"Math and engineering skills can be learned through practical experiences. My fourth and fifth grade students will be able to practice practical life skills in a project that is relevant to them. We are a Montessori magnet program. Practical life is an important part of our curriculum, but it is a...
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"Math and engineering skills can be learned through practical experiences. My fourth and fifth grade students will be able to practice practical life skills in a project that is relevant to them. We are a Montessori magnet program. Practical life is an important part of our curriculum, but it is a hard area in which to provide works for upper level children.
My classroom has many pets. My students would like to create a more natural habitat for our turtles and give them more space to move around. We do not have the money for the supplies to fence in the area behind our classroom.
We need fencing supplies and tools to build the fence around our outdoor area behind our classroom. We would need plywood to build a low level fence and the posts to mount it to. We need hammers and nails to put it together. We need outdoor paint to seal the wood and make the fence attractive. Inside the enclosure we would need a small plastic bin to make an area with mud for the turtles to wallow, and some plants to offer hiding places and natural food sources. The students will be able to observe the animals in a more natural way and gain respect for living things and their environment.
Your help will allow my students to practice math skills in a meaningful way so that they see the importance of learning these skills. It will show them real life applications of the lessons we teach in school. It will also help to show the students the things animals need to survive and make them more aware of what they can do to protect the environment.
My students need two tape measures, two hammers, a couple of boxes of nails, some plywood, outdoor weatherproof paint, 4 large paint brushes, two shovels, a deep pan, and a few plants to help them build an outdoor enclosure for our class pet turtles.
Mrs. P. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Jan 4, 2010
Dear Bill, Ann, Toni, Suzanne, Jennifer, Allison and Lara,
Thank you so much for funding our Herpetology Habitat project. The students will be so excited tomorrow when I let them know we have been funded. We will get so much good practice at perimeter and area study with this practical life application. The students love our class pets and they will be thrilled to be involved in improving the turtles' living conditions as well. While we wait for the materials we will begin preparing the area for our construction. Thank you for helping to create an age appropriate practical life experience for my Montessori students.
With gratitude, Mrs. P.
On Jan 5, 2010, Mrs. P. followed this note with student letters sent via mail to the donor who completed this project, and to donors who gave $100 or more.
"Dear Ann,
Thank you for donating to our class project. The students are looking forward to the time we can have our own space for our class pets.
Sincerely,
Mrs. P"
The teacher Mrs. P.
on Oct 18, 2009
"I gave to these projects because I think turtles and kids should have a chance to be outside. "
"Dear Lara, Thank you for donating to our class project. We've been working on weeding our garden to get it closer to ready for the turtles. Sincerely, Mrs. P"
"Dear Suzanne,
Thank you for donating to our project. The turtles will be happy to get in a new home. They have been moved to smaller tank at my house for the Christmas Break and I'm sure they will be anxious to return to larger surroundings."
The teacher Mrs. P.
on Dec 9, 2009
"Yay for Math and Science in Florida. Go TomatoNation.com!"
"Dear Jennifer, Thank you for donating to our class project. We are getting excited as we seem to be moving closer to being funded. Mrs. P"
The teacher Mrs. P.
on Dec 23, 2009
"Dear Toni, Thank you for donating to our project. Maybe you can come visit and see it when we get it done. Thank you for the hometown donation. Mrs. P"
"Dear Bill, Thank you for finishing out the funding on our project. The students will be so excited when I tell them tomorrow on our first day back from Christmas vacation. I can't wait for our supplies to arrive so we can get started. I'm from NC so it's a gift from home. Mrs. P"
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Danielle Z. (volunteer)
on Sep 14, 2009
