When you think about numbers - I mean REALLY think about numbers - they can be pretty confusing! This is especially true for young learners like my second graders! Having a strong sense of numbers is extremely important, so it is my job to figure out how to teach this effectively!
I teach at a small school in Washington state.
My school is classified as a high-poverty school, with many students on the free and reduced-price lunch program. My classroom of students is always made up of a wide variety of abilities, interests, and challenges. From learning support students, to English language learners, to gifted students - I am here to teach them all and give them the best education!
My Project
In schools across the country, elementary students use base ten blocks. Base ten blocks start out with small square blocks that represents the ones place in numbers, then it moves to rods that represent the tens, and flat squares that represent the hundreds. These are great tools to use with young learners because it gives them something concrete with which to represent something that is abstract, like numbers. However, there are a couple of problems with base ten blocks: 1. There are never enough for all students, and, 2. They get ALL OVER THE PLACE and are therefore, not effective. For these reasons, I am requesting sets of interlocking base ten blocks. These are AMAZING! Think of them like Legos - students can actually BUILD the numbers they are working on by putting the ones, tens, and hundreds together! I am requesting enough of these blocks so that my whole class can work with a partner using these.
Blocks that lock together are SUCH a simple tool, but as a teacher I can tell you that sometimes, the simple things are what work best!
With these blocks, I will be able to guide my students on a mathematical journey - and by the end of their travels, they will be leaving me with a strong, deep understanding of numbers. Thank you so much for believing in my students!
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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 Mrs. Kelly and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.