My students come from a wide variety of backgrounds - various cultures, countries, family structures, and socioeconomic statuses. My students are going into 7th, 8th, and 9th grade in September, or are joining our Academy for their senior year. The majority of my students are at-risk learners, many are English Language Learners, and many qualify for free or reduced lunch.
These students have struggled in a regular academic setting, despite the fact that they are bright, hopeful young adults looking for a strong and positive future.
My school was founded with these struggling students in mind. We are a new, innovative program focused on meeting individual student needs to ensure they not only meet their academic goals, but also become positive, productive citizens with the skills and confidence needed to achieve their goals.
I am here to help my students be independent and innovative thinkers, to feel valued as a member of an academic setting, and to set them up to participate in a challenging and ever changing world.
My Project
Games are a great way to bring students and families together. The strategy, player interaction, and focus needed to engage in these games will complement what students are learning in the classroom. Turn taking, sharing, and flexible thinking are also life skills that students can develop through game play.
Many times students who struggle with traditional coursework and homework respond more positively to games because it reinforces times in the past when they have experienced success socially rather than failure in an academic setting.
These educational board and card games will allow students to practice crucial skills in literacy, mathematical reasoning, and problem solving in an engaging setting, while also developing their communication and social skills!
Before and after school, during lunch time, and as supplementary activities integrated with coursework, students can practice literacy skills by reading the ongoing story line and choices in games like Near and Far. They can practice spelling and strategic thinking with Bananagrams, Poetry Slam, and Mancala. Students can also practice communication skills and build relationships through games like Codenames, Suspend, and Azul.
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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. Shalee and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.