My students need engaging math manipulatives (double-sided counters, interactive number lines, place value blocks, a class set of rekenreks, and a clock) to help develop their number sense.
Who says math has to be boring? A recent article in the New York Times underlined the importance of "very early exposure to numbers" to ensure future success in mathematics. By the end of this year, my students need to develop a strong number sense along with the understanding that math is fun!
My classroom can best be described as a one-room school house!
I teach first and second graders from diverse backgrounds, functioning at a variety of academic levels. The majority of my students have special needs or are learning English as a second language. They are eager, expectant, and joyful learners, who love hands-on activities. My students attend an urban elementary school, and the majority of the class qualifies for free breakfast and lunch, which is an indicator of a high poverty rate.
My Project
My students need engaging math materials in order to develop a strong foundation in numeracy. These materials will make it possible to arrange hands-on, student-centered learning activities. Manipulatives such as double-sided counters, sliding number lines, and rekenreks (arithmetic racks similar to an abacus) will allow my students to reason concretely. The math manipulatives will be so much fun that my students will hardly realize that they are solving challenging math problems and reasoning quantitatively.
In addition, a new magnetic write and wipe easel, will allow for an infinite range of teaching possibilities with magnetic place value blocks and a new teaching clock. Lessons will be much more visible, and more student-centered with these versatile teaching tools.
It is essential that my students develop a strong understanding of number systems by the end of this year.
These new materials will help my students understand relationships between numbers in concrete ways. Furthermore, these materials will enable my students to become confident and capable young mathematicians.
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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. Rorimer and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
