Past projects 11
Activating History!
Funded Sep 29, 2022Thanks for your support. My students were able to experience screen printing as they learned about the history of printmaking and activism. Each student chose an activist who fought for a cause that is important to them, and created a design for a screen print that visually communicates about the activist and their cause.
Students were excited to learn the process of making screen prints and were also able to print their designs on t-shirts as well. They were pleasantly surprised about how easy the process is and how you don't need super fine drawing skills to create a print with a cool looking result.
My students are grateful to you in your support which allowed them to get access to materials and a process that would normally be beyond my school's ability to provide for the students. Students in other classes have seen what my students have been up to and want to learn screen printing too, so with whatever materials we have left over from my regular classes, I'll also be teaching this process in the after school art club. Almost 200 students have been impacted by this unit.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Martinez
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Classroom Supporter and one other donor.More Murals, More Pride!
Funded Aug 7, 2020Thank you for your support with this project. It has helped bring students together in these difficult times. Not only did it give students a way to express their feelings around systemic racism, but also to show their pride in the strength of their community.
It's been a tough year on everyone, and blended learning has not been easy, with students having to practice social distancing and wearing a mask al day long. This project gave the opportunity for them to work safely together and begin to connect with each other over common interests.
Most importantly, your support has shown the students that other people care about their lives.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Martinez
Painting History in the Making
Funded Jun 29, 2020Thank you for making a donation to help bring this project to life. The Covid situation has caused some delays in its final completion and installation, but as soon as we're back in the building we'll be able to hang it prominently outside our school building.
In the weeks that we actually were allowed in the school building, working on the mural (which transformed into a large banner for logistical reasons) gave a great break to students away from the heaviness of socially distant learning in the classroom. We did maintain wearing masks, and washing tools and hands so that everyone could work safely on the painting. Yet this was a break, where they could relax, and talk about everything going on, and how the banner is so meaningful to them.
We were just a couple of sessions away from putting the last touches on the banner when the city decided to go fully remote, so we'll be back to finish as soon as we can.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Martinez
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 4 other donors.Making a Good Impression With Hand and Face Casting
Funded Sep 28, 2016Dear Donors,
My classes are wrapping up their very successful hand, and face casting project, which we were able to do, thanks to your generous donation. The art class has been buzzing, as kids are showing up, not only on time to class, be early (!), anxious to get to work on their project. I get students begging me to let them work extra on their projects during their lunch period. Students are beaming with pride when other teachers come into the room, and compliment them on their projects.
For me, the best moments come when students drag one of their friends into the classroom during lunch, to show off what they are creating. It is every teacher's dream, as the friend asks, "How did you do that?", and I hear my student explain their process with confidence, and sophistication in their voice. My students have has exceeded my goals with this project. We will be celebrating their hard work with a mini exhibition opening in the school library, later in December.
I want to thank you once again. Your donation has really touched a lot of young lives. I hope you will continue to support school projects through Donors Choose.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Martinez
Faces of the Future
Funded May 27, 2015Thank you so much for contributing to our face mold making project. The students are excited, and they are already working on designs for masks that can be used for our school play. It's always rewarding when students are self motivated, as they are with this project.
The students have been excited, and having fun experimenting with different body parts, before we take on the big face masks. One student remarked how it smells like the stuff the dentist uses, and another student realized it is the stuff the dentist uses. We talked about how mold making is used in a variety of fields, and discussed the ways 3D printing is changing the way things are produced.
The drama kids are stoked about having awesome masks, and the students are learning this amazing technique for self expression. Thanks for supporting us!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Martinez
Being Bold and Breaking the Mold
Funded Apr 25, 2015Your generosity has made a tremendous impact on my art classroom this spring, by supporting this "Being Bold and Breaking the Mold" project. Right now, anyone walking into my classroom will see 200% student engagement as students are personalizing their hand sculptures. The kids are so fascinated by the mold making process, some have asked if they can stay after school to learn to cast a face! I'll be setting up a new Donors Choose project to get some extra materials for that, but I think it's wonderful how this has got kids thinking about the applications of mold making such as, industrial design, crime scenes investigations, special effects / costume design, design of prosthesis, etc... Sure, many of these are being done now by 3D imaging, but "old fashion" mold making is still the most accessible, and cost effective way for students to be introduced to the essential concepts of detailed reproduction of 3-dimensional forms. It's also incredibly fun, and when fun, and learning meet in the classroom, that's just priceless.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Martinez
High School Designers work Smooth with Silkscreen!
Funded Feb 27, 2014Thank you for supporting my art class for this project. The impact has been amazing. I have seen students gain a tremendous amount of self efficacy throughout this process. Students were able to create designs, and print them on t-shirts, and bags. They were able to learn from the "Etsy" movement, and market their creations. They gained valuable life skills, learning to create their own mini business, where they had to market their work, learn about production costs, and pricing their product to balance cost, and profit.
It is my hope they will take these life lessons into their future, and become creative entrepreneurs who make their own opportunities.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Martinez
This classroom project was brought to life by CreditReport.com and 7 other donors.Basic Sketch Books for Sixth Graders
Funded Feb 1, 2013Thank you so much for you donation to my class project of Sketch books for 6th graders. This has had a huge impact on my students. Your donation sends an important message to them that they are not forgotten, and that someone out there, cares about their future.
So often kids are given mixed messages about the value of their education, through the media, and by politicians not making educational funding a priority. Poor quality materials, and run down facilities, makes the kids wonder if this is all they will ever know. But your donation is a loud and clear message that encourages them and lets them know that their education is valuable.
When my students got their sketchbooks, the light in their eyes was powerful. My 6th graders have excellent attendance to class. Students carry their sketchbooks with them every day, all day. They arrive to the art room, anxious to show me the drawings they made on their own time. This is the visual journal of their life. They create it, and it is a record of how they are growing to see and understand the world around them.
I hope you will keep supporting educational projects through Donors' Choose, and changing kids lives for the better.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Martinez
School Murals
Funded Aug 10, 2012Thank you for supporting our project for Acrylic paint so the students at my school can paint murals in our building. As you might know, taking ownership is an important part of creating a positive learning environment. When students can make a permanent mark on the school building, their connection to the school, their teachers, their fellow students, and most importantly, their education, becomes stronger.
You donation has made a huge impact on these kids. The value of your donation far exceeds its monetary value. You have sent a clear message to these kids that you see them as a smart investment for the future. For them, this is huge. They can feel great pride in know someone out there believes in them.
We are truly grateful and hope you will continue to support school initiatives through DonorsChoose.org”
With gratitude,
Ms. Martinez
This classroom project was brought to life by Wells Fargo and 5 other donors.Sketchbooks Inspire Minds!
Funded Oct 10, 2012I want to thank you personally for helping inspire my 6th grade students with your generous gift. The sketchbooks that the kids received brought a roar of cheers and smiling faces that is truly priceless. Our school has little funding for even basic materials, so you can imagine how proud and excited my students felt knowing that someone out there cares about them enough to help get them these sketchbooks. Now they feel like real artists, and take these books with them everywhere. Students come into class, anxious to show me their drawings.
So often the arts are cut back from schools, but people forget how important they are for our children's development. Visual Arts class helps students learn to see and understand the world around them. Thank you again, and I hope you continue to impact the lives of young people through DonorsChoose.org, and other organizations that support education.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Martinez
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 3 other donors.