My students need current books on the constellations and planets that 6th - 7th graders can use. We also need books on mammals to help them with their research papers.
"I am not like a giraffe!" The children are confused about what a mammal is, anyway. Mammals look different and students find it hard to believe that we can be related in any way to other species. Students have problems in seeing the relationship we have with other planets in our solar system.
We serve students from the suburbs and students from the satellite area of our downtown.
We come from all different kinds of communities, but we believe that we are one whole community of learners preparing for high school and college. Our current enrollment is 564 students. We have 212 in the 6th grade, 187 in the 7th grade, and 167 in the 8th grade. Our student demographics are 68 % Free and Reduced Lunch, 50 % white, and 41 % African-American. One percent is Asian, 7 % are Hispanic, 1 % is Other , and 13 % are Exceptional Child Education. These children are active learners; they love to research for their science fairs and love to explain their exhibits using their knowledge they've built upon each year. Their enthusiasm for research and their triumph in working until they have reached their goals is a testament to their trust in us to continue to provide material with which they can succeed.
My Project
We are earnest in our efforts to see our children succeed. Many of the resources we are requesting have to do with earth's relationship to other planets. I have requested 10 books on the planets i.e. "Why Isn't Pluto a Planet?" and "Constellations," seven books on mammals, e.i. "Mammals of Long Ago." Students must start to connect their own dependency on earth's constructive forces and how the students are connected to the universe. We want students to value comparing and contrasting the earth, moon, and other planets in terms of distance from the sun, size relative to the earth, surface and atmospheric features, and ability to support life. If these students can start to relate to the hugeness of life then they can take seriously their own importance and the importance of their contribution to this earth. This study of earth and planets beyond, from minuscule to vastness, can trigger a lifelong passion for inquiry and learning.
We feel it is of great importance to the children, to our state, and to the nation that these kids succeed and expect their own kids to succeed.
Today two sixth grade students included me in on their conversation about whether the changes on planet Pluto, which they are tracking, will ever create an atmosphere so life could be sustained on it. These kinds of conversations need to be encouraged, and to become commonplace among all of our students.
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