This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Debate is the only activity that is open to 6th graders, as well as 7th - 8th graders. In accordance with state regulations, students must maintain their grades and behavior in order to compete. As team coach, I've witnessed the team excel, as well as inspire student leaders who go on to lead out in student government, robotics, environmental club, drama, and National Junior Honor Society.
Middle school students have a strong desire to express themselves.
Recently, our debate team taped their extemporaneous speeches on weapons' laws in support of our school's silent protest against legislative delays. They are proper debaters and can argue all sides of this important issue, and many others.
Our school strives to inspire our students. As students achieve, their self-confidence increases. We encourage learners to put in their best effort, and perseverance. They move on to high school with clear, critical thinking regarding their future career paths.
My Project
Printed copies are essential until they gain confidence in public speaking. A small black and white printer may not seem like a big deal in the current world of tech advancements. Several junked printers have been donated; I sourced a reliable printer for this project that won't cost a lot for me to buy future cartridges. As their teacher, I'm networked to a large shared printer/copier that isn't nearby. Logistically, I can't abandon the team in order to print their speeches. This means trailing students behind me to and from the printer. Or, they must wait until the following morning to pick up their speeches.
Those printer walks aren't an efficient use of club time.
I only get them one night a week, for 55 minutes. Time is essential to our competitive success. Telling a teen to wait for a speech is realistic but not productive.
Congressional debate makes them aware of real world issues. As urban debaters, they're not just growing as speakers, they're becoming the moderators, adjudicators, negotiators, and peacemakers that our world needs.
Can you help us with a printer, to better utilize their time?
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 Mrs. Jenkins and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
