My students need 4 resource boxes, 2 literature libraries, and other Social Studies materials that will inspire curiosity and inquiry. These materials will help them learn the new Tennessee Social Studies standards.
A typical day in my classroom is full of energy! At the end of the school year I want my students to feel confident going on to fifth grade. My students and I love to have fun and learn in creative ways. I want to impact my students so that they love school and WANT to learn new things!
My school is a small neighborhood school that is K-5 and has a total of about 380 kids.
It is about 65% free and reduced lunch. We are considered a high poverty area and many of our students frequently move to and from our school. It is so important to grow our students as much as we can while we have them. The learning that goes on IN our classrooms is very crucial in the lives of these young students. School should be a place where all students feel loved and welcomed, especially when some kids' home lives do not reflect that.
Last year my students and I became a family and learned and grew together. Having appropriate FUN resources only enhances that learning community. Some of our students come to us missing a large amount of background knowledge and by incorporating hands on materials and more literature I can help them fill those gaps and better prepare them for their future!
My Project
I recently attended a three day TNCore training session on the new Social Studies Standards for Tennessee. I learned that the rigor and depth of the material has greatly increased. The 4 resource boxes, 2 literature libraries, and other materials will help the students by providing literature, writing prompts and materials, as well as games and centers. The students will benefit from having hands-on material they can learn from. Writing has become a huge part of the standards and these materials include many ways to incorporate that into Social Studies lessons. I believe students learn better when they are able to physically manipulate materials and see pictures. It is important for students to get excited about learning and I think these Social Studies kits could help them explore and learn about history in a more exciting way!
These materials will help deepen my students' understanding of the United States' rich history.
They will have hands-on materials to learn about the Westward Expansion and Revolutionary War. Students will be more engaged in the lesson by providing them with games, centers, role playing, and historical pictures and writing prompts. The books will be wonderful primary and secondary sources they can use to connect different topics.
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 Ms. Gress and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.