My students need colorful writing supplies, including markers, pens, and colored pencils to turn knowledge into a lasting memory and motivate underachievers.
A prominent goal for all of my students is for them to take charge of their own learning and challenge their normal habits. We expect students to take notes in class but do not give them strategies to create long lasting memories. In my classroom we call our interactive notebooks SCRAPBOOKS!
My 42 students are very capable learners but often struggle to keep organized and be motivated to do things they believe are unnecessary.
They are great students but they need tools to help them achieve their potential and take smart risks that allow them to conquer their inhibitions. As I strive to prepare them for middle school I want them feel confident that they have the study habits and organizational skills to be independent thinkers and problem solvers. Our community school supports our regular classrooms very well, but my special education classroom services students who need an extra challenge that they do not receive in the traditional setting. Unfortunately our program does not get any supply money and we have already exhausted the left overs from years past. My students need colorful writing tools to develop their scrapbooks and use creative thinking that leaves a forever stamp of knowledge on their mind.
My Project
My students will use the writing tools to design their understanding of topics presented in class. Our Interactive Science and Social Studies Scrapbook (Learning Log) is a storage place for study guides, activity pages, foldables, scientific illustrations, maps and lab reports. My hope is that my students will put forth great effort so the notebook serves as a record of all they learned in 4th or 5th grade. They can use the tool in the future as their very own reference guide. Research shows that colorful notes and illustrations impact the memory more than a single color. Applying creative techniques to recording data and drawing/labels models will improve understanding of scientific concepts and historical events.
Although these tools are being requested for this specific purpose, they will also aid in many other classroom endeavors. We routinely use these tools to enhance products for oral presentations and student taught lessons. My more artistic students need a hands-on outlet.
The donations to this project will leave a lasting impression on my students as they become independent learners in charge of their own academic gains.
Autonomy is a characteristic of students who value an education and as teachers we want our students to see educational value and embrace it! The routine these tools will establish will help my 5th graders transition into middle school and will set them up for success in the future. Knowing how to record important information is a lifelong skill!
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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 Coach EBRPSS Esports and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
