Do you remember when learning was fun? Who would have guessed that all those blocks and paints in first grade laid the foundation for our education. Unfortunately without resources for my students to investigate learning by themselves, they are often left with nothing but paper cut outs at centers.
My students are rowdy, sweet, creative, and full of potential.
At six years old they are ready to take hold of their learning and be on course to graduate from college! One of their favorite cheers is "work hard, get smart!" and if you asked why we needed to know something, surely a student would tell you so his brain could grow and grow and grow! Unfortunately they come from very high poverty homes. Many students need to borrow pencils and crayons from school so they may do their homework at night. We continually struggle with a lack of resources, as only a few parents were able to provide us with classroom supplies at the beginning of the year. It is a stark reality that my students need to fight against the odds to truly achieve their dreams of college. On average students at our school enter school a year and a half behind their affluent peers. However, these little ones are resilient and hard working. I know they will persevere to reach their goals.
My Project
These instant centers will be integral in motivating students to latch onto learning. They will provide students with hands on games and activities to help practice newly learned skills. Center time allows for students to practice multiple skills in a small group setting for shorter periods of time. This time is vital as students are able to work specifically at their level, revisiting skills they didn't quite get the first time or pushing forward with new challenges when appropriate.
The instant centers offer a wide variety of activities to be practiced using word work, word families, phonics and sight words all critical facets of their foundational understanding of literacy. Students will be propelled forward in their learning by not only being able to choose their own activities but also by being fully engaged with the hands-on manipulatives.
Roughly only 1 in 10 students growing up in poverty will graduate from college.
This crushing reality weighs upon the shoulders of each of my students. In order to achieve their dreams they need additional support. These learning centers will allow students to build a strong foundation of reading skills that will support them through their education and ultimately lead to long term success.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Heaton and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
