In my class we have one big goal - to become college and career ready by the end of eighth grade. To do that, my kids must pass the 8th grade language arts exam. Research tells us that this will show they are on track to perform well in high school and prepare for college.
My at-risk, urban eighth grade students in New York City are mesmerized by technology that can help them make connections between literature and real life.
They are creative, hungry for knowledge and looking for opportunities to set themselves apart from the crowd as the work to become college and career ready.
My students are learning Common Core Curriculum literacy skills such as citing evidence from a text to back up an argument; presenting themselves as polished, professional speakers and publishing completed expositions with material from multiple sources. While these skills are vital, many times the informational texts they read are outside their background knowledge.
My Project
With a new 3D printer, my students will read about advanced scientific topics, research them and then build conceptual models. If a nonfiction text discusses how non-native fish can invade an ecosystem, they can research what these fish look like and build models of them in 3D design programs. When my students write poems and short stories and include symbols, they can design them and print them out. They can give them to friends and families as tokens to remember their poetry by or as gifts at their next poetry slam.
My students are experiencing an unprecedented shift in the education landscape.
Students and teachers are under more pressure than ever to motivate students to perform at high standards. We are up to the challenge. A 3D printer will be a tool to get my students involved so they can see their own future in college and a successful STEM career.
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 Mr. Valia and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.