My students need math manipulatives to help them learn & apply new skills. The Volume Kit, Measurement Center, and Mall Math are perfect for my students to do this.
This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Traditionally math is taught by memorization and paper and pencil practice. However, the best way to learn is by actually doing it. Finding quality hands on math centers can be time consuming and costly. The biggest challenges 5th Graders have is conquering fractions, decimals, and volume.
When a student comes to me at the beginning of the year I have just one goal, show them how to "love learning math".
I believe under this philosophy they can conquer any skill in math and in life.
Our students come from low income families where technology, TVs, and video games have become the social norm. They struggle with everyday learning and I am always trying to find ways to engage and enrich them. Even with the struggles they face, they are always eager to learn, but often need different forms of engagement to focus their learning. When hands on tools are used, they are most interested in their learning. Through hands on math, students will succeed by manipulating difficult concepts to mastery. Math seems to be a generally difficult concept for many children to master. I believe hands on math centers will alleviate some of their frustrations.
My Project
I had the privilege of working next to several remarkable math teachers. It is my goal to replicate their centers and activities in ways the students can stay sustained at a task for 20 to 30 minutes while practicing a specific math skill.
The materials provided in this grant would allow these centers and activities to build the students knowledge and turn them into lifelong learners who aren't afraid of math and help them to enjoy a good math challenge. Students will use theses centers/activities to work directly with fractions, decimals, and volume. These centers help to create not only hands on learning and practice for students, but also an easy self-checking system that is fun and engaging.
I have heard many students and parents say "the math is just too hard".
I would love to help students overcome their fear of math and then further their exploration by involving them in real world math centers they enjoy. When students can enjoy a subject it creates so much confidence within, they become excited about school and thereby creates success for their future.
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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. Pasquarella and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.