Rote memorization and paper/pencil drills just won't cut it with students today. They want to know why things are the way they are and how to figure it out. Having real life tools and hands on resources will help my students solve math problems in many ways.
My students are very curious.
They want to know why you multiply 4/4 to get an equivalent fraction and how you add 3-digit numbers together without carrying. They need multiple explanations and strategies to solve these problems. My students consist of 5th graders who are advanced, some working at an 8th grade level. As well as, 2nd and 3rd graders working 1-2 years below grade level. Our school is an urban treasure with a diverse population.
My Project
My 5th graders are amazing thinkers and kind of quirky. They can almost teach each other while I facilitate the learning. Getting them to collaborate using these resources will not only benefit them but also incorporate inquiry into their day. My 2nd and 3rd graders need a multitude of experiences to understand a concept. What makes sense to one might not make sense to another. Having five amazing colorful manipulatives and games will get them to buy in to their learning without them realizing that they're actually learning.
My project is important because I need additional resources to help my 5th graders continue to advance their mathematical knowledge and ways for my 2nd and 3rd graders to meet and exceed their grade level expectations.
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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. Weathers and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
