Playing outside, building with blocks, finding patterns, cutting and pasting, mixing colors, and learning about weight and measurement all interest the future scientists, technologists, engineers, artists and mathematicians in my classroom. My students are so curious about the world around them, why things happen, and seeing or causing actions and reactions.
My students are in a Head Start early childhood classroom, so they all come from families that are earning very low incomes based on their family size.
About 10% of my students also have a diagnosed disability. My students are three to five years old, and like most children this age, have built-in curiosity and desire to learn.
My Project
My young scientists, engineers and explorers need a STEAM cart full of science, engineering, art and math materials.
The STEAM cart materials will be combined into the rigorous HighScope curriculum along with using a training I had on STEAM in preschool classrooms.
HighScope curriculum encourages the use of the everyday world and objects to stimulate learning. The cart will allow me to safely store the materials when not in use. I will use the Build and Play Dinos and Magna-tiles to practice fine motor and hand-eye coordination skills. These two materials attract young hands and minds by combining color, tools and engineering! The Magna-tile cars and train set are a great way to teach the science behind velocity and slope, cause and effect. Engineer-A-Coaster and Road Building sets are a great way for students to practice following objects in motion and problem-solving. The sensory play dough and sand stimulate tactile brain connections to create and explore three-dimensional art. The Big Tape Measures will allow us to practice math: measurement, counting, and comparing sizes. Even the youngest learners have the ability to solve problems and observe changes in their environment.
Each trimester my students and I are evaluated in classroom observations to measure Kindergarten readiness. I am confident this project will raise our science and math domain scores. This STEAM cart project will allow me to fully engage my students in science, tech, engineering, art, and math challenges.
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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. Ksiazek and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
