"You can't learn from experiences you aren't having", is a quote by Louis L'Amour on which I base my gifted program. All students need exciting, hands on learning, and my students need to be challenged. In a world of technology and instant gratification, it is hard for kids to understand the past.
We live in a rural, high-poverty area in eastern NC.
Our students come from low socio-economic backgrounds, but are driven and motivated to succeed. Our school continues to perform well compared to other schools, despite our challenges. This shows our drive and determination. We try to offer as much technology as possible, but students still need experiences.
It is a challenge to meet the needs of highly successful learners in the gifted program when very little resources are available. Because we do not live near a large city, it limits our ability to provide hands-on experiences for these students. Because of their economic challenges, my students do not get the opportunity to experience the world outside of our town. Many of these kids have never been out of the city limits. This trip would not only improve their learning, but will show them a world they may never otherwise know.
My Project
It is amazing how much of an impact learning can have on a child when you walk out of the classroom and into the real world.
During this trip the students will visit Colonial Williamsburg and see first hand how the colonists lived, worked, and played. They will get to experience life in the day of a colonist and visit several historical sites on the grounds. They will talk with historians who are experts in their topics and will learn history first hand. Then we will take a night ghost tour to hear the legends and lore of the past. The last day we will travel to Jamestown to hear the story of the founding of this settlement and hear the story of the Native Americans.
In today's fast paced, technology driven world, students are used to instant gratification. It is hard for them to relate to history when only seeing it on a page in a book. Visiting Williamsburg and Jamestown will let them experience history as it was and gain a richer understanding of the life, the people, and the times.
I have heard it takes a village to raise a child and this gives so many people a chance to help our children experience the world around them.
Most of the children in my class can not afford to pay for the total cost of this trip. They have been working hard to raise funds and are doing so by making an impact in their community. This is a chance for others to give back and support our students. It shows them there are people who want them to be successful and care about their education.
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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. Merritt and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.