I am a first grade teacher at a brand new charter school. We will have an all-inclusive classroom with special education, English language learners, and gifted and talented learners with minimal to no pull-outs.
What makes my class unique is that we are the first military academy in Colorado—75% of our student population comes from military families, with an emphasis on military education, Civil Air Patrol, character education, project-based learning, service to our community, and STEM education.
While we are a STEM-based school, we are in the beginning days of getting our school launched. Resources are at a minimum, and funding is tight. My students will only be able to participate in the STEM lab a few times each quarter. I am searching out ways to bring STEM resources into my classroom to enhance the learning of my students in this amazing field with endless possibilities.
My Project
My students need hands-on math materials, including dominoes, linking cubes, counters and ten frames! I want to improve their learning opportunities during whole group, small group and center based learning.
Hands-on math manipulatives provide young learners an opportunity to have a concrete example of what is very abstract thinking at this young age.
My class will use these dominoes, math cubes, and ten frames and counters in conjunction with learning centers, math games and a variety of instructional means to enhance their mathematical thinking. Students will have a more extensive library of math tools to find a way to solidify their learning, especially for my kinesthetic learners.
At this age, it is developmentally appropriate and more engaging for students to learn through play. Offering math games, during instructional time allows students to engage in their learning. Collaborative learning also offers students an opportunity to learn from and teach their peers, engaging them in critical thinking skills as well!
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