Fill Our Classroom With Books and Math Supplies!

My Students

Every student can reach his or her potential if given the chance, and Donor's Choose helps to create that chance for my students. The introduction of grade level books and math manipulatives to our classroom can help give them the opportunity they need to be more actively engaged in their learning.

My students are a culturally diverse group of 3rd grade learners in a Title 1, Level 1 school in Seattle.

Included in our class (and in our school) are English learners as well as students receiving Special Education services. They are surrounded by a caring staff and have the support of the community. They study socio-emotional awareness in an effort to remove just one of the barriers to a productive learning environment and life. They take pride in their school, and sing the school song at every assembly. Our school's cultural diversity creates a richness in the classroom that is both celebrated and craved -- for my 4th graders last year, I brought a suitcase full of books with lead characters who were minorities, and my entire class erupted in cheers. Alas, I am only a second-year teacher, and this is my first year teaching 3rd grade. They have the spirit and the will to succeed, but not necessarily the supplies or experience to build confidence and ease the path to achievement.

My Project

The books I requested are either aligned with the third grade common core standards, are centered around ethnic minorities, or both. These books are meant to challenge and engage our young readers. Our chair pockets are a necessary classroom organization tool since we are equipped with tables rather than desks with personal storage. Last year I bought cheap paper "mail boxes" and while the kids enjoyed decorating them, the boxes were destroyed pretty easily due to the weight of their text books. The classroom clock will be used to practice telling time on an analog clock (another 3rd grade common core standard). Lastly, the math manipulatives (polygons, scales, rulers, and fraction bars) will be used to offer hands-on learning opportunities as we study shapes, measurement, and parts of the whole -- more 3rd grade standards. With the simple addition of rulers and scales, we can also continue to complete STEM projects such as designing and building "mint mobiles" (pictured).

My students are not "typical" learners, but that doesn't make them poor learners.

They need more hands-on supplies and activities to help make a personal connection to their curricula. They need to read about other "brown" characters to bring their fiction texts to life. And they'll need help organizing their new supplies so that they can focus on their learning. In short, the funding of my very first Donors Choose project will transform our classroom for the better. Thank you for reading.