Arts

Sumi-e painting is an art form common to
both Japan and China. The discipline of Sumi-e is founded on good
observation, careful thought and even correct posture and care of
materials.

In the Seventh grade academic curriculum the Asian cultures are
studied. It would be a very natural and valuable correlation to be able
to use the traditional materials to help students to learn about this
ancient art form. In a world that becomes smaller every day it is
important that students gain an appreciation of world cultures that are
different than their own.

In my Art classes, in order to experience the complete
discipline of Sumi-e painting we need ink sticks, grinding stones to
prepare dry pigment and add water, and the traditional bamboo brushes
use be Sumi-e artists. I have traveled in Japan in the past and have
examples and books to use with my students--I lack the materials to
create an "authentic" experience.

My school is in rural North Carolina--our student population is
not diverse. I teach four seventh grade classes of approximately 30
students each year. Our African-American and White students have little
experience with the diverse cultures found in more metropolitan areas.
It is important to me to help them broaden the experiences and
horizons. When we can find value and appreciation in the wealth of
cultural experiences our students become better "world citizens."

I am the director of a growing high school
band program that serves students of a culturally diverse population.
We are 57% free/reduced lunch. We are 70% African American, 15% White,
10% Hispanic, 5% Other. Next year will be the first time our band has
competed in marching and concert competitions in over 20 years. In
order to compete we need to have balanced instrumentation. I currently
have about 70 students and need to provide low reed and low brass
instruments to fill out the sound in order to be prepared for
competitions.

One of the instruments our program needs is a Tenor Saxophone.
The instrument will be used by an alto saxophone player to provide the
baritone voice of the woodwind section. It will be used in rehearsals,
at football games, at marching competitions, and at concerts. Only 1
student will use this instrument. However, it will be reused from year
to year and will become permanent inventory of the band program. It
will serve the instrumentation needs of our program for many years to
come.

The tenor saxophone will be one more piece of the puzzle towards
us becoming a viable, competitive band program. My goal is for our
students to develop a life long love of music. I am using the
competitive band program as my vehicle to teach this.

Much like the Opaque Projector used for years in schools, the Digital
Projector permits students to project drawings from the Internet,
digital cameras, school-owned multi-media CDs & DVDs, and scanned
drawings that can be used as examples of specific art and architectural
styles. At PS41 in Brownsville Brooklyn, our developing Beginning
Architecture program needs this device to advance the teaching of the
language of architecture and architectural styles. Our 50 program
students will document neighborhood examples of various architectural
styles using the program's existing digital cameras and bring back
their findings to the classroom for projection and discussion. In so
doing, they will learn the practical uses of art and math, as well as
be exposed to a significant career path, all key NYS Learning Standards.

I copied the above from donors choose as I feel they are proposals that need attention. Some of them have only days left before they expire. I ran across one that already expired without reaching their goal while visiting the site. Maybe we can help some of the current ones reach their goals. There are plenty more to choose from that coincide with your interests. :-)

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