Why is this important for me to learn? I'll never use it! My students continually struggle to see how the content taught within the classroom will be important to them in their everyday lives. They do not always feel a personal connection to the curriculum so they aren't vested in their learning.
Teaching my middle school students isn't just about what goes on in the classroom.
These students struggle with self-image, health issues, family struggles, homelessness, hunger, drugs. It is sad to say that our county is in the top 5 for methamphetamine use and manufacturing and prescription drug abuse runs rampant. Why should they feel motivated to come to school and learn? Many of these students feel they have no future, let alone a successful one. Motivating a student to care about their learning in my school means getting them to really connect emotionally and trying to fascinate them through the science. With over 30 students per class and many teachers on carts this can be very difficult.
My Project
With the materials I have requested, my students will be able to engage in hands-on learning that really inspires. With these materials, students will be able to hand raise butterflies from the egg to mature stage. They can watch them eat and grow, transform in a chrysalis, and then help to feed the adult butterflies by hand before releasing them into the wild. Students will also be able to study butterflies under a microscope and pin and preserve specimens that they have raised.
This encounter will inspire students to learn about the life cycle and habitat of butterflies and engage them in the curriculum of Interdependence within an Ecosystem.
Live animals, plants and insects show the true beauty of nature and as an educator I hope to use them in the classroom to enhance learning and captivate students' interest.
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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. Brock and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
