My second-grade students are an energetic and fun-loving group of kids who come from various social and economic backgrounds. We are lucky to live in a tight-knit rural community that feels very much like a family. My students are eager learners and I am delighted daily by their enthusiasm towards school. I love watching them learn and explore the world around them.
Each one of my students approaches learning in their own unique way, some learn best with their hands while others learn best through listening and watching.
They work hard to learn new topics and love showing me what they know. We are a classroom community that supports each student's unique needs and diversity.
My Project
Each morning my students are asked to complete differentiated morning work when they come into the classroom. It is a way to get their brains in gear and ease into the school day. Often early finishers are asked to study their spelling words or read quietly. I have begun to notice, however, that they are not actively engaged in this time and I started to think....how can I use this time wisely?
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics has been promoted widely in the education world as an innovative way to help students think logically and critically.
It also gives them real-world applications and experiences to better prepare them for their future. However, it is hard to fit in detailed STEM activities every week, much less every day. I believe these hands-on tools are the perfect way to give my students these wonderful 21st-century skills, keep them actively engaged in the morning, and begin their morning with something FUN!
The students will use these tools as well as items we have already in our class (Jenga blocks, shape blocks, attribute blocks, Geoboards, Popsicle sticks, index cards and much more) to build, explore and learn through rotating morning tubs. The students will be assigned a group and then each morning after their morning work is complete they will get their tub for the day and work through the activities together. They are using logic thinking skills while collaborating together- what a great way to prepare them for the working world. The items will rotate out each week and a new item will be placed in the tub. Items will be repeated throughout the year but each item is so much fun!
Please consider donating to this project and help my kids start their day being Morning Masterminds!
Learning Resources Mental Blox Critical Thinking Game
• Amazon Business
$26.90
1
$26.90
Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears! Deluxe Building Set, 100 Pieces
• Amazon Business
$25.34
1
$25.34
Zooawa [90 Pcs] Building Blocks Set, Hedgehog Sensory Soft Stacking Toy Educational Construction Interlocking Bricks for Toddlers & Kids - Colorful
• Amazon Business
$21.99
1
$21.99
1st Grade Smarty Pants Card Game Set + FREE Melissa & Doug Scratch Art Mini-Pad Bundle [50722]
• Amazon Business
$20.99
1
$20.99
Didax Educational Resources CVC Unifix Letter Cubes (Set of 90)
• Amazon Business
$20.82
1
$20.82
Quadpro 36 Piece Magnet Tiles Magnetic Building Blocks for Kids, Standard Set with Wheel
• Amazon Business
$19.95
1
$19.95
LEGO Classic Basic Brick Set 11002 Building Kit , New 2019 (300 Piece)
• Amazon Business
$17.97
1
$17.97
Straw Constructor STEM Building Toys 300 pcs-Colorful Interlocking Plastic Enginnering Toys- Fun- Educational- Safe for Kids- Develops Motor Skills-Construction Blocks- Best Gift for Boys and Girls …
• Amazon Business
$16.99
1
$16.99
VIAHART Brain Flakes 500 Piece Interlocking Plastic Disc Set | A Creative and Educational Alternative to Building Blocks | Tested for Children's Safety | A Great STEM Toy for Both Boys and Girls!
• Amazon Business
$14.99
1
$14.99
Goobi 40 Piece Construction Set Building Toy Active Play Sticks STEM Learning Creativity Imagination Children’s 3D Puzzle Educational Brain Toys For Kids Boys And Girls With Instruction Booklet
• Amazon Business
$14.95
1
$14.95
Educational Insights Magnetic Sight Words and Sentence Builders
• Amazon Business
$13.69
1
$13.69
Rockwell Galleries - Circle Templates, Oval Template and Erasing Shield for Drawing, Drafting and Creating by Rockwell Galleries - for Home, Office, Creative Studio or Personal Drawing and Drafting.
• Amazon Business
$10.99
1
$10.99
Foam dot dice, Large, 4pcs/Pack. Square, Assorted Colors - Great for Playing Games - for Kids Boys and Girls Party Favors, Bag Stuffers, Fun, Toy, Gift, Prize, Piñata Fillers
• Amazon Business
$8.99
1
$8.99
Fun Express Reading Dice, Word Family Dice, Phonics Game
• Amazon Business
$7.45
1
$7.45
Materials cost
$242.01
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$18.88
3rd party payment processing fee
$3.63
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$294.52
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$51.97
Total project goal
$346.49
Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.
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 Mrs. Elks and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
