J. K. Rowling wrote, "Every great mind has started out as nothing more than we are now." As we roll into the new school year, my students are entering into middle school in hopes of becoming even more independent and powerful mathematicians, students, and citizens.
My students are part of a very unique learning community in an Illinois charter school, where over thirty languages are spoken and cultures are represented.
They are smart and focused youth who love to learn, and apply themselves to their work.
Our school provides my students with no more than basic materials such as calculators and textbooks. My students thrive when challenged, and learn more completely and remember more when the facts become their own. The students in my class perform much better and are much more motivated when they have a hands-on way to apply their knowledge.
Many of my students have responsibilities at home, meaning they do not get a break at home, however my students come to school everyday excited to learn and participate. They deserve the best and an opportunity to learn in a way they will really remember and know how to apply later.
My Project
My students take notes in class everyday. They copy what the textbook or what I say and are expected to retain this knowledge not only for the chapter but for coming state tests. This is an incredibly hard thing to ask middle school students to do. According to research, interactive student notebooks or ISN are a good way to "organize and synthesize" information while taking into account students different learning styles and abilities. Essentially, an ISN is guided note taking that teachers facilitate. The notes consider all learning styles, intelligences and students personality.
My students will need the requested scissors, highlighters, markers, pencils, tape and glue to create an effective ISN. The materials are basic, but cost more than my students are able to obtain on their own. We need your help in obtaining these materials to create an ISN centered classroom.
My students are amazingly unique and truly enjoy math.
They love coming to class everyday and are excited to learn new concepts. They deserve to have opportunities given to them that challenge and keep them engaged everyday.
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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. Ayers and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.