My students need to work with geometric solids, folding geo shapes, and a shape chart to make a deeper connection between two and three dimensional shapes. I have also requested 30 dictionaries.
We are very busy all day long in our classroom. I believe that children should be moving, collaborating, sharing ideas, and learning. We have a small room and I will be taking my second graders up to third grade with me. By the end of second grade, I expect my students to be independent learners.
I have a very diverse student population, which I find personally enriching.
Several of my students have at least one parent who only speaks Spanish. Nearly all of my students have an English vocabulary deficit, due to being an English language Learner or because of their home environment. However, they are very eager learners, and soak up new skills like sponges. I have more boys than girls, so it is imperative for me to "level the playing field" as much as possible. Our school is only around 80% free and reduced priced lunches, so we do not get the amount of money a 99% Title l school does. We also have a very mobile community. I have gotten three new students in the last four weeks, so it is challenging to keep enough supplies on hand.
My Project
Right now, we have a hodge-podge of dictionaries in our classroom. If I had a class set, I could teach the necessary dictionary skills for students to independently spell many of their own words when writing.
Since our classroom is small, the requested magazine files will hold their writing journals and some books. When I call them together for Writer's Workshop, the students can bring their boxes of materials. Currently, we are using plastic shoe boxes, but they don't stay upright and take up space.
I have one set of geo solids at the moment. It would make such a difference if we could have groups of students working and exploring with the geo solids. Using the chart and the foldable solids will really help with the geometry concepts of faces, edges, vertices, and help my students see the relationship between 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes. Being able to handle the manipulatives is exciting and helps promote deeper learning.
The "book boxes" will help us to be more organized in our room and make transitions a little smoother.
Having the same dictionary for each child will make it easier for students to work together to look up words. I want my students to see math as a fun experience, so manipulatives will enhance that learning. Lastly, the message that someone cares about their learning will stay with them forever. Someday, they may be in a position to return the kindness.
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