Posted by:
Diane Jaquith
K-12 Classroom teacher
Newton, MA

Topic:
The Program Design Can Fit Any Budget

Message:
You can design a choice-based program to fit your school's supply budget. At my school, most of the supply money goes toward paper, paint, clay and drawing materials. Each year, I update or replace a few tools and occasionally add to printmaking and sculpture supplies. We have been very fortunate to receive donated materials from our families, which stretches our budget farther.

One of the most popular studios in my classroom is our 3-D construction center. Most of the materials at this center are recyclables brought in from home. Cardboard tubes, egg cartons, boxes of all sizes, plastic containers, and other various objects find their way into the artroom each week. I add cardboard and glue with occasional fun items found at local recycling centers. Students know that 3-D construction needs their donations and they are very good about remembering to bring recyclables into class.

Over the years, we have also received lots of fabric contributions. This has enabled me to set up a fiber arts studio, where students sew and collage with fabric, felt, and yarn. The school newsletter is a great place to insert a small request for contributions. Eventually, parents "catch on" and continue to send in materials suitable for artmaking.

One of the ways I stick to my budget is by limiting access to certain centers. The clay table seats seven students, so this is the maximum number allowed at this center each week. The purpose is twofold: I can only manage to fire a finite amount of clay each week, and the clay lasts longer. By keeping track of which students worked at the clay center each week, the selection process can be kept fair. With other messy materials such as plaster, I also limit the number of participants each week. It is important to make sure that everyone who wants to use these materials gets a turn.

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