Our school is located in the heart of New York City and we have over 1400 students. All of the students in our school are eligible for free lunch. Our families are working hard to make ends meet and very often do not have the resources to purchase educational materials for their children. That is one reason I try so hard to have it available to the children at school. I love teaching first grade, the children are all so enthusiastic, curious, and above all, loving. My students have different abilities and all of the children in my care have an individual educational plan. They become excited with each new activity and are always ready to try new things. The enthusiasm little children have is contagious. I feel this enthusiasm when I am in the classroom.
My Project
The culture of a childhood filled with time playing outdoors is gone, and the everyday lives of children have definitely shifted indoors. This is especially true in the city mainly because of "the culture of fear" in urban areas. That is why I try to expose my students to the natural world as much as can.
Media, visual images, written language, are all important, but so is the natural world.
Little by little, we are all becoming disconnected from the natural world and are becoming estranged from our natural origins.
Wouldn't it be great if you and I and others out there could help young children fall in love with Mother Nature? Most children I know have an instinctual devotion to animals and nature. Unfortunately, most children are gradually educated away from the deep connection to living things and the natural world. All children should be taught that the world is interconnected and that all living things are part of the great circle of life as we all heard in the movie, The Lion King. Many children today, especially in urban areas, have limited contact with animals, and they struggle to develop a sense of kinship with living things.
I am interested in having a nature-based program from Alley Pond Environmental Center visit my first grade classroom to conduct an interactive program so my students can learn about different animals and also about earthworms. The children will use their five senses and be introduced to many different living things.
I am so excited when I can bring "nature" into the lives of the children in my care. I believe a love of nature will grow out of my students' regular contact with the natural world. Children are born with "nature" based instincts. Please consider funding our project.
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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. O. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
