My students need the opportunity to create and build. LEGO kits provide an outlet where my students can demonstrate their creativity.
FULLY FUNDED! Mr. Akerson's classroom raised $218
This project is fully funded
My Students
In the third grade, the common mantra is that we are moving students from learning to read to reading to learn. Approximately 97% of students at our southwestern Georgia public school receive free and reduced lunch. We have many struggles associated with poverty-entrenched schools: high absent rates, lower academic achievement compared to nationally set benchmarks. However, the fantastic faculty and staff of our 400-odd student body ensures that they receive rigorous academic content and a safe learning environment.
While we accomplish daily learning objectives, I hope to teach my students choices matter.
My twenty-three students love to learn. The learning process involves decisions, and what my students choose to do and think affects their lives. I would hate to not expose my students to all of the various choices they can make.
My students hold innate potential. Receiving exposure to novel experiences will allow them to realize their own possibilities.
My Project
In class, I work to not only provide negative consequences to students but to give positive consequences, too. Like many of us, students like to work for positive consequences - extra time outside, a fruit snack or time with LEGOS - among other reinforcements. These LEGOS will add to my repertoire of possible positive consequences.
Students will show their creativity with LEGOS.
Because there is not a set instruction booklet, students will have time to create, which is the highest level in the depth of knowledge hierarchy. Encouraging and making space for this type of hands-on learning is important. Students can initiate and construct LEGO projects. Problems may need tweaking, and the adjustments will nurture critical thinking. As students play with the LEGOS, they will learn how to take turns and play cooperatively. When disagreements arise over LEGOS, I hope to teach students how to empathize with one another and how to take turns fairly.
Because my students come from predominantly low-income neighborhoods, they do not have as much access to these types of toys or experiences. Providing LEGOS in the classroom is a way to positively reinforce positive and kind behavior, to increase students' depth of thinking, and to teach empathetic behavior.
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 Mr. Akerson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
