Teresa Miller

My project is for a K, 1st, 2nd special education students.

I love creating art projects and I have seen the magic and power of creative arts in student engagement, behavior management, mathematics, coordination, and imagination. As a special education teacher, I use art as a teaching tool every chance I get in the classroom. There is nothing more powerful than a student using art to engage themselves. Art can also be a communication tool for students. It is a way to share their thoughts by presenting their artwork.

Things like construction paper, glue, feathers, googly eyes, pom poms, wood, and markers will allow my students to express themselves in so many different and interactive ways.

Supplies such as a Polaroid camera and film will allow us to do some photo crafts. Students can actually see themselves in new environments. This also will bring in technology. My students will also have the chance to make different types of crafts that will teach them about their Appalachian history. I will bring in community partners to teach them how to make wood crafts, jewelry, quilting, and sewing. I also plan to display their work at our school, Perry County Public Library, and courthouse in the Perry County Judge-Executive office during their monthly board meeting.

Data will be collected throughout this project. Students will take photos of their project to be kept in a notebook journal. In the journal, we will list out steps for the project, a cost for each project and a reflection. The journals will be compared at the beginning, middle, and end of the year. The student’s overall success will measure if the student’s presentation of art projects and journals by a scoring rubric.