Galway Elementary School students will unlock their imaginations and boost their literacy skills working with an expert artist-in-residence. 62% of Galway's students qualify for free and reduced meals and a growing number (31%) speak English as a second language. Strategies that integrate the arts have the unique power to break beyond barriers such as language and engage EVERY student in the classroom. Students have transportation but NO after school programs - your support will change this!
Most students at Galway identify as low-income and nearly a third speak English as a second language. Funds they receive as a Title 1 are dedicated to supplying after-school transportation with nothing left over for enrichment programs. The teaching staff has seen the benefits of programs that integrate the arts, but the school cannot afford to bring in professional artists and therefore most students have no opportunity to interact with professional artists and to study art forms.
A residency will provide an engaging and authentic way for students to learn curriculum concepts. Students will have the chance to demonstrate learning in a creative way and as a result they will be more likely to remember what they learn. Poetry is an effective way for English language learners to acquire vocabulary, and creating and performing together builds team work and a sense of pride and community. Teachers will be trained to continue implementing arts strategies long after we're gone.
By working with students, parents and teachers simultaneously, we increase the sustainability of the program. After our team has left the school, the network of trained adults will continue to support and encourage teaching literacy through the arts. The reach of this project grows exponentially as these efforts are fostered long after our programs have concluded. Your donation will help to end the cycle of generations who cannot read or write. Give the Gift of LITERACY!
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
