My students are primarily African-American and Hispanic. They come to school eager to learn each day, and are excited to see what their day has in store for them.
I teach at a Title I school in Illinois, where 100% of the students receive free and reduced priced lunch.
Many of my students receive backpack food on the weekend, and our school also runs a food pantry for our families. Despite so many hardships, my students are eager to learn and do their best. They want to be in school because they want to learn all they can, so they can be successful one day.
My Project
The biggest complaint I get from my parents regarding the mandatory math homework we send home is that they themselves don't know how to do it. Math has changed a great deal since my kid's parents were in school, and some of my parents are unable to help their children. I want to hold a STEM day for kindergarten, in which parents can come in and help their children complete some math activities in a non-threatening environment. These activities will allow children to show their parents all the great things they are learning and will allow parents to learn some new math terminology or ways to help their children at home.
The best way to learn is through exploration, but many of my children do not get that opportunity outside of school.
During the STEM day, I would like to include science concepts, as well as math. The Can-Do math centers cover all of our standards for the entire year and would introduce parents to vocabulary such as: ten-frames, base-10 blocks, manipulatives, 3D shapes, and subtilizing. Parents would be able to learn what these terms mean and how to help their children with homework that involves these concepts.
My students love science, but we often do not have time at school to fit it in. Parents would learn about the proper terminology for the five senses, scientific tools, plants, and insects. If parents come to a STEM day, they can learn about how beneficial science is for their children and can take knowledge and resources home with them. At the end of this day, these activities will be available for my students to check out, take home, and bring back to school. That will further strengthen the home-school connection and get more parents invested in their children's education.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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