Classroom Project

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I teach 6th, 7th, and 8th grade beginning ESL students in a large urban school district. My students all qualify for free lunch, and many of them come to me with large gaps in their education.

Because my students come from all over t... MORE

I teach 6th, 7th, and 8th grade beginning ESL students in a large urban school district. My students all qualify for free lunch, and many of them come to me with large gaps in their education.

Because my students come from all over the world, including third world nations with poor educational systems, they sometimes have trouble with some of the more cerebral concepts, particularly in math and science. Research has shown that using manipulatives is the best way for students to learn about these concepts.

Gizmos are interactive online simulations that demonstrate math and science concepts. Last year, I used Gizmos with my class, and not only did they love being able to manipulate variables within the Gizmo, but they were also able to better understand the concepts presented. We were also able to use Gizmos after we had read and discussed a concept to further reinforce what they had learned. For example in our lesson about fractions, the students were able to go into various Gizmos and manipulate fraction bars, number lines, even create beautiful fractional paintings.

Research has shown that high school math level is the biggest predictor of student success in college. Your help will make it possible for my students to have an opportunity to understand the concepts they will need to build their future mathematical and scientific success. HIDE