Mo Willems: Inspired STEAM Learning Using Picture Books
My students need books by Mo Willems, an Ipevo Ziggi Document Camera with accessories and tinker toys, blocks and discs for STEAM projects.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. H.'s classroom raised $596
This project is fully funded
My Students
Our student population is racially and ethnically diverse. Over 20% are in ELL and/or Indian Education or SPED programs. We have students from Somalia, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, as well as Natives from rural Alaska. My students can't afford field trips to science centers so we take field trips on the playground when the weather is good. School is everything for them.
I work with classes of first graders who come to the library every week for library lessons, research and enrichment.
They have warm smiles and they try very hard to listen and learn but they struggle because our school lacks the budget that supports them. Most of them are economically disadvantaged. All of them are eligible for free breakfast and lunch. My school has a tradition of being a neighborhood school, but it is now a school in transition. Nearly 1/4 of the families now receive Supplemental Social Security Income or Public Assistance. They are struggling to stay above the poverty line.
My students need appealing books on their level that reinforce their lessons. They also need books and resources that will expand their worlds.
My Project
Using creative, intriguing picture books as the basis for STEM activities is becoming a way to engage students. Mo Willems is a creative author-illustrator whose work naturally engages children to think outside of the box. I am requesting copies of Mo Willems books, as well as tinker toys and plastic discs for inventor boxes. I am also asking for an inexpensive IPEVO Document camera so the entire class can see and discuss his pictures.
I want to expand my library lessons and I plan to use the books by Mo Willems as the basis for this STEAM project and by using picture books, this really becomes a STREAM project--science, technology, reading, engineering, art and math.
First, I will share the books with my students using the IPEVO Document Camera. The document camera technology will enable all students to see and interact with the text at the same time. Students will also learn how to use the document camera. Once students are familiar with the work of Willems, student teams will select one of the books for further study. Each student will create their own inventor box filled with tinker toys, paper, broken toys, and discs. Next, using their inventor boxes, teams will construct a car or bus that Pigeon could drive.
At the end of the project, I plan to have an open house for parents so that my students can display and discuss their ST(R)EAM project.
More than half 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
Ipevo Ziggi-HD Plus High-Definition USB Document Camera (CDVU-06IP)
• Amazon Business
$99.00
1
$99.00
ETI Toys-92 Piece Educational Construction Engineering Building Blocks Set for 3, 4 and 5+ Year Old Boys & Girls. Pure Engaging Fun and STEM Learning Kit! The Best Toy Gift for Kids Ages 3yr - 6yr.
• Amazon Business
$34.99
2
$69.98
TINKERTOY 30 Model Super Building Set - 200 Pieces - For Ages 3+ Preschool Educational Toy
• Amazon Business
$45.12
1
$45.12
The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!
• Amazon Business
$13.12
2
$26.24
VIAHART Brain Flakes 500 Piece Interlocking Plastic Disc Set | A Creative and Educational Alternative to Lego Building Blocks | Tested for Children's Safety | A Great Toy for Both Boys and Girls!
• Amazon Business
$24.99
1
$24.99
Ipevo Height Extension Stand for Ziggi and Ziggi-HD USB Document Camera (CDVU-04IP-A1)
• Amazon Business
$24.00
1
$24.00
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
• Amazon Business
$11.33
2
$22.66
Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!
• Amazon Business
$11.23
2
$22.46
ZOOB Car Designer
• Amazon Business
$19.01
1
$19.01
IPEVO Magnifying Lens for the Point 2 View, Ziggi-HD, VZ-1 HD and iZiggi-HD Document Camera
• Amazon Business
$19.00
1
$19.00
The Pigeon Needs a Bath!
• Amazon Business
$9.29
2
$18.58
Let's Go for a Drive! (An Elephant and Piggie Book)
• Amazon Business
$7.99
2
$15.98
If I Built a Car
• Amazon Business
$13.54
1
$13.54
How Cars Work: The Interactive Guide to Mechanisms that Make a Car Move
• Amazon Business
$13.03
1
$13.03
Mo Willems Pigeon and Pals: Complete Cartoon Collection Volumes 1 & 2
• Amazon Business
$11.59
1
$11.59
The Pigeon Loves Things That Go!
• Amazon Business
$5.43
2
$10.86
Your Cable Store 15 Foot USB 2.0 Extension Cable
• Amazon Business
$6.29
1
$6.29
Materials cost
$462.33
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$6.93
3rd party payment processing fee
$6.93
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$506.19
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$89.33
Total project goal
$595.52
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$595.52
5 Donors
-$271.55
Donations toward project cost
-$265.55
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$6.00
match offer
-$283.11
Match offer toward project cost
-$240.64
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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 Ms. H. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.