Each morning I greet a group of students who come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Many of my students are struggling to cope with the multifaceted dilemmas of living in extreme poverty. Some of my students have experienced more than I can imagine in their short 11 years. Many of my students have failed to meet state math standards for years and need an extra boost to help them achieve. Yet, these students have so much to offer our classroom community. From the student that consistently strives for excellence in spite of his different learning abilities to the student that is able to make us all laugh, each of these students has unique qualities that I hope to develop in the coming year. It’s these students that motivate me to go to work each morning, compelling me with their stories and capturing my heart with their willingness to persevere amongst rampant injustices.
In our classroom we are working hard to "beat the numbers!" "What numbers?" you might ask. We are working hard to beat the daunting statistics that our students face. Nine-year-olds growing up in low-income communities are already three grade levels behind their peers in high-income communities. Half of them won't graduate from high school by the time they're 18. I invite you to join us in this struggle, to help give these 38 students growing up in a small rural town in Hawai`i a fighting chance at success. I invite you to help empower these 38 amazing students to achieve their potential.
The diversity of students that come to my classroom to learn math each day need equally diverse and creative tools to empower them to make significant gains. My students love math games and will enthusiastically explore mathematical concepts if they are presented in the form of a game. I often have students begging to keep playing a math game and asking for more! I have found that playing math games with my class enables students to overcome misunderstandings and meet standards while having fun!
Remember, the future of Hawaii depends on the condition of its children. Out here on the coast our children possess infinite potential and are given so little. If our children are given the chance, nurtured and provided with meaningful learning opportunities, I know they can develop into incredible leaders. People like you who generously support our children are working toward a brighter future.
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 Ms. K. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.