My classroom is colorful, inviting, and creative. I integrate science songs, video clips, and demonstrations into my lectures on a daily basis to help all styles of learners and keep students engaged. I also try to provide as many hands-on lab experiments as possible with the resources available.
I teach high school students in grades 10-12.
We are a rural, low-income school district surrounded by farmland, which many students live and work on. Many of my students are tactile or kinesthetic learners. After our district downsized and cut our industrial arts program and half of our music, agriculture, and art programs, I realized there were not many hands-on opportunities left for students. I started teaching elective courses of Forensic Science and Zoology, in addition to Biology, to give students more opportunities for hands-on learning despite the district's financial struggles. This will be my second year teaching the new elective courses and my twelfth year teaching Biology. Typically I have about 70-80 students in Biology and 20-30 students in the electives. For many, these courses are the first time they will use a microscope, and many struggle with focusing microscopes. The document camera allows the entire class to see through a microscope and learn the basics together.
My Project
Students will be completing both guided experiments and inquiry labs with microscopes in which they will use these materials. I plan to use the document camera with my projector and microscopes to show students how to focus and properly use a microscope. Students can use our microscopes to look at slides then use the document camera to take pictures of their specimens to include in lab reports and post photos to our class website. As students develop their microscope skills they will move from looking at prepared slides to collecting their own specimens. Forensic Science students will collect trace evidence to solve "crime scenes" that have been set up for them. Biology students will collect their own samples of cheek cells, hair, etc. The document camera will allow students working together to see the same image and help students with special needs be able to have the same experience as the rest of the class. The document camera will also be used without the microscope during demos.
Donations will greatly improve our school by giving students an opportunity to do hands-on, engaging lab activities.
It will help build their confidence using real-life science lab equipment and prepare them for future lab experiences in college or careers. It will also allow them to see science through a new set of eyes and view microscopic images they otherwise may not be able to see. It will allow them to visual our class content and gain a deeper level or understanding for life sciences.
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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. Abrams-Ruque and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
