Ms. Condon's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 11

• Put Your Personal Stamp on Print Making

  Funded Dec 3, 2024

  Making art means so much more to my students when it is personal. Your generous donation allowed my students to see a reflection of themselves in their artwork, they were incredibly motivated to explore this medium further. They did not want to stop.

  Carving their own initials, in their own style into a block of rubber truly delighted my middle-schoolers. In particular they reveled in creating a permanent stamping/printing block they were able to keep and use.

  The tools I requested allowed my students to study and put into practice the concept of positive and negative space while working on fine motor skills. What an exciting time we had!

  Thank you!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Condon

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and one other donor.

• Exploring Art Around the World

  Funded Aug 14, 2024

  What a smash hit the Scholastic Magazines have been! When my students saw these, they literally applauded.

  They were incredibly excited to see works of art and artists we had studied in the past featured in "their" magazine issues. The magazines are bright, well organized and written in workable lengths that do not sacrifice superior language and exciting descriptions.

  We will be using multiple articles as a jumping off platform for various projects in the near future. Specifically, my students read about Takashi Murakami and his brightly colored, often, incredibly repetitive design style. They were excited to read about him and his process.

  This subscription, what a boon!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Condon

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and one other donor.

• Vacuum Saves the Day!

  Funded Feb 15, 2024

  Your generous donations have made ceramics clean-up a breeze! Literally.

  We are working at keeping our very old kilns in perfect working condition and getting to the very bottom of them has been quite the chore. It is exquisitely difficult to reach to the bottom corners but your generous donations have made a weekly chore much more easy to do.

  Not only is it easier to reach the bottom with the vacuum extension, we can get into the crevices with ease. Small ceramic matter is easily removed with the touch of a button and disposed of without issue.

  MANY thanks!

  Nichole Condon”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Condon

• Silent Seating for Super Artists

  Funded Feb 15, 2024

  I can't begin to tell you what an amazing difference the slotted tennis balls make on the feet of all of our studio stools! While they have made it easier for my students to slide in and out of their spots, by far the biggest and most noticeable benefit has been the noise reduction.

  Before installing the tennis balls, the feet of our stools "screeeeeeeched like banshees" across the concrete floor. It didn't mater if students moved a little or a lot, the noise was simply ear piercing. I didn't even have to ask students what they thought about the tennis balls......as soon as they came in they noticed the amazing difference immediately.

  MANY thanks!

  Nichole Condon”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Condon

• Sensational Seating for Artists

  Funded Sep 6, 2023

  WOW! What an amazing impact these new chairs made for my students! Our classroom/studio space is not especially large and many students (depending on the current project) much prefer to stand while working. The brand new stools that you helped to fund provided us with much more space (as we are able to completely push them under our tables) AND they are ridiculously comfortable - because of you, we were able to afford stools with a padded seat. My students and I are thrilled!

  They can easily sit or stand to work on their art, and all of us can move around the classroom much more easily.

  MANY thanks!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Condon

  This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares and one other donor.

• Planting & Printing: Science Based Art

  Funded Aug 2, 2023

  Thank you for your generous donation. You provided my students with the books and materials to create fabulous and fun works of art that combine science and visual art. My students were amazed with the factual information we read about carnivorous plants, and they laughed outright at the text and fantastical artwork in other trade books your gifts funded.

  They have immensely enjoyed working with the laminator to create lasting "masks" of plant material to print with. They oooohhhed and ahhhhed at the first leaves we put through our new machine. What fun! And we could not have done it without you.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Condon

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and one other donor.

• Seeing Myself on Canvas: Who Am I?

  Funded Jan 23, 2023

  My students were ridiculously excited to get their hands on these pencils and paint and ink! Their eyes grew wide when they saw the incredible array of skin tones available to them. Every single child took the time to carefully select a handful of materials that they felt would best match their own skin tones. They tested out the materials and then got straight to work creating their self portraits.

  We have actually already moved on from the formal portraits and students created multiple mini self portraits as if they had been in a photo booth at an amusement park. They went wild for this project!

  Many thanks for your generous donation.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Condon

  This classroom project was brought to life by San Diego Gas & Electric and one other donor.

• Creative Crafty Writers

  Funded Oct 26, 2022

  I can't begin to describe just how amazing the materials are that you funded! And that's because these materials represent not only the things that arrived in boxes BUT the incredible experiences my students had exploring this media.

  Paper, ink , and tools may not sound exciting but when my students got the chance to float ink on water in order to create end papers for their journals, it was magic. They had not created anything quite like this art form before and the delight shows on their faces.

  Next, my students will use these papers to design and fabricate their own journals. There is nothing so special as something designed by hand. Thank you for your generous donation.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Condon

  This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares and one other donor.

• Kaboom! Recycle With a Loom!

  Funded Aug 9, 2022

  My students and I are having a blast creating our own recycled textiles using the materials you so graciously funded. At first, students thought that there was no way that they could create the complex patterns they saw. But after a little practice, not only did they try complex weaving patterns on their loom....they began to develop their own. Weaving takes time and practice and it sharpens eye-hand coordination. Additionally, students have to tap into their mathematical know-how to create and maintain patterns in their woven projects. Many thanks for your generous funding!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Condon

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and one other donor.

• Creating Carp Kites Captures Fish and Imaginations

  Funded Nov 26, 2021

  Your generous donations have allowed 75 students the opportunity to combine science, math, a smidge of engineering, and art all rolled into one multi-week, multi-faceted project. We began by studying real-world fish and some of the problems they encounter. Specifically, we looked at the practice of using drag nets to catch fish. Students discovered that while this method does catch fish, it also snares unwanted species and it can destroy important ocean habitat.

  Armed with that knowledge, students set about designing new methods to catch only the desired fish without damaging vital habitats. Your generous gift allowed students the materials to create whatever nw designs their imaginations dreamed up. We were also able to continue to take a close-up look at fish and their scales. Students learned that the rings on a fish scale can help scientists determine their age (much like tree rings!)

  Students wrapped up their studies by carving and painting their own fish scale and creating fish prints. You will be able to see the beautiful pieces they created with paints and supplies your donations made available. Without your generosity, our students would have missed these great opportunities and experiences. Many thanks!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Condon

  This classroom project was brought to life by San Diego Gas & Electric and one other donor.