I teach the English and Art History components of 12th grade in a small learning community in a large high school (3800 students). We service low to mid-range and at risk students, emphasizing college an career readiness. Most of our students pursue a vocational path after graduation.
Our large high school buses in over 1000 students from inner-city schools, yet does not receive Title I funds (the monies stay with the local school). As a result, we need to service those students without the funds they would normally be entitled to at their home schools: a unique and frustrating situation.
I have created a service learning assignment which emphasizes community pride, communication, and cooperation. Students form teams to photograph neglected, vandalize, or abused areas of their community (parks, schools, neighborhoods, etc.). As we engage in a standards-based curriculum thematically exploring the need for a social imagination, students "imagine" how they can improve the areas they discovered. They then engage in clean-up and service efforts to improve their communities, documenting their progress. They will complete a "before and after" short film of their accomplishments and send it to donors, sharing their successes. They will take photos of neglected, vandalized, and polluted areas in our community (L.A. and surrounding areas) then restore the area in groups, taking pictures of their accomplishments and assembling a "before and after" slideshow. To do so, we are in need of 4 digital cameras.
Students have difficulty demonstrating humility and grace. This project is a vital leap of humility for these kids. It introduces the idea of giving back. Your sponsorship will increase my students' sense of self-worth and dignity while giving back to neighborhoods in need.
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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 Mr. Firestein and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
