Including complementary art projects in each of my Social Studies units has significantly increased student engagement and recall. For our current Women in Art unit, students are creating research reports with portraits of artists and art inspired by their chosen artist. Prior to that, my students created maps of Oregon that showed the states’ Indigenous Tribes.

Students start by finding a problem to solve or a place where inspiration or art is needed. Then they make a plan, design, get feedback and create their ideas, often using the classroom’s Cricut Design machine.

My next units focus on Latin American history and the rise of Early Humans. I would love to continue to support these units with engaging hands-on lessons, while also encouraging students to use a new medium that they have not tried – but I need supplies and storage.

I am watching my students flourish with excitement. They are coming up at lunch daily and stay after school because they are so excited about their art. Help me provide the materials to keep their love and excitement developing.