As first grade teachers in an extremely diverse school, we are challenged with finding new ways to engage our students. In our classrooms, we strive to foster creativity and independent thinking through hands-on activities which promote discussion and collaboration.
Over fifty different languages are spoken at our school, making sixty-six percent of our student population English Language Learners.
Due to this, it is difficult to find hands-on activities that engage our English Language Learners in discussion. Through our research and experience, we have found that STEM activities have given students an outlet to explore their thinking in different ways.
My Project
We have decided to devote one hour each week to what we call "Exploration Hour". During this time, students have worked collaboratively to explore in various ways. Explorations we have done so far include problem solving activities, constructing objects with given materials, team building activities, and exploring students' interests through questioning.
With new materials such as blocks, bricks and tiles, we hope to expand Exploration Hour to incorporate more STEM activities and provide students with additional ways to show their thinking.
With our large English Language Learner population, these resources will provide concrete modes of showing student thinking and will act as a springboard for discussion. These materials can be utilized in many different ways. No matter the task, students will be verbalizing their reasoning and thinking critically and independently.
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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. Mandel and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.