As we adjust to new Common Core standards, the need for hands-on instruction becomes a more critical component of each and every middle school classroom. Designing lessons that encourage thinking and analysis become crucial to the students overall understanding of science concepts.
I am a 6th grade middle school Science and Literacy teacher.
I strive to incorporate as many modalities as possible in my instruction. My students are a varied group. They attend a small, rural middle school in Arkansas that qualifies as a Title I school based on income guidelines. My students are eager to learn and anxious to please. They work hard and participate. Anything out of the ordinary attracts their attention. Keeping their attention and harnessing their interests is key to a successful educational program. Most 6th graders are attracted to Science and the content feeds their interests. Why things happen and how things work are common questions asked daily in Science class. Students are enthusiastic when new things are introduced. Students respond well to projects and hands-on activities that 'show' them how and why things work the way they do. Having the opportunity to present appropriate and relevant lessons serves all students.
My Project
I am requesting funds to purchase science materials that will help boost the learning curve on teaching units about force and motion. Momentum, friction, acceleration, velocity, ....words only...until explained and illustrated through classroom investigations and experiments that use models and mechanics to demonstrate the principles behind simple machines. The materials requested can lay the foundation for many stand alone lessons and cooperative group activities. These materials will help students assimilate new concepts, participate in project based learning, solve problems and build and re-enforce skills to analyze, predict and draw conclusions.
As careers in the STEM fields continue to boom, we must recognize our responsibility to our students.
Preparation and exposure to higher level rigorous content areas will be essential for their success. Any attempts to notch up our ability to offer students more will prove to have exponential benefits. Laying the groundwork in middle school science classes will pave the way for schools and teachers to build on a strong foundation of learning and understanding.
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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 Mr. Hopkins and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.