We have a created a unique learning space for our students. We call our space the Collaboratory. We have re-designed our learning space to allow for creativity and innovation. Students are able to select from daily challenges and follow their own passions in learning.
We are located in rural district in Western Washington.
My 32 students are 4th and 5th graders with various backgrounds and experiences. High poverty and language barriers are issues that my students combat each day, but their drive to collaborate, learn and problem-solve drives them to learn and question.
We have created a learning culture and developed group expectations to guide our work together. Some expectations that students created include: It is okay to say you don't know how to do something yet, support each other, and be willing to try new things. This is an amazing group of students and they deserve the best learning experiences possible.
My Project
We work together in our Collaboratory learning space (our classroom) to learn what we care about and tackle weekly challenges. Students are able to select their own learning projects and find what they are passionate about. The tools we have requested will help us redesign our learning space and create a "Makerspace" type atmosphere. Rolling stools and access to tools and scissors will turn our space into the self-directed learning space. We are working to develop a set of tools and resources that students can access to develop their interests in science and engineering and the arts.
Donations to our Collaboratory will enhance the learning of every student involved.
We have teachers and administrators throughout our district that consistently visit our learning space. We hope that projects like ours can be replicated and shared throughout our schools and beyond. Some people have similar project ideas called Makerspaces or Genius Hour, all I know is that students thrive in their learning when they have choice, when they have a chance to explore what they are curious about.
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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. Dabbs and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
