"What is that?" a student asked, grabbing an apple at lunch. Yes, that really happened! Some kids just aren't being exposed to simple, natural elements. I teach kindergarten at an inner city, low-income school with all of the typical issues that occur in the setting we all hear about on the news but don't usually send our own kids to.
My students are curious and in awe of things as simple as sand, oranges and rain. We would love the opportunity to explore life science and learn more about life cycles. Unfortunately one of the first things to go in a public school is funding for early childhood programs. Then the living lab was cut, so no more class pets to experience. At the same time, students and teachers are being pressured to better understand and respond to scientific systems and processes. Teaching science without hands on materials is a sad thing. Just as the kids are getting excited, wanting to delve in and learn, they are left hanging.
My students can experience hands on experiments, ongoing investigations and develop lifelong curiosities with the support of a few materials. An aquarium, plants, sand and water...these are seemingly basics but will be beyond what any of my students expect to have access to. With these resources, kindergarteners will continue to be curious and look at the world with a sense of awe and wonder. They will know that they can have questions,learn about nature and find their own answers together. Not only would the materials I am requesting benefit this particular group of students, but the group next year and the year after.
With your generous support, hundreds of children can have the opportunity to get their hands dirty! Isn't that really what Kindergarten should be about!? Please consider funding this proposal.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Wendy and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
