My students need hooks for their knitting looms, crochet needles, and yarn for multiple projects.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Rusin's classroom raised $391
This project is fully funded
My Students
People are constantly amazed when they walk into my room and see nearly 30 eleven-year-old boys sitting in groups on the floor knitting and crocheting. They beg me every day to let them get their looms and needles out and get so excited when they finish a project.
My boys come from extremely varied backgrounds.
I have students who are refugees of war, children of immigrants, and students whose families have been here for generations. One thing they have in common is poverty. School and learning brings them together and we all teach each other every day. They are typical boys, full of energy and a hunger for new knowledge. They shun all things "girly" and hold on tightly to the idea of being a man. My goal is to turn their idea of what being a man is upside down by the end of the year. Broadening their horizons is not only fulfilling for me, but it also allows the boys a safe place to investigate things that are taboo in other areas of their lives.
My Project
As part of a community project, I began knitting in my classroom two years ago. The program provided round knitting looms, hooks, and yarn for each student. The yarn is gone and the hooks are slowly breaking and disappearing. However, every year I teach my boys how to knit with whatever supplies I can get my hands on. This year a friend was able to donate long looms and we began making scarves to go with our multitude of hats. My boys spend hours each week knitting hats and scarves to give to a local homeless shelter for the cold months. This year I added crocheting to the mix. Not only do the boys get the enjoyment of creating something, but they also love knowing that someone is going to wear their finished product. The wonderful lessons learned while working are priceless: patience, perseverance, community, math skills, and appreciation for a new art.
I can't imagine starting a new year without supplies for this project.
The fourth graders are already excited because they will learn how to knit next year in fifth grade! The badly needed supplies are not in our school budget, and I can no longer pay for these items out of pocket. I need help making sure that my boys continue to learn a life skill that encourages growth in so many areas. I need help making sure the local homeless shelter continues to get needed hats and scarves.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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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 Ms. Rusin and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
