My students need an overnight, sensory zoo experience to see animals in their habitats and understand how to care for them.
$1,469 goal
Hooray! This project is fully funded
Hooray! This project is fully funded
My Students
Our students come from disadvantaged economic backgrounds with over 99% of our students receiving free lunch. Our school is one of the most ethnically diverse schools in Houston, Texas. Students speak a multitude of languages including English, Spanish, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, French, Cantonese, and Arabic. As diverse as our students are economically and culturally, they are diverse in their academics. So many of our students are coming from countries where education is not available, so they must leave for a chance to better their circumstances. We take pride in being so diverse and exposing students to unique educational experiences.
Seeing animals in real time enhances their understanding of STEM, models elements of compassion, and builds positive relationships between student, parent, and pets.
Animals can help teachers build a supportive, collaborative classroom culture, where both teacher and students genuinely listen to each other, build connections based on shared interests and experiences, and practice understanding other’s perspectives. Animals are a part of the atmosphere in my classroom. I have had an Animal Club for more than 10 years. Students can adopt a gecko, rabbit, guinea pig, or turtle on the weekend along with parental consent.
My Project
Help my science students get their monkey on at the Houston Zoo! This field trip gives students an opportunity to spend the night in a safe, educational, science-rich environment. 97% of our school population qualify as English Language Learners (ELLs) and newcomers to the United States, so hands-on, sensory, visual lessons such as these are imperative to aid them. Our school especially struggles with scientific concepts, so to see, really is to believe for our kids.
The Zoo Ambassadors program can teach our kids about the components of various animal habitats, adaptations, diets, and vital roles in the ecosystem.
Being at the zoo will also model how animals have interdependent relationships, a tough concept for kids to understand by itself. By staying overnight, our students will truly be immersed, living in the same environments as some of their favorite animals.
Socially, caring for animals builds positive relationships between students, parents, and pets. Animals can help teachers build a supportive, collaborative classroom culture, where both teacher and students genuinely listen to each other, build connections based on shared interests and experiences, and practice understanding other’s perspectives. A visit like this is especially impactful for underserved students in our learning community. They will emerge with a new understanding and respect for many types of animals.
If you donated to this project, you can sign in to leave a comment for Mrs. Taylor.
DonorsChoose is the #1 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. Taylor and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
