Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
I teach 7th grade Science at a school in which the demographics are 43 % Hispanic, 31% white, 23% black, and 3% other. Nearly half of the school population is on free lunch.
In contemplating the new year next fall, I could not help but feel despair until I read the Dallas Morning News article about Donors Choose! It gave me great hope. I am very much excited about the idea of possibly getting assistance.
Your support will do just that!
In the fall of 2005 our district adopted a new Science curriculum. As of yet our district has been unable to fund money necessary to purchase needed lab supplies including consumable as well as nonconsumables. However, I have been assured that the following year we should receive some help but for the next school year, we are on our own. Our school allows each teacher in the school $100.00 for classroom supplies . This must include ink pens, dry erase markers, etc. Since our new science curriculum is a totally a “hands on” program these funds are insufficient in replenishing consumables.
The major objectives of this initiative is to:
• Increase Science TAKS scores and district benchmark scores
• Reach kinesthetic and tactile learners
• Engage students by implementing experiments into our curriculum
• Increase the level of understanding and retention for all students
I completed this school year successfully by encouraging the students as well as my fellow co-workers to help contribute to the consumable materials. While having great success in this endeavor, I am in dire need of monies to fund the “consumable chemicals” as well as some of the nonconsumables for next year. I would rather spend my time next year perfecting the lessons as well as motivating the students instead of searching for supplies.
Flinn Scientific Inc. contains the science materials needed. Some of the materials that I need next year (but not limited to) are as follows:
(24) Science Fair Project boards, Earth's Orbits and Seasons Kit (8) quanity, Bromothymol Blue Solution, (2) Glucose Test Strips, (2) Universal Indicator Solution, (2) Potassium Iodide Solution, (2) Sodium Chloride, (8)long stem funnels, latex tubing to fit over funnels, ( 4 Bx) Blue/Red Litmus Paper, (36) thermometers, class size (100) Live Daphnia, (10Pks) preserved earthworms, (10Pks) preserved Frogs, (24) live snails, (1) pig heart model, Beano tablets, 8 boxes Rennin Junket Tablets, 8 Milk of Magnesia, (2) Iodine Solution, 36 stop watches, (36) calculators,(6) boxes latex gloves, (36) dissecting scissors, (8 pks) clay, (100) Marbles, (36) metric rulers, (36) meter sticks , graph paper, (36) protractors, (10) Elmers' glue, (24) flashlights, and (8) masking tape, (2gallon) Aquarium, (2)aquarium nets, and several live Goldfish.
We study our human heart through the study of the pig heart. I arranged to get a slaughter house to give me 90 pig hearts to dissect this year. In addition, we study the cirulation of blood through the observation of the live goldfish's fin. That was awesome to see!.
The new curriculum includes daily labs that we are currently unable to implement in the classrooms because we do not have the necessary materials. Our students need to participate in the laboratory experiments in order to develop the higher order thinking skills necessary to score well on the Science TAKS test.
Because of the materials that will be used in my science classroom, 100% of my students will benefit from this initiative. I am challenged daily to meet the needs of my students because classes are made up of students that are labeled Academically Talented, English Language Learners, AT-Risk, Special Education. I struggle to challenge some students and accommodate for the needs of others.
Laboratory experiments allow me to reach each student at the appropriate level. Through experiments, every student is expected to push themselves a little further than the day before. This allows each child to learn at an appropriate pace for himself. Because the children will be successful, I will reach new levels of success as well. This will increase the morale of the school and allow for a more positive climate in my classroom.
Even though I skimped and solicited much help from my colleagues, I had a great year with the students. I have taught for 39 years and this one was my best. My students learned from the hands on labs while having fun. I absolutely love helping the kids and I will continue for a few more years. Since language barrier is a problem, my students really felt success with the hands on labs. $600.00 or less would replenish much needed Science lab materials. Any consideration will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide my students with lab materials for hands-on in my Science class. You can definitely make a difference in my students' lives.
Thank you,
Wooline Lester
McDonald Middle School Science Teacher