Bringing Art back into Language Arts: Student Mural
My students need latex primer, various colors of acrylic paint, paint brushes, and pans, to create a classroom mural taking pride in who they are as Westside residents.
$425 goal
Hooray! This project is fully funded
Hooray! This project is fully funded
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Every period the students come in, grab their notebooks and start copying the title of today's notes in the table of contents. We take a few notes on a concept, do a fun and effective game or strategy and then put those new skills to use. Those skills either contribute to their projects or work!
My students come from a rural, family like, community.
We have a small population of less than 200 kids per grade, and have faced incredible hardships. These hardships include abandonment, abuse, and drugs. Despite these things, a lot of them are sweet, respectful and excited to learn new things. They also have hidden talents that they haven't had the opportunity to explore due to lack of resources.
A lot of my students have learned the value of hard work and the value of an education. They know what they need to succeed later in life and work for it daily. They are also aware of the community and its expectations and even stereotypes, which they strive to change.
The school itself is filled with community members who truly care for these kids. They keep an eye on them and offer firm words of wisdom and encouragement when necessary. It is a small campus in the middle of Native Hawaiian homes, which means yes, most of the students are Native Hawaiian.
My Project
For this project I requested acrylic mural paint in 10 different colors so the students have more choices to express who they are, along with latex primer, paint brushes, and pans. I asked for a lot of yellow because it is a school color. I believe this project, with these resources will bring the students together and create a positive environment.
My senior classes will split the mural in 2 sections and will have to collaborate and play on each others' strengths in order to complete this project. They will pitch a design according to the topic: I am from _____ and I am ____. They will be describing the skills they've gained from living here, how their hardships make them better. This will translate into the design for the mural so the students can express their creative talents and learn to work together. They will choose their roles in the piece and decide who will do what and when it will be done. They have the chance to take the lead on this project. They will learn all the skills necessary to be a productive citizen and employee.
This project will give the students the chance to own a part of this classroom and lead the example for the other classes.
It lets them identify who they are in this community, in this class. Letting them take the lead and learn about their own strengths and weaknesses is a life skill. Learning how to work with those things and play on others' strengths is also a life skill. I believe these students will learn the value of teamwork.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Ka'aloa and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.