More than half of 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
Support his classroom with a gift that fosters learning.
Monthly
One-time
Support Mr. Samper's classroom with a gift that fosters learning.
Monthly
One-time
Make a donation Mr. Samper can use on his next classroom project.
We've all been in long meetings where we start zoning out. Now imagine being a teenager who struggles to fluently read the information in front of you. Imagine the anxiety and restlessness that would bubble up as you faced a wall of words. My students need ways to burn off energy in these situations and build reading stamina through kinesthetic learning.
Research indicates movement (through things like gym or recess) reduces behavioral referrals which is critical because when a child struggles to read, that frustration often manifests in off task, disruptive behavior. My project aims to give scholars tools to stay focused in class by providing wobble stools, wobble cushions, and under desk exercise units which they can use to stay focused when they feel restless or frustrated. The balance boards will help apathetic readers build stamina by allowing them to fidget and get into a physical rhythm. These tools will also provide an incentive for skilled readers by giving them items to buy regularly using their school credits. At my school, scholars get a weekly paycheck of credits, a currency they can use to purchase items at the school store or attend special field trips. The items I have requested in my project will give scholars another incentive to work towards. Scholars will use credits to earn the tool of their choice. Certain items on the list will also be distributed to specific scholars based on the special needs of the scholar as outlined by a Behavior Intervention Program, 504 plan, or IEP (Individualized Education Plan).
About my class
We've all been in long meetings where we start zoning out. Now imagine being a teenager who struggles to fluently read the information in front of you. Imagine the anxiety and restlessness that would bubble up as you faced a wall of words. My students need ways to burn off energy in these situations and build reading stamina through kinesthetic learning.
Research indicates movement (through things like gym or recess) reduces behavioral referrals which is critical because when a child struggles to read, that frustration often manifests in off task, disruptive behavior. My project aims to give scholars tools to stay focused in class by providing wobble stools, wobble cushions, and under desk exercise units which they can use to stay focused when they feel restless or frustrated. The balance boards will help apathetic readers build stamina by allowing them to fidget and get into a physical rhythm. These tools will also provide an incentive for skilled readers by giving them items to buy regularly using their school credits. At my school, scholars get a weekly paycheck of credits, a currency they can use to purchase items at the school store or attend special field trips. The items I have requested in my project will give scholars another incentive to work towards. Scholars will use credits to earn the tool of their choice. Certain items on the list will also be distributed to specific scholars based on the special needs of the scholar as outlined by a Behavior Intervention Program, 504 plan, or IEP (Individualized Education Plan).