"Just do it! My kids need engagement with hands-on learning. I am an exceptional child educator (ECE) in an area with a high concentration of poverty. In either a pullout classroom or a mixed ability classroom, my students can shine in these types of activities.
"Just do it! My kids need engagement with hands-on learning. I am an exceptional child educator (ECE) in an area with a high concentration of poverty. In either a pullout classroom or a mixed ability classroom, my students can shine in these types of activities.
In elementary and middle school, science is often targeted to only the end of year test questions. Often there are few hands-on activities. Many of the students have an interest in conservation. As a rural community with much farming, water quality is a huge issue with a very interested audience.
The GEMS curriculum and water/environment testing resources will enable me to share with the students the impact we have on water quality, the footprint that contaminated water leaves, how our actions affect others and what we can do about it! The hands-on approach used by these resources provide a perfect engagement opportunity to raise water and watershed pollutant awareness in both the students and the local community.
You can make a difference in the lives of the wonderful children I teach and the larger community! Your support of opportunities like this allow my students to become young scientists, investigators and caretakers of our environment!
My students need 1 GEMS Ocean Currents curriculum kit, 1 Create-A-Water Garden kit and 1 each of the Lamotte hands-on quality testing tour kits for tapwater, watershed, topsoil and pond water.
See Mr. M.'s class participating in this project!
(Enlarge photos)
Dec 31, 2009
Dear RBC Blue Water Project,
Thank you for your generous support of this project! The resources from this project have been a great addition to both the classroom texts I already had as well as to other projects funded through donorschoose.org.The GEMS curriculum that focused on the ocean and shores provided a great opportunity to introduce students to the related habitat and food chains.We then explored the impact that humans have on these when the environment in general is compromised and specifically the implications of water contamination.The related water garden funded through the project has been a wonderful tool to assess not just water pollution but proper levels of sunlight, oxygen and correct balance of life necessary to support healthy water environments.
Many of my students are tactile learners that have good comprehension skills but low reading ability. Your support opens the doors for these kids to both learn through using hands-on projects as well as demonstrating what they know by using creations to demonstrate what they know.In the process, clean water stewardship has been introduced and the importance of conservation has been sown into young minds that will impact our future.These students love the idea of helping and making the environment a better place for all of us.We will continue to build on this through the use of the water and soil testing materials funded through this project during an environmental field trip or extracurricular extension in the spring.
Your support has helped to educate and enhance the learning of some wonderful children! These kids have the ability to do great things. Resources such as these are difficult to obtain through the regular school system. The projects that we have completed to date have assisted both special needs and general education students engage in active learning. You have helped ensure that fun and meaningful activities are woven throughout the curriculum of my students!I thank you for your support of this project and education!
With gratitude, Mr. M.
Mr. M. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Aug 4, 2009
Dear RBC Blue Water Project,
Thank you so much for your donation to this project! I cannot wait to begin engaging my students with the opportunities you have provided.
As is typical for most students, my children enjoy active learning rather than lecture or drill. For students with disabilities this is almost an imperative for them to gain mastery of content. With your help, I will be able to carry out projects that teach a greater understanding of science and the need to preserve or reclaim clean water sources. Kids love hands-on work and interacting with the environment. These resources will enable numerous chances for learning.
I hope to share my experiences with these tools with my fellow teachers to encourage further cross-curricular ties to clean water management. What a wonderful way to introduce children to the new school year! Thank you!
Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.
Meghan D. (volunteer)
on May 31, 2009
Verified the cost of the requested supplies and posted this project.
Ryan G. (associate)
on Jun 1, 2009
"RBC supported this classroom project because it aligns with the RBC Blue
Water Project™, a grant program established to help foster a culture
of water stewardship around the world. It in part provides funding to
support education about watershed protection, access to clean drinking
water, sustainable water use and the value and vulnerability of water
resources. "
RBC Blue Water Project
from Charlotte, NC
gave
in support of RBC Blue Water Project
on Aug 4, 2009
"The RBC Blue Water Project was established to help foster a culture of water stewardship around the world. It supports teachers who are dedicated to watershed protection and access to clean drinking water!"
RBC Blue Water Project
from Charlotte, NC
gave
in support of RBC Blue Water Project
on Aug 4, 2009
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Meghan D. (volunteer)
on May 31, 2009
