Ms. Oliver's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 28

• Puerto Rican Parrots: 3D Paper Relief Sculptures!

  Funded Dec 25, 2021

  Thank you for supporting my students by providing them with wonderful materials. Our Puerto Rican project was a huge success! We began our project by listening to the story, Parrots Over Puerto Rico. The students enjoyed learning about the birds as well as examining the various kinds of illustrations in the story.

  After listening to the story, students participated in an extensive and engaging discussion about the environmental impact humans have on the planet. It was a well-rounded lesson and the students produced beautiful birds demonstrating many of the elements and principles of art.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Oliver

  This classroom project was brought to life by San Antonio ISD Foundation (SAISD) and one other donor.

• Play! Play! Let Them Create with Clay!

  Funded Nov 22, 2021

  My students have been working on a collaborative ceramic tile project to support the environmental science component at our school. For this project, students researched types of butterflies, drew from observation, and then transferred their designs to a tile.

  Many of my students were unfamiliar with glazing and ceramic techniques. They are also intrigued by the way glaze colors transform in the kiln. We have not fired these pieces just yet, but the students are enjoying the process and these materials! It has been really exciting to see what designs and color choices students incorporate into their artwork.

  We can't wait to see the final product of this collaborative piece! Thank you so much for supporting our art program and giving students unique materials to create with!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Oliver

  This classroom project was brought to life by San Antonio ISD Foundation (SAISD) and 5 other donors.

• Sketchbook Designs for the Theatrical Experience!

  Funded Dec 1, 2021

  The students were super excited to receive their new visual journals! Many had never had an "official" sketchbook, and it was great to see them take ownership of their work. Many of the students were asking questions about whether they could take them home and work in them or use unique materials on them. It was exciting to hear their thoughts and ideas.

  The technical theater class works to support the artistic development of set and costume designs for theater performances. We are working to enhance their observational drawing skills, as well as teach perspective and foreshortening. The students are also using their visual journals to map out plans, practice drawing skills, and create notes for play productions.

  These sketchbooks have and continue to be a great addition to student learning and student organization. We appreciate all the support! Thank you so much!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Oliver

  This classroom project was brought to life by San Antonio ISD Foundation (SAISD) and 4 other donors.

• Ceramic Tile Extravaganza!

  Funded Jul 12, 2021

  Our school is a public charter school with an emphasis on fine arts and environmental science. In honor of our butterfly garden, we decided to create a collaborative piece emphasizing different kinds of butterflies.

  I introduced the project to my 5th grade students. They created preliminary sketches by researching different kinds of butterflies and drawing from observation. The initial sketches were so successful that we plan to use them for an additional project!

  The students are super excited to transfer their designs to the ceramic tiles and paint with the beautiful glazes. This project is one that the students will be able to look back on as they continue into their middle school years. Thank you so much for supporting my students and art program. We couldn't do it without donors like you!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Oliver

  This classroom project was brought to life by Clorox.

• Stuffie Pillow Character Designs! A Fiber-Arts Adventure!

  Funded May 4, 2021

  My students are having an absolute blast making stuffie characters! We have had a wide variety of of creations such as: shapes, creatures, animals, vegetables, and fruits. Many of the students had little to no experience sewing. It has been a fun and challenging learning experience for us all! I have especially enjoyed watching the kids collaborate together on ideas and provide peer scaffolding to each other.

  The students were excited to see the variety of materials they could use to construct their stuffies. Once the basic construction was created, they started to get silly and imaginative with embellishments.

  Student engagement has been incredibly high with this project. Some students are even working on their second piece because they loved creating their first stuffie so much! We thank you for your support and couldn't do it without you! This will definitely be a repeat project for next year!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Oliver

  This classroom project was brought to life by Charles Butt Foundation and one other donor.

• Paintbrushes for Happy Accidents!

  Funded Dec 1, 2021

  Thank you for supporting my students and our art education program! We were so excited when the new brushes arrived. I hadn't had a chance to unpack all of them all and the kids started asking to use them! We've only had them for a few days, and many of the grade levels have already benefited from these materials.

  We were in desperate need of more brushes as well as brushes that were able to create fine details in work. Some students are painting winter villages, penguins, and gingerbread houses. We all love these new brushes and look forward to using them in the future! Quality paintbrushes are expensive, and we couldn't afford to get these with our regular art budget. Thank you so much!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Oliver

  This classroom project was brought to life by San Antonio ISD Foundation (SAISD) and 6 other donors.

• Dia De Los Muertos Extravaganza! Needle-Felted Sugar Skull Molas!

  Funded Nov 16, 2021

  Thank you for supporting our art education program! Teaching needle-felting has been a fun experience for my students. This year was their first time using this fiber arts medium.

  First, we learned the basics of 2D felting with fiber painted landscape. Next, we moved to our Dia de Los Muertos Sugar Skull pieces. The kids loved this! This was a culturally relevant assignment. It also gave students the opportunity to practice precision and create more detail with the needle and wool. We are looking forward to our next adventure creating our 3D felted critter sculptures!

  Thank you for supporting us!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Oliver

  This classroom project was brought to life by San Antonio ISD Foundation (SAISD) and 9 other donors.

• Let's Get Crazy with Paint and Texture!

  Funded Feb 13, 2021

  The students were excited to use their new materials in class. We began a painted paper winter collage project. The students gathered around stations and were able to beautifully mix colors. They used a variety of tools to apply paint. They especially enjoyed the textured paint scrapers. With these tools, they created unique lines and patterns by stamping and moving the tool across the paper. This experimental process also allows students to engage in curiosity and socialize with each other about their artistic results.

  We are thankful for the donors who helped us get more art materials! A standard art budget doesn't go far, and we wouldn't be able to expand our project ideas without the support. Thank you so much!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Oliver

• Fun with Fiber Painting! A Needle-Felting Experience.

  Funded Jul 27, 2021

  Thank you so much for supporting my students and their art education program. Needle-felting has been a first time experience for nearly all of my 5th grade students. They have learned so much! We have been practicing safety and using materials appropriately.

  They have enjoyed creating these fiber paintings, and many students have stopped me in the hallway to tell me they are looking forward to the next class session to work on these projects. Their preliminary sketches are transferring beautifully into fiber paintings. Projects are nearly complete and we can't wait to see them displayed around our school! Thank you for supporting this wonderful art experience!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Oliver

  This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 5 other donors.

• Relief! Relief! We Have Sculptures to Complete!

  Funded Apr 10, 2021

  Thank you for supporting my students and their art education program. The majority of my students had never had the opportunity to work with aluminum repousse. The project has evoked curiosity, and they have enjoyed the process of discovering what's next with these materials.

  The students are currently working on their 3D metal bird sculptures. They are enjoying creating a unique bird design and adding texture and patterns to their work. They are continuing to embellish their metal pieces with colored shapes and excited to cut parts out to assemble their sculptures! This has been an enjoyable experience for the kids and we look forward to seeing the final results of the flock!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Oliver