My students need a Sony Playstation unit, with controllers.
FULLY FUNDED! Mr. Renard's classroom raised $569
This project is fully funded
My Students
We encourage young children to learn through play, but as they get older, we tend to make learning more businesslike.
My students are video game players.
They discuss it constantly. They dream up sequels. They talk about playing together. They truly enjoy doing it. They are bright young minds who know there are opportunities out there, but they do not know what that means. I ask, "What do you want to do when you grow up?" and a handful of students will respond, "I want to make games." When pressed further, however, none of them knows what that entails.
As a school, we are a rural community where families either farm, do bluecollar work in the community or work at the small college that makes up about half of the area's population. They are learners who, without a passion, will likely never leave the area.
My Project
It is my intention to harness their enjoyment of video games in a positive manner. My goal is two-fold and has already begun to take shape. First, I have started creating a series of mini-games using the game Little Big Planet 2 that addresses different content areas that my students learn about in class. These mini-games are educational and designed specifically for my students, but they are available to anyone on the online community. I have already given students an opportunity to play the first two mini-games I made with much success: one for language arts and one for science.
Second, I would like to start a game design club for fourth and fifth grade students that would introduce students to some of the different roles of making video games. Students would be encouraged to research and design their own levels in the game, create their visions and then share their work with others. Ultimately, this would give them an idea of what they might like to pursue in their learning.
For my students this project would allow me to encourage something more than staying in the community doing menial work that their families have always done.
It will give them a chance to manipulate technology in a way that will only give them an advantage in the economy that will await them. Learning can still be fun for these students, and this might give them the spark they need to pursue creative passions and dreams of advancement.
More than three‑quarters of 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
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 Mr. Renard and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.