Past projects 13
Envisage... Bringing Art To Us!
Funded Dec 29, 2015WOW! To all of you, I say WOW! "Wow" has been the word most uttered when students have come into my new "art room" and looked at the easels set up with paper canvas, the paints and brushes neatly arranged and ready for them to use on the desks, and the cute blue aprons slung over the backs of chairs. Thank you for providing your kind donations that have allowed me to purchase these items which have evoked sheer joy and genuine happy surprise!
As I mentioned in the initial project description, art is a subject that simply doesn't exist in most public schools anymore, and certainly does not exist in mine. When it is presented here at our school, in a class room, it's usually relegated as an "also ran" or a quick add-on to some other subject. We are a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) school, but the principal is pushing for us to become a STEAM school- that extra letter of "A" representing the nuance of Art! To this end, by the way, I have another project posted on donorschoose.org, as I am hoping to be able to document the children's growth - by making a documentary! I'm hoping for the funding to allow me to buy the equipment necessary to document the children as they grow through art. I am eager to film the children as they finesse their passage from students who live in West Oakland and have MAYBE gone to a museum or art studio - to children who live in West Oakland and are thinking about which museum or art studio they'd like to submit their own art to - with options! I'm super-excited about that notion - kids seeing themselves on film and seeing their own growth. Additionally, the growth that will be made through the project you funded, in terms of academic prowess, will be amazing. I'm certain that the through art- the children will gain confidence, pride, a boat in self-esteem, a new respect for concentration, etc. - which will be translated into their academic work. Art is a win-win! Thank you again for all that you have done for the chlorine at my school through you contributions - and please know that you have touched lives in a most meaningful way! I herald you!”
With gratitude,
Dr. Malloy
Friend Bench
Funded Oct 27, 2015A small breeze can change the world; can alter the trajectory of the sail of a ship or lessen the scent of prey. The small benches, placed in our school yard to allow children to wait for friends created changed hearts. I was witness to children changing in much the same manner- a small gesture which brightened a heart. Your generous gifts of funding allowed us to place a structure in the midst of all the brouhaha and play and raucousness that is recess, and allowed us to provide a small area of solace and safety.
Initially, children sat on the bench together and chatted, and then would run off and play. But when sitting, they would always notice the signs on the bench : "Friendship Bench," and comment. I sometimes overheard children discussing its purpose. And then, once the novelty of having the bench on the playground wore off, and children no longer sat together, a child or two would sit alone. I worried at first - worried that the child would not have anyone come over- but it happened! Children would come over to the loner and invite them to play!
Some teachers have used the Friend Bench as a talking point; others as a promo for writing assignments. Our students are learning about some of the tenets of Social Emotional Learning, and the existence and impact of this bench ties right in. Additionally, the soccer balls that were donated, and which are in a crate near the bench, gave the children an option when they were thinking of what to play, or how to play with the child who was sitting.
Generosity such as yours is like that small freeze that alters the trajectory of the sail of a ship. Perhaps having a space to wait for friends help to diminish some of the bullying. Perhaps it united children who would not have played together otherwise. Maybe it empowered a shy child who felt courageous enough to help a lonely child. I know it is a great addition. Our school wants to get more benches, now!
Thank you again!”
With gratitude,
Dr. Malloy
Well Loved Library Books
Funded May 30, 2015The Martin Luther King Elementary library opened up for the 2015/2016 academic year last week. Classes come into the library every week to hear a story read and the opportunity to select a book of their choice to read. MLK is a Title I school in west Oakland. Many students do not have a collection of books at home combined with difficulty in getting to the public library. The school library is the safety net where groups of volunteers assist them in finding a book which captures their unique interest.
Thanks to your donation, many of the popular titles were on the shelf ready for check out on opening day. One challenge has been to provide books in popular series. For example, students read a copy of Ivy and Bean by local author, Annie Barrows, and are motivated to read the entire series. Prior to your support, we only had a fraction of the series to offer them. Frequently students will read the list of books in the series from the back cover or preface page, and specifically ask for a title that captured their interest.
I estimate the popular titles are checked out an average of 25 times per year. Your investment in providing these well loved books will impact many library visitors and contribute to our goals of having students read at or above grade level.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Malloy
This classroom project was brought to life by Oakland Reads 2020 and 6 other donors.Hands On Publishing!
Funded Mar 17, 2015This gift, by virtue of your kind generosity, made a huge difference in my class room. Students were delighted when they saw the finished products of their authored work! Seeing their words in, as some of them put it, "real life," was both a thrill and an incentive for the kids to work even harder on their writing. Some of the students went further, and created "books," and this was the most impressive project of all. Students felt like real authors, and when sharing their books with their younger friends during class reading buddy time (when older grade children read to younger grade children), the younger children were in awe. Holding their own words in their own hands was indeed an authentic moment of pride.
Thank you again for deciding that this was a worthy project, and for impacting the lives of some very special children.
Best,
Corigan”
With gratitude,
Dr. Malloy