My class is full of energetic sixth graders. They are in a transition year, coming to the middle school from three different elementary schools and are beginning to learn to be responsible for their own education.
My students are from an area that is economically challenged and are working against a culture that at times, doesn't value education.
These students want to be successful and strive to follow the good examples of those who have become successful. They want to be inspired by multiple examples of success and how to achieve it for themselves.
My Project
As a teacher, I want to take the spark of a new beginning and start a fire that will burn for the whole year. That’s what this project aims to do. Our parents and student arrive at open house excited for the new year. This is the best time to engage in a project that will have them return again and again throughout the school year.
Imagine a cafe setting with a warm drink, a good book and a friendly game between friends.
This cozy image is the setting for our family Cafe Nights starting before school and then every six weeks throughout the year. Students love games and good stories and with the supplies from this project, students can take teacher recommended books and games home with them that first night of open house. When they bring the items back to school, they’ll do so with their review of the game/book, so that the next Cafe Night will have student recommendations to guide families to their next selection.
The goal of the project is to increase achievement (measured by ovGPA) of our students. As families interact with learning in a fun, low-pressure way (through stories and games of their choosing), we hope to see two measurable changes in student behavior: fewer missing assignments and increased attendance at school.
The Cafe Nights will include informational tables on topics of interest, such as how to help middle school students and parent navigate adolescence, budgeting, and bullying. Student work and student presentations will be part of the evening. Most prominent of all, will be the games and stories purchased with this project. The lending library of family games and stories is the heart of the Cafe Nights, supporting families in the joy of learning and of spending time together.
Post-it Tabletop Easel Pad, 20 x 23-Inches, White, 20-Sheets/Pad
• Amazon Business
$17.46
6
$104.76
Kitki THREE STICKS Math Game Puzzles For Kids Educational STEM Toys. Gifts For Boys & Girls Of Ages 8 & Up. Improves Geometry, Logical Thinking & Creativity.
• Amazon Business
$35.00
2
$70.00
Bananagrams
• Amazon Business
$13.79
5
$68.95
Janice VanCleave's Earth Science for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments that Really Work
• Amazon Business
$10.40
5
$52.00
Science Explosion Board Game
• Amazon Business
$29.43
1
$29.43
Little Worlds : A Collection of Short Stories for the Middle School
• Amazon Business
$24.94
1
$24.94
Janice VanCleave's Engineering for Every Kid: Easy Activities That Make Learning Science Fun
• Amazon Business
$11.29
2
$22.58
Code Master Programming Logic Game
• Amazon Business
$19.99
1
$19.99
Educational Insights Fraction Formula Game
• Amazon Business
$19.12
1
$19.12
Sequence Numbers
• Amazon Business
$17.64
1
$17.64
Janice VanCleave's Astronomy for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments that Really Work
• Amazon Business
$16.00
1
$16.00
Short Scenes and Monologues for Middle School Actors
• Amazon Business
$14.95
1
$14.95
Sumoku
• Amazon Business
$14.22
1
$14.22
NADA! Game
• Amazon Business
$13.40
1
$13.40
Learning Resources - Money Bags Coin Value Game
• Amazon Business
$13.34
1
$13.34
Ideal 4-Way CountDown Game
• Amazon Business
$13.00
1
$13.00
Learning Resources Head Full Of Numbers
• Amazon Business
$12.11
1
$12.11
Learning Resources Sum Swamp Game
• Amazon Business
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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. Brunner and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
