in art class, it is a relaxing atmosphere for them and the goal is for them to appreciate art and enjoy creating it. Thank you for supporting our art program. I hope you enjoy the photos and please know that my students and I appreciate your help so much!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Cassels