My students need an Apple iPod Touch digital player as a fantastic prize to motivate them to excel in their elective class.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Tarr's classroom raised $446
This project is fully funded
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
What motivated you to come to school? I teach Theatre Arts to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in an urban middle school in Southern California that is under resourced. I need your help to motivate my students to excel in my class and inspire them to stay in school.
I work at an under-resourced school in South LA where 100% of the students are on the free lunch program.
In addition, our students lack many out-of-school alternatives to enrich themselves - our school has few extracurricular activities or competitive sports. Outside of school, our community struggles with gang violence, unemployment, and poverty. Living in this environment it is no wonder why students struggle and need help to avoid the 50% dropout rate that exists at the high school next door.
When I look at my students I see only incredible potential. I believe my challenge is not in my students' limitations but rather in my ability to motivate them. If I can find a positive way to push them academically, they will be much better prepared for high school.
My Project
My students need an Apple iPod Touch digital player as a fantastic prize to motivate them to excel in their elective class. I have established a common collaborative grouping system that holds students accountable to each other while rewarding groups that complete their work, come to class prepared, and consistently demonstrate positive and respectful behavior. Student groups are rewarded with raffle tickets each week, and if students know that the grand prize is something truly exciting, then they get excited, which in turn translates to higher motivation levels in the classroom. In the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades-when students choose a path they will likely follow later in high school-a shot at the grand prize could make all of the difference between graduating or dropping out.
In order to keep my students motivated I am requesting an iPod Touch as a fantastic prize for my positive reward system.
Your help will ensure that these students succeed and become one less statistic in the drop out rate.
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
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. Tarr and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
