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Mrs. Pettigrew from Biloxi, MS is requesting supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Mrs. Pettigrew's classroom raised $368

Worm Cafe: Lunchroom Leftovers Welcome!

My students need a garbage composter and worm book, worm video, and worm view kit to help them gain an understanding of the principles of conservation and recycling, and to help them investigate the important contributions of worms in the environment.

Mrs. Pettigrew Beauvoir Elementary School

Biloxi, MS Grades PreK-2

I teach in a self-contained second grade classroom. We are a Title One school,60% of the students participate in the free or reduced lunch program due to low socio-economic status. In the past three years our school community has seen an influx of students from surrounding neighborhoods after the destruction of their homes by Hurricane Katrina. Many now reside with relatives due to lack of affordable housing in their previous neighborhoods. Not only are these children primarily from low socio-economic, single parent households, their exposure to enriching experiences is often limited to the opportunities provided while they are in the school setting. I am in search of materials and instructional methods which will engage them in authentic learning experiences to help expand their understanding of how they can become good stewards of the earth

Imagine groups of elementary school students engrossed in lessons centered on the use and benefits of nutrient rich worm poop (castings)! Second grade students are always interested in learning about the world of science. They are especially curious about the things in nature that many grown-ups would consider to be gross or disgusting. To encourage them to investigate naturally occurring events, and to think about the cause and effect relationship between worms and the environment, I have decided to expand my usual unit on the life cycle of plants to include an introduction to the advantages of composting. In order to give my students a first hand experience with recycling vegetable and fruit leftovers from the cafeteria, I will need a Worm a Way compost kit, Worm Vue Wonder, Wormania Video and Diary of a Worm CD, so I can teach them how worms and their byproducts play an important part in helping enrich the soil and providing necessary nutrients for plants.

The resources needed for this project include a Worm-A-Way composting kit, Worm Vue Wonders kit, The Worm Café Vermicomposting guide, Wormania Video for planning lessons and writing projects, and Diary of a Worm book and CD. The Worm A Way Composter unit will be used to deposit left over raw vegetable matter from student lunch trays, to help demonstrate how they can recycle and conserve natural resources and avoid waste. The composted food matter will be used for food to aid the worms in their production of nutrient rich byproducts (castings). Afterward, the worm byproducts will be used to enrich the soil in school garden sites and as soil for experimentation during the plant life cycle unit that the children participate in each school year. The Wormania Video and resources included will be used to encourage reading and writing skills as students journal about each lesson. This project will benefit my students through their participation in authentic learning experiences which are age appropriate and have real life connections to their daily lives. Through this learning experience, the children will gain a deeper understanding of the impact that these seemingly insignificant creatures have.

Your interest in this project will make it possible for my students to be involved in an exciting examination of the fascinating relationship between humans and worms, and in the spawning of a new generation of conservationists. Imagine the impact that your funding will have on the future of our beautiful planet as the children learn how to reuse and recycle natural resources, as well as respect the work of worms!

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More than half of students from low‑income households

60 students impacted 2 donors

Project tagged as

Biloxi, MS
Grades PreK-2
Climate & The Environment
Climate & The Environment
Character Education
Supplies
More than half of students from low‑income households

Mrs. Pettigrew Beauvoir Elementary School Grades PreK-2

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Biloxi, MS View local requests

More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

60 students impacted 2donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total

Wormania! Video • Frey Scientific, Inc. $47.95 1 $47.95

WORMS RED 1 LB 1 CARD • Frey Scientific, Inc. $29.95 1 $29.95

Worm-a-Way • Nasco $85.00 1 $85.00

The Worm Cafe: Mid-Scale Vermicomposting of Lunchroom Wastes • Nasco $25.46 1 $25.46

Worm Vue Wonders? d Ix H}x % Ix 49574-1222654769 Y e s • Nasco $22.95 1 $22.95

Diary of a Worm Doreen Cronin, Read by Harry Bliss • Barnes and Noble $26.05 1 $26.05

Materials cost			$237.36
Vendor shipping charges			$23.74
Sales tax			$16.62
3rd party payment processing fee			$5.93
Fulfillment labor & materials			$17.00
Total project cost			$301.00
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			$66.07
Total project goal			$367.07
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal			$367.07
2 Donors			-$354.12
Donations toward project cost			-$301.00
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$53.12
Excluded support for DonorsChoose			-$12.95
Still needed View calculation Hide calculation			$0.00

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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 Mrs. Pettigrew and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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This teacher needs your help!

Worm Cafe: Lunchroom Leftovers Welcome!

Project tagged as

Boost your odds

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

How we calculate what's needed

Project Activity

Project Activity

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.