Experiential Learning: Building Memories and Birdhouses
Help me give my students a Do-It-Yourself Birdhouse Kit that will be designed and constructed in our English as a New Language After-School Enrichment Program "Project Cook".
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.
My Students
Given the challenges facing English Language Learners (ELLS), public schools across the country need additional support to meet their needs and ensure academic success. After-School Enrichment Programs designed specifically for this vulnerable student population can provide a culturally sensitive atmosphere, use a variety of learning approaches to help build literacy skills, foster community and engage students to promote motivation and interest.
For this reason, every year my school in the South Bronx offers ELLS in 3rd and 4th grade the opportunity to participate in an After-school Enrichment Program called "Project Cook".
My co-teacher, who has been running Project Cook for over 20 years at the school, creates a themed English language enrichment program that strives to develop language skills through interactive activities. Each week the students participate in literacy activities (from engaging in readers theatre to creating their own podcasts) create arts and craft projects and eventually put on their chef hats and cook a themed dish at the end of the week.
My Project
Students learn in many different ways: visual, auditory, tactile, kinesthetic, and social. For English Language Learners (ELLS) hands-on, interactive projects that incorporate an array of these learning styles allow them to successfully demonstrate their knowledge while simultaneously developing their language skills in a safe environment. In our After-School Enrichment Program "Project Cook" we strive to make hands-on learning the center of our program.
The theme of this years "Project Cook" will be Birds and for that reason I am asking for your help in receiving 24 Do-It-Yourself birdhouse kits that will be completed as an arts and craft activity.
These birdhouses will be designed and constructed during "Project Cook" with teacher supervision, after which students will be allowed to take them home. Building a birdhouse will be a hands-on, creative and artistic activity for these students, something which is often missing from an average day school day in the South Bronx. In fact, many students never have had the opportunity to work with wood, nails and a hammer in a controlled, safe environment. It is also my hope that this project will provide the students with the opportunity for small group conversation as they work alongside one another and in turn strengthen their knowledge and English language skills.
Do you see the potential of English Language Learners living in the South Bronx? Do you believe in the importance of After-School Enrichment Programs? Do you value experiential learning? If you answered yes to any of these questions please consider helping me provide 24 Do-It-Yourself birdhouse kits for the students that will participate in "Project Cook" this school year.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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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. Schelble and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
