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
My scholars are quirky, passionate, and energetic learners who value their education and have the determination to succeed and achieve. They're very curious about the world around them. They literally line up and devour any extra information and enrichment activities we give them. "Whoa, Ms. R! You have books about what we're learning in social studies in your library, too," one exclaimed last year.
My fabulous scholars are extremely dedicated to their education and taking control of their own lives.
We go back to school a week before the rest of the school district and are constantly working to find more time to push ourselves academically and to close the achievement gap. All of my students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and 95% of them are African-American.
My Project
It's that time of year again and state testing is just around the corner. Year after year, I have seen my students lose their focus and even occasionally get headaches during these hours-long tests.
They'll glance at the clock longingly and beg, "When's lunch?" A student whose stomach is growling is not a student who is able to perform to the best of their ability, and it is simply not just that my students may not show their capabilities on these exams because their body is running on potato-chip fumes.
I want to have enough healthy snacks to pass out to every 3rd grader, for all six (yes, six) days of their standardized testing, as well as a few treats to give them upon completion of their exam. It is my hope and belief that this will help them remain focused with a sharp mind, ready to show everything they've worked so hard to learn this year.
I do not believe that my students are able to demonstrate all that they've learned or all that they are on a bubble test.
Unfortunately, the reality is that their scores on these tests will determine a great deal for them in their academic careers. While passing a standardized test is not the goal of a year's worth of learning, it should be a by-product -- I truly believe in my heart that my students have learned enough to rock these tests. Please help us so that hunger doesn't stand in the way!
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. Redmond and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
