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
"Ewww, it's wiggling!" That was the cry from around my science lab on the day students were first exposed to live creatures in the classroom. Life Science is one area students love to explore, but inner city children don't have many opportunities to explore living organisms in the real world.
My 5th grade students are 98% Hispanic with 95% receiving free/reduced lunch.
They are all English Language Learners, who have just transitioned from bilingual classrooms to all English instruction. They struggle to transfer their background knowledge into a new language while preparing for the state mandated Science test they take in 5th grade.
The children benefit from hands on learning where they can make real world connections to the concepts that will be tested. Having actual organisms helps them put the words together, but we are located in the inner city, where those opportunities are limited. Most of them have never seen butterfly larva, tadpoles, or watched the metamorphic process. Having those habitats in the classroom where they can observe every step of the process will help them to understand metamorphosis and life cycles in plants and animals.
My Project
I would like to provide the opportunity for students to closely observe life cycle through the metamorphosis of painted lady butterflies and frogs, as well as the behaviors of land hermit crabs. Each of these habitats will provide hours of hands on learning opportunities along with the development of responsibility that is required to take care of the animals. Plant life cycles will be observed when the children cultivate several varieties of seeds and then explore the similarities and differences in the plants as they grow. We will conduct investigations which require the manipulation of variables to help them understand the scientific method, another area in which they struggle.
My students are excited when they come into the lab, always anxious to learn.
They want to be successful and overcome the challenges of English Language Learners making that transition from bilingual classes. We have books and we have videos, but nothing makes the impact that live organisms can on their internalization of those Science concepts. Your donation can help make that a reality for my students.
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
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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. Laforet and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
