"Do you remember walking in the woods and seeing the rabbits, toads, reptiles and snakes? Well, not likely if you grew up in the city.
My urban science students maintain a school zoo where our urban children can be exposed to wildlife they would not normally see in the city such as snakes, lizards, toads, rabbits, etc.
This is an essential experience for urban children, no less important for their development than reading. You have to watch the children's faces light up when they come face to face for the first time with these animals. It is an experience they never forget and is often their first exposure to science. Donations from our parents, local businesses and churches/organizations have provided the funds to feed these animals over the years, but the souring economy has dried up almost all funding for this project and school resources cannot stretch any further without seams breaking and the boat sinking.
My Project
To put it bluntly, the animals are running out of food, especially our hamsters, reptiles and rabbits who require special diets. Providing food supplies will insure that we can continue to maintain this developmental opportunity for our urban children.
Our children need to continue to have the same educational exposures that suburban children normally have.
This is essential to child development. Please don't let all our good work in creating this zoo be another victim of the economy.
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
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 Mrs. Schwartz and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.