My fourth graders are extremely full of life! Despite the fact that most struggle with difficult situations outside of school, it does not debilitate them. They amaze me every day with their resiliency and the way they manage the stress they are faced with on a daily basis. Every day, they show up ready to learn and most say they dislike breaks because they'd rather be at school.
My students are naturally curious and inquisitive, which means they adore having materials at the ready that lend themselves to this work of discovery through hands-on learning.
At the same time, they crave new books that include stories about characters they can relate to or information about a topic that pulls them out of the world they live in and exposes them to things and places beyond what they know. My wish is to be able to inspire them to create, do, and love things that improve the quality of their own lives and that make the world a better place.
Though it may be the opposite of what is normally thought to be true, my students teach me every day-how to be strong, how to persevere. They truly are my heroes.
My Project
Chart paper and markers are the materials I use daily in the classroom so that I can make charts for or with my students that remind them of all the things we learn together. Then, when they are expected to work independently, utilizing the strategies I've taught them, they can use the charts posted around the room as reminders of how to practice the skills they are working toward adding to their repertoire. Making these charts as I teach helps to increase the level of student engagement, as do post-its, which I use for students to jot thoughts mid-lesson, answer questions as a small assessment at the end, or mark notes on books as they read.
Nearly all 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
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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. Palmieri and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
