Having Fun AND Getting Smarter All At the Same Time
My students need 11 games such as ThinkFun and River Crossing that increase their logical and critical thinking skills.
FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Martin's classroom raised $310
This project is fully funded
Having fun and learning at the same time is the best of both worlds! It can be hard when you are 7 or 8 years old sitting all day in a 2nd grade classroom. However, put a game in front of a child that is fun, challenging, not too hard and not too easy and all the sudden school turns into a great place to be. Creating an environment where kids are excited to come to school and can't wait to get home to tell mom and dad what they discovered today is my ultimate goal. Students come to school with a variety of abilities, gifts, and talents. Tapping into those resources is extremely important. The games I have chosen allow children to start at the level appropriate for them and then continue to move on and increase their ability.
Studies show that differentiating instruction is a very effective way to meet all the different ability levels and learning styles represented in a classroom. One key component to differentiated instruction is to provide higher level thinking activities that go beyond the normal classroom instruction. It is my desire to strengthen my classroom in this area. Exposure to the higher levels of critical and logical thinking will greatly benefit all students. Many of the critical and logical thinking games and activities I would be receiving are individualized and have tiered skill levels so students will be able to progress at a rate that is appropriate for them. The critical and logical thinking games and activities would allow students to apply the information they are learning in class in a new and different way while creating a fun learning experience.
I would like to provide opportunities for students to participate in activities and games when their classroom work has been completed. I would also use these higher level thinking games in my small group instruction and rotations. I anticipate this center being a real motivator for all students. Students will work hard to master the things being taught in class and completing their work thoroughly and accurately the first time so they can spend more time working on the games and activities. Through exposure to these activities, critical, logical, and deductive reasoning will increase. Students will be forced to think outside the box. These types of activities are directly linked to the 2nd grade math state standards on problem solving. State standard 2.6.1 states second graders will be able to choose the approach, materials, and strategies to use in solving problems. The games and activities will give students an opportunity to master state standard 2.6.1 in a variety of ways.
I have a few of these games in my classroom, and the students love them. I have been very impressed with the kids’ sportsmanship and desire to keep playing. It has also been wonderful watching how the students have worked together and encouraged each other to learn a game. The students understand the purpose of the activities and ask often if I could “get some more games that help us get smarter.” I have a very limited supply of games at the current time and would love to be able to purchase more. There are so many wonderful games available. A few of the games I would love to be able to purchase for my classroom are Mastermind, Rush Hour, Subtrax, Tipover,River Crossing Jr., and Apples to Apples.
These games can be used each year and shared with others. This will enable more student exposure to this type of learning activity. I will implement this center as soon as the games are purchased and will continue to use them throughout the years ahead.
I greatly appreciate your consideration of my request to purchase critical and logical thinking skills games
More than half of students from low‑income households
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