My students need to remove the bedsheet from the wall and replace it with a projector screen, as well as needing the basics of construction paper and pencil sharpeners.
I have seen success by giving students the opportunity to solidify learning through the creation of artistic representations. This year my students are faced with an obstacle that we must overcome! Severe budget cuts will not allow me to provide my students with materials they need to be creative.
I teach in a classroom of 33 students in a high-poverty, rural area in Idaho.
My students are part of a classical education school with a strong curriculum in the arts and sciences. These children love to participate in art, dance, drama and music and they are given one hour per day to devote to these artistic endeavors. Our school utilizes primary sources without the use of textbooks for students. In 4th grade they get to study from the Declaration of Independence, Patrick Henry's speech and the Constitution, not just read it from a textbook! Our parents are very supportive and provide for the needs of our students, both in time and essential classroom materials. However, our school has undergone extreme budget reductions in the past several years and is no longer able to provide my classroom with a consumable supply budget beyond copy paper.
My Project
Imagine walking into a classroom with a bed sheet hanging from the ceiling! Why? My classroom does not have an area to project images. I need to put the sheet back on the bed and replace it with a pull own screen! I also need the ceiling mount hardware. My students are excited to learn about the Middle Ages, American Revolution, Geology and map skills! But wait, you want me to create an artistic masterpiece on notebook paper! How can I represent what I have learned? I need color and size! I want my medieval shield to be big and bold, not tiny and drab. These are surely thoughts of a 10 year old expected to be creative with no materials. I need a case of 11 x 17 ledger paper and a variety of construction paper to help with their creativity. Student will create notebooks s to represent what they have learned in history, science and literature. In addition my class needs 2 heavy-duty, electric pencil sharpeners. Without these, we will be knee deep in pencil shavings.
Napolean Bonaparte said, "A picture is worth a thousand words." If my students can see pictures and create projects of the history and science lessons, they will gain a better understanding.
Donations to this project will make the difference between lessons on a distorted bed sheet and a crisp, clear picture that children can appreciate and comprehend. Having materials to create will help students be more engaged, because they will be creating projects instead of just taking notes.
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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. Robbins and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.