In our district, my cooperating teacher and I have worked tirelessly over the past five years to create an outdoor garden for the students in our school. This garden serves as an outdoor classroom where our students can experience a hands on learning experience.
I currently teach third grade and my school runs from grades 3 - 5.
We have a very diverse population of students and my district strongly believes in the inclusion model for special education students.
Our self contained special education students and teachers have truly played an integral part in the success of our garden. The garden allows the teachers to teach life skills, critical thinking skills, and problem solving skills in a peaceful outdoor setting.
All of our students truly enjoy and benefit from the education they receive when our garden is integrated into their instruction.
My Project
The resources I am requesting will help the teachers to garden in their classrooms during the months when we are not able to go outside. The hydroponics gardening set and the water garden will assist the teachers as they begin to teach the unit on plants and animals.
The required third grade curriculum asks teachers to teach about the needs of a plant and the parts of a plant. In addition, teachers incorporate a study on ecosystems as well. These resources tie directly into the required curriculum and will assist us with hands on resources. The students will also become responsible for caring for the living plants in our classrooms.
Our garden has truly made a difference in the way that our students learn in our school.
All subjects can be taught using the garden as a resource. The items that I am requesting will further our gardening endeavor and will allow our students to continue to use critical thinking and higher level thinking skills. In addition, our special education students benefit from any gardening activities that we can offer them and it enhances their educational experience for the better.
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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 Mrs. MCCLOUD and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.