For our Extending the Partnership campaign in 2010 we are collecting art supplies for all of the primary schools in Grundy County. We invite all who are coming to any of our camps and events to bring supplies which are listed below. Our goal is to supply the schools for two years. Anything above this will go to the Grundy County Art Teacher to be used at the after- school programs and at her discretion.
Why art supplies? Most students struggle to get the basic school supplies required by their teachers. Art supplies are often deemed non-essential to households purchasing core curriculum books. Thus, funds for “extracurriculars” become a burden of the the school or art teacher. Grundy County's school board has made the conscious decision not to fully fund a comprehensive art program. If we were to mitigate this need, resources could be freed up to be used elsewhere. It is just one small but significant area where we can make a real difference.
Why art? The beneficial effects of art for children are numerous and far outweigh the cost of the programs themselves. It has been said that “school communities which infuse their curricula and orientations to teaching and learning around the arts have experienced broad-reaching outcomes.” Children who are classified economically disadvantaged (over 2/3rds of all Grundy county students) are particularly sensitive to these effects, which are not limited to but include: increases in reading comprehension skills, achievement motivation, school attendance, and a decrease in discipline referrals.1
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Jana Barrett, the art teacher for all of the Grundy County primary schools, has real, hands -on knowledge concerning the beneficial effects art has on student learning. “Art addresses several areas of the general curriculum (i.e., influences math, English, science, etc.), helps children develop their manual dexterity and hand eye coordination and boosts self esteem.” She goes on to say, “Many students who are not successful academically excel in art. This could possibly be due to the fact that not everyone learns the same way. Based on differentiated learning research, some students are auditory learnings and learn by hearing, some are visual learners and learn by seeing, or watching. Finally there are tactile learners who must be hands on and experiment to learn. Art is very helpful with visual and tactile learners. Thus, when students become successful, they feel better about themselves. Good self esteem leads to better citizenship.”
We invite you, your group, your churches, schools and your communities to help us with this project. Yes, this goes above and beyond basic needs. Yes, this might sound a bit extravagant. Yes, this is meant for us to extend our partnership past normal perceptions and venture into places where God's love might be felt in different ways. But together, we create change as we continue giving radically for a radical God!
The following list is intended as a guide. Updates on the progress of Extending the Partnership 2010 can be found at our website, www.mountain-top.org. Thank you for considering your part in this project and exploring all of the ways we can make a difference.
| Quantity | Description |
| 15 boxes | White paper |
| Lots | Construction paper |
| 50 - 100 ct. | Brass paper fasteners |
| 15 - 100 ct. | Cheap paper plates |
| 25 packs | Pipe cleaners |
| 120 pairs | Hole punches |
| 40 packs - 24 ct. | #2 pencils |
| 300 | Pink erasers |
| 120 pairs | Children's blunt end scissors |
| 50 skeins | Yarn - various colors |
| 250 packs - 16 ct. | Markers |
| 30 packs | Colored pencils |
| 40 | Rulers |
| 200 | Glue sticks |
1From the book Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Social and Academic Development by James S. Catterall