I was the ELL teacher for five years at my school. This coming up school year, I have the honor of rolling into the classroom with my former students! What I do know about my second graders is that they will need all the organization they can get - these chair pockets will help out tremendously!
All my second grade students come from homes where English is their second language - a beautiful harmony of Hispanic, Samoan, Somali, Nuer, and Hmong students.
A few of my students just arrived to the United States from Africa in May. Aside from English language development, they are learning the culture, social norms, and the great importance of an education. As a former ELL student myself, I know first hand that a good education was the key that unlocked my future. This is what I continue to instill in my students.
All of my students live in a poverty-stricken neighborhood, so basic necessities, such as food, clothing, and school supplies, are very limited. As many teachers can relate, school supplies, food/snacks, and clothing for students come out of pocket.
I feel extremely fortunate to already know my students before the school year even starts. What I do know about my students is that they are eager to learn and eager to grow into independent little adults.
My Project
My classroom is small, so I have to be unique with the organization of the classroom. Students will not have desks. Instead, I will have round tables with 4-5 students at each table. To keep a "flow" going and to minimize transitions (i.e. getting up to go get books and/or supplies) I envision each student having a chair pocket, so that they can keep their books and supplies organized.
Teachers know that time is of the essence.
Transitioning from one subject to another, shaves a few minutes from learning each day. Over time, those few minutes can add up. Having the chair pockets will minimize those transitions, giving students more time to learn. Furthermore, I believe something as small and simple as chair pockets will teach students the importance of keeping school material organized.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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.