As a remedial high school math teacher, many of my students have failed math at least once. I have many students who have ADHD, ODD, learning disabilities, severe deficiencies in reading and math, and a nearly uncountable array of difficult situations. Nearly one in five of my students are refugees, and some portion more than that have really tough situations at home - either now or in the past. Almost every one of my students has free or reduced lunch.
Despite all the things they have going against them, my students choose to work hard and learn when they have an environment that helps them to do so.
Enter my student contracts: each of my classes crafted a custom made social contract that outlines norms and rules for the class. The contract is a living document, and has been amended by students as we've realized new situations that need to be addressed.
This proposal is an result of such an amendment.
My Project
One of the biggest distractions students face today is constant connection and feedback through cell phones. They are ubiquitous: even my refugee students who struggle to pay for food at home have cell-phones. One study showed that an "average" student checks their phone 110 times during school each day. No-use policies are effective in helping students reduce the distraction, but this can lead to a less friendly and less trusting environment. Students often see the rules as oppressive rather than enabling and seek to circumvent them.
A simple solution to the issue of distracting electronic devices that maintains an atmosphere of trust is a charging station with enough ports for all of the cell phones in a class.
Students would be asked to place their phones on the charging rack in their numbered slot. The charging slot will have rules established, like the requirement (and reminder) to turn volume off while charging, or consequences for touching a phone that isn't in your slot. This simple procedure will eliminate literally hundreds of distractions without compromising students' sense of independence and mutual trust.
Anker 60W 10-Port USB Wall Charger, PowerPort 10 for iPhone 7 / 6s / Plus, iPad Pro / Air 2 / mini, Galaxy S7 / S6 / Edge / Plus, Note 5 / 4, LG, Nexus, HTC and More
• Amazon Business
$33.59
3
$100.77
OriDecor [ Pack of 5 ] Micro USB to 8 Pin Lightning Converters Android Micro USB Transfer to Apple IOS Lightning Port, Compatible for iPhone5/5S/6/6S/6 Plus/6S Plus/SE and Android Phones, Pack of 5
• Amazon Business
$8.99
4
$35.96
Sabrent [6-Pack] 22AWG Premium 3ft Micro USB Cables High Speed USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B Sync and Charge Cables [Black] (CB-UM63)
• Amazon Business
$9.99
3
$29.97
Misslo Numbered Classroom Pocket Chart for Cell Phones, 42 Pockets
• Amazon Business
$15.99
1
$15.99
AmazonBasics 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip, 790 Joule - Black
• Amazon Business
$9.69
1
$9.69
Materials cost
$192.38
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$11.64
3rd party payment processing fee
$2.89
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$236.91
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$41.81
Total project goal
$278.72
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$278.72
1 Donor
-$278.72
Donations toward project cost
-$236.91
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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 Mr. Watson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
