"Our Middle School has a diverse population of students from various socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. My classroom also has a high population of special education students whose needs vary from those with learning disabilities to Tourette's Syndrome.
Teaching math to 6th graders is a difficult ...
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"Our Middle School has a diverse population of students from various socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. My classroom also has a high population of special education students whose needs vary from those with learning disabilities to Tourette's Syndrome.
Teaching math to 6th graders is a difficult task because all too often they are not ready for the abstract concepts that are required by the state for them to learn. Math manipulatives give the students a way to make those abstract concepts more concrete and therefore make them more successful.
Studies have shown that using manipulative improves overall understanding of concepts and as an educator I have seen this to be true, especially with learning disabled students. With little funding it is difficult to create a hands-on learning environment that will foster learning in my students. I have tried to use as many of the resources I have available to me and have made manipulatives to aide the students as well. Unfortunately, this is not enough and is time consuming and expensive.
By providing my students with these manipulatives you will be creating a classroom that promotes hands-on learning as well as bringing math alive in the classroom by helping it make sense to them. Fractions circles, fraction squares, centimeter cubes, and 3-dimensional shapes will provide the students with visual representations of abstract concepts. The dice and games will help reinforce concepts we have learned in a fun way, creating an environment that kids will want to learn in.
Your help can make math come alive in my classroom and make it possible for my students to truly understand abstract concepts in a concrete way.
My students need math manipulatives (fraction squares, fraction circles, 3-dimensional shapes, dice, games, and centimeter cubes) to make math come alive.
The cost of this proposal is $534, which includes shipping for any materials requested and fulfillment ."
Mrs. B. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Jul 24, 2008
Dear John, Anne, Scott T., Marsha, Jessica, Angela and Anonymous Donor,
Thank you so much for donating to my proposal. I know that my students will be starting the year off right with these resources. Their math classes will be more meaningful and fun. I cannot begin to tell you how much it means to me that you took the time and invested your money to help us. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
On Nov 18, 2008, Mrs. B. followed this note with student letters sent via mail to the donor who completed this project, and to donors who gave $100 or more.
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Tracey W. (staff member)
on Dec 24, 2007
