A Place for Everything - and Everything in Its Place
Help me give my students the tools they need to stay organized, enabling them to focus on their learning instead of trying to find their misplaced items.
I love teaching because I learn so much from my students! Teaching in one of the most diverse schools in the city, as students learn their Common Core skills, they also discover how much they have in common with each other - at their core.
At last count, over 23 languages were spoken at our school, with a wide range of ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds as well.
Their diversity enriches us all as we discover that working together we strengthen our independence. Many of our students are recent immigrants and/or refugees whose limited English skills put up additional barriers to their learning.
Working in small groups with other students, hands-on activities, blended learning with technology, and visual supports are essential.
My Project
Our 4th graders transition from their Language Arts and Social Studies classroom to their Math and Science room. This means they must bring their books and materials with them, sit in someone else's seat, and figure out how to have their materials handy yet have enough desk space to work. Often books end up on the floor - creating a safety hazard for their poor teacher who does a lot of walking from group to group in the classroom. Some students put their things in the desk, forgets them, and then the desk owner comes back to the classroom and chaos ensues. The solution? Seat sacks!
When students come in to the math and science room, they can safely store their materials in these well-constructed pouches that cover the back of their chairs ensuring that their materials are within easy reach and off of the floor.
Brilliant!
Another tool to facilitate their learning is the use of 1-inch binders in math class. Organized into different sections (problem of the day, vocabulary, graphic tools, etc.), students will be able to quickly access the work and learning support they need. And...the binders will fit perfectly in their new chair sacks when not in use!
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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. Scotese and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.