My 7th & 8th grade students are a diverse group, representing a variety of socio-economic levels, academic ability levels, nationalities and more. We are a full-inclusion school, so I teach all students, including those with special needs, gifted, and English learners.
All of them receive a rigorous STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and humanities education, along with a wide variety of engaging and relevant elective courses.
Following STEM principles, we have developed activity-based science courses in which students are guided through the topics while acquiring skills in experimentation, measuring, and lab techniques.
I believe science class should be fun, relevant, and engaging. I want students to love science so much that they choose to study it in high school and college.
My Project
My seventh grade students will read "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate." This is a highly engaging book that tells the story of a young girl who loves science at a time when girls were not expected to study science or medicine. Many of my students are reluctant to read novels, especially the first few chapters when they don't have a connection to the characters yet. The bookmarks I have requested will help motivate my students to make it through the first 5 chapters and receive the bookmark as a prize that they can use as they continue the book. They will love the designs of feathers, plants and animals because they are items that the main character, Calpurnia, comes across in her adventures.
I want my students to have their own special journal to sketch their observations of the world around them like a real scientist.
Students will use the blank journals to create their own book of scientific sketches from these labs. Drawings don't have to be perfect, but the more they try to draw what they observe, the more details they will actually notice. And their observation skills will get better with time and repeated use of their sketchbooks. One of the items they will sketch is the small geodes. Students will sketch the outside, then carefully break open their geode and sketch the inside. They will love the discovery of crystals!
I am requesting science tattoos and atomic super balls as prizes for students who work diligently and have no missing assignments at the end of the quarter. Hard work deserves recognition and students will feel proud or their achievement. The planetarium book and beetle book will be available to students as the 8th graders learn about astronomy and the 7th graders research insects.
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
VEEPPO A5 Wirebound Notebooks Bulk Pack Spiral Notebook and Journals Blank/Lined Kraft Brown Cardbard Cover Thick Cream Writting Pads Sketch Scrapbooking Album (Blank White-Pack of 8)
• Amazon Business
$28.99
4
$115.96
25 Break Your Own Geodes, 90% Hollow-Small ( 1-1.5”) Crack Open & Discover Amazing Surprise Crystals Inside! Educational Info and Instructions Included, Fun Party Favors & Prizes, Dancing Bear Brand
• Amazon Business
$27.95
3
$83.85
Science Temporary Tattoo (Classroom Pack)
• Amazon Business
$11.00
4
$44.00
36mm ATOMIC SUPER BALL (1 DOZEN) - BULK
• Amazon Business
$6.44
5
$32.20
This Book Is a Planetarium: And Other Extraordinary Pop-Up Contraptions
• Amazon Business
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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 Mrs. Kirshen and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
