Our school’s students have a wonderful curiosity that makes my job as the science teacher such a wonderful experience. With so many classes and only me to teach science, I need to find creative ways to bring engaging and instructional online science resources to all our teachers. Finding cultural bridges between science and the arts allows me to better differentiate my instruction and lessons for all my students.
Our Title I elementary school has a diverse population of students who all qualify for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.
My science classes are comprised of general education, English language learners and special education students from many different cultures, all with a variety of learning styles. They are exciting to watch in action and all love to try and discover. So many times I'm overwhelmed by their competence and determination to learn and achieve.
My Project
Simple Machines and Renewable Energy are important Physical Science concepts for all my elementary science students, in particular the 3rd and 4th grades. Basic physics concepts that contribute to an understanding of how things move is critical for all children to grasp. Understanding ramps and how position affects outcome is a fun investigation that all the children love to do.
I'm requesting Ramp kits and Sail Cars to give my science students challenging and fun hands-on manipulatives to explore and discover inclined planes, gravity, wind power, and friction.
(This is very important for my 4th grades' preparation for the two upcoming NYS 4th grade science tests.)
Using the Kaplan Ramptastic kits students can use ramps to see how friction affects motion. The cars move differently down the ramp when it's covered with the different textured surfaces. Student will measure in time how quickly or slowly the cars move, as well as how far out from the ramp they travel. They'll understand that height also affects outcome on an inclined plane.
With Frey Sail Cars we'll show how the cars (Simple Machines Wheel and Axels) can move with renewable wind power. We'll explore the push power of wind against the sails and also how the different textured surfaces from the ramp kits can slow or speed up the car's motion.
Thank you for your continued support of my science students - with these resources they'll Roll and Sail to Learn Motion!
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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. Smith and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
