In order to inspire my students to be innovators, I have to give them tools that can revolutionize learning. They have to know that they are allowed to take risks, make mistakes, have fun, imagine, and create. That is the way to start something extraordinary today!
I teach a vibrant group of fifth graders in Los Altos, California.
They have a diverse range of academic abilities and backgrounds, but one thing they have in common is excitement for creativity. They love to build and create, especially if the project involves technology. Our school is a place where innovation is welcomed and risk-taking is supported.
My Project
In my classroom, I emphasize empathy and collaboration, but at ages 10 and 11, those ideas can be challenging for my students to learn. Therefore, by engaging in a design-thinking project where the students will create a math board game for other students, they will have a chance to work together to help others to understand and enjoy math. The students will go through the entire design thinking process, starting with gaining empathy, defining the problem, ideation, prototyping, testing, tweaking, and then 3D printing their game pieces.
Imagine the sense of pride the fifth graders will feel when they are able to create a math board game that will help others better understand the concepts taught in fifth grade.
The amount of work involved will help them understand that creating something meaningful is not an overnight process. The fact that the game includes real plastic pieces that they conceptualized is the icing on the cake! This is a project the students will remember long after they leave fifth grade.
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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. Nguyen and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.