My students need 3 Apple laptop computers, 2 toner cartridges for our class printer, 1 box of paper, 3 tubs to store evidence, 75 hanging file folders for the tubs, and a digital camera to document the team's success!
$7,164 goal
This project expired on October 25, 2009.
This project expired on October 25, 2009.
I teach 6th grade English. Most of the students come from the neighborhood. Though the demographics of the neighborhood are changing, most of our students still benefit from assistance like the city's free lunch program.
Two years ago I started coaching the middle school debate team. We started with a core of six students (3 teams) that grew this year to 12. Next year I am planning to have at least twice that number and will teach debate as an after school class. But for that to work, I need some resources — especially for students to conduct research.
Your donations will get team the supplies it needs to grow and continue competing (and winning) in the New York Urban Debate League. Computers will allow students to research this year's debate topic online, paper and toner will allow them to print the evidence they need to compete. A digital camera will allow us to record the team's accomplishments, and files and tubs will give us a place to store the evidence that has been printed and transport it to tournaments.
In the past two years, our students have consistently won citywide tournaments while learning about real world problems such as global warming, poverty and child soldiers.
The students love the competition, the opportunity to meet students from other schools and the chance to excel academically and present their own solutions to the problems described above. In the past two years, I have been absolutely mindblown by the abilities of 6th and 7th graders to explain issues like cap-and-trade energy policy or how trade can be used to coerce nations into adhering to human rights charters.
Debate teaches students critical thinking skills (to think on their feet), research skills, public speaking skills and gives them a sense of accomplishment that might otherwise be missing. All of these will prepare them for college, and it's also a great way to get college scholarships.
This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
More than three‑quarters 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
100 students impacted
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