"You're my favorite teacher I've ever had, because you actually care about how we do!" These very words were uttered in my classroom this year, and I was ecstatic not because I had a student tell me I was their favorite teacher, because I show the students that I care. I teach at at Title 1 school in Indiana where the majority of our students receive free/reduced lunch.
Even though the students are from a low SES community, they still deserve every opportunity available.
My learners are creative, intelligent, hard-working, and full of innovative ideas. Just when I think that I have challenged them to their fullest potential, they show me they can do even more! I can only imagine how much the students will achieve, if they have the tools available to make them successful.
My Project
Makerspaces are becoming more and more prominent in schools. There are a lot of schools that have makerspaces in the school library, and I want to take that idea and incorporate it into my classroom. Our school library is on a fixed schedule, so it is not always available for us to access. I already incorporate STEM into my classroom, but I want to take it to the next level of learning and exploring.
Students need a place to explore, collaborate, and grow as learners.
They need to feel safe in the classroom and school to take risks and learn from mistakes. I will be setting up an area in my classroom that is designed specifically for these endeavors. The students will be able to utilize this area to construct and learn in the subjects of Art, Music, Science, and Engineering.
It is difficult for me to give specifics on how each of the items will be used because the students will be the ones to use and design the materials. However, I am including some examples of how the products will be used in our classroom makerspace.
Legos- the students can use them in various challenges: scenes from books, Lego mazes, depict a historical time period, and implementing with robotics.
Makey Makey- designed to turn everyday objects into touch pads. The kit can be used with items to make musical instruments, simple circuits, and even coding games.
K'NEX- can be used for STEAM projects and math/geometry.
Snap Circuits Jr.- build circuits to power items.
Origami Paper- create visual arts of origami.
LEDs- can be used with all of the above items to make it visual.
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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. Pickett and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
