My students need a stream ecology science kit, an owl pellet kit, snap circuit kits, safety glasses, and gloves so they can investigate science in a hands-on way this year!
I have the great privilege of teaching fifth grade in a rural, small-town, K-12 school. I have 26 unique students in my class who come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Despite all of the differences in their backgrounds, when my students walk through the door of our classroom, they walk into a community; they walk into their community.
My classroom is a place where life happens: community happens, growth happens, friendships happen, and learning happens.
My students are always eager to learn and they love to be challenged. I am constantly trying to find new ways to engage their minds and their bodies in learning. In a small school district with somewhat limited funding, I am grateful for the chance to create opportunities for my students that they might not otherwise get.
My Project
Science is such an important part of our school day because it is a time where my students are free to investigate, explore, and learn by doing. By fifth grade, many of my students have lost interest in science, saying they are "just not good at it." However by the end of the year, after our Fifth Grade Science Fair, many of their perspectives have changed. Toward the end of last year, I heard things like "I didn't know that I could actually do good in science!" and "Wow, I'm actually pretty good at science!" In my classroom, I emphasize a hands-on approach to science in hopes of changing their mindsets and making them excited about science!
I firmly believe that science is best learned when students are able to explore and investigate in a hands-on manner.
With these materials, my students will have the opportunity to do many hands-on scientific investigations. They will have the opportunity to dissect owl pellets to learn more about the food web. They will have the opportunity to do a stream and leaf study where they learn more about our ecosystem. They will be able to grow a model ecosystem in our classroom so they can closely observe the various components of it. The snap circuits will help teach them about circuits and electricity in a hands-on way. Finally, the safety glasses and gloves will keep them safe throughout their many investigations.
I hope to be able to provide my students with a full year of scientific investigations. Thank you in advance for making that possible!
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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 Mrs. Borchardt and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
