My school is an inner-city school in a high poverty area. Over 95% of our students qualify for free lunch. My students come from many different backgrounds many are new arrivals to this country and speak little or no English. Because we are a small school and funding is based on the number of students in the school we get very little funding. We do not have an English as a Second language teacher so these children are working at a deficit. One-third of my students are special needs and because we are working with so little money we do not have academic intervention to support the needs of these students.
Many of the other students are strugglers they lack the basic skills to do 5th grade work.
Many of my students are living in shelters or doubling up with other families. Many of these students have experienced trauma in their young lives, but they come to school ready to learn with the hope that they will have a brighter future.
My Project
My students need a rug to meet on to help build a sense of community. My school is located in an urban inner city, where many of my students are experiencing a great deal of chaos and confusion in their daily lives. Many of these children lack the social skills required to create an environment where learning can take place.
If I had a whole group meeting area it would provide a place where students could meet and develop a sense of community and also create a comfortable, intimate environment for learning.
This rug will help us develop a sense of community by providing a designated meeting area where concerns and ideas can be voiced. This rug will contribute to a positive classroom climate where creative ideas can be shared and developed.
This rug will be used throughout the school day as a hub for reading, writing, and math workshops where students gather to be given direct instruction. This will be a place where modeling, practice, and sharing will take place. My students are bright, creative and hardworking and I feel having a place to gather together as a community will enhance their chances for a brighter future.
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
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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. Williams and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
