Classroom Project

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I am currently a 5th grade teacher at a Title One school. This is my first year at this particular school. Even though it is a great school, it comes with many challenges. I teach language arts, math, and social ... MORE

I am currently a 5th grade teacher at a Title One school. This is my first year at this particular school. Even though it is a great school, it comes with many challenges. I teach language arts, math, and social studies. My students are primarily African-American, with a few other ethnic groups sprinkled in, and come from low-income and high-stress environments. The economy in the state of Michigan is negatively affecting their educational progress. Our school strives for excellence in education but, due to budget cuts and deficits, our students are not given the tools they need to succeed.

While getting to know my students this school year, I shared with them that I have a brother serving with the Army in Iraq. They expressed a deep interest in corresponding with him while he is on deployment. After much discussion we not only decided to correspond with my brother, but our class adopted a soldier who is deployed as well. We agreed that it would be even more rewarding to support a soldier who didn't have a lot of friends or family to correspond with. We received our soldier's name and address and would like to begin a writing campaign. However, we are in need of some supplies to show our pride and gratitude (our school theme this year) to this soldier.

After a great deal of brainstorming with my 5th graders, we decided on a variety of supplies to implement this project. First, we need handwriting paper to practice our writing skills. Next, they decided they needed some maps to keep track of where our soldiers travel. Our classroom is not equipped with any maps. They also wanted a journal to document their communication and write down any thoughts they might want to remember in between letters. Another powerful suggestion came from a ten year old who suggested a tape recorder. When asked why, he said he thought the soldiers might want to listen to a voice recorded message from the class. Unfortunately, the classroom has no audio equipment, so a tape player was added to our list. Most importantly the students need some nice writing paper, envelopes, and stamps. Disappointingly, stamps were not offered so we have come up with some creative solutions to solve this problem. The students also wanted some special writing instruments to give our letters some artistic flair. That's why they requested gel pens and colored pencils. This project will not only support academic enrichment but community awareness and support.

Your help will ensure my students enhance their writing skills along with supporting our troops overseas. Please understand that this writing campaign is just a small portion of this project. My students have dedicated themselves to helping this young man with any basic supplies he might need. This project is vital to my students' understanding of the Core Democratic Values that this country was founded on. They are coming together for the Common Good to support their fellow American and expressing their Patriotism for this great country. You make it possible for my students to learn the benefit of acting for the well being of others. Not only is this an educational project, but a community service project as well. With your support, this project will hopefully lay the foundation for future community activists or volunteers. HIDE