Help me give my students necessary creative materials and technology to publish their projects so they may help younger students build knowledge, from a person-centered point of view, about historical events which shape our current world.
This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Identifying as African-American and receiving special education services under the category of Emotional/Behavioral Disorder (EBD), the students with whom I work are at-risk of aging out of the educational system due to a multitude of issues. While select students still exhibit habitual behavior established as early as kindergarten, the majority are at a critical transformation point. These young minds are our most divergent and struggling learners; they possess excellent raw talent and insight into many issues but are restricted in their participation in elective courses (e.g. art) due to their behavior.
Beyond improving literacy and critical thinking skills necessary to successfully transition to the real world of work, greater access to artistic and design media will expand my students' sense of curiosity and worldview.
Additional art materials are needed because our learning does not end with a test, I create multiple options for students to explore the creative problem solving process and practice decision-making through inquiry/project-based learning. For example, students are currently working on their choice of a timeline or a 'story' book as their culminating US History project to give to elementary school students and our 'body scans' to demonstrate understanding of human systems, which they will also share.
My Project
The products I selected will help my students not only explore their creativity and career-related tasks (e.g. author, illustrator), but also help them gain in-depth understanding of the cause/effect relationships in both US History and Biology. The drawing materials will augment the art supplies I have already shared with my students. The printer and accessories will help these publishers better understand the final writing phase by making multiple copies to share their knowledge with younger students, subsequently helping teachers expand the world view of our elementary scholars.
Opportunities to create rather than passively learn are critical to students' participation and growth; I see the positive effect of choice and authentic real-world tasks with the completion of each project, which exponentially help to eliminate or move beyond old habits.
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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. Gordon and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
