My students need plastic two-pocket folders and pencil cases to help them improve their organizational skills and keep their materials in order.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Marcus's classroom raised $692
This project is fully funded
My Students
My first grade students love to read, write, and learn, and they adore being in charge of their own materials. My goal as their teacher is to support them not only in increasing their knowledge of reading and math, but also their independence and organizational abilities.
Frederick Douglass said, "It is easier to build strong children then fix broken men," and at Frederick Douglass Mastery Charter School, we try to live by the words of our namesake by educating the whole child.
We are a turnaround charter school in a high poverty area of Philadelphia. Over 96 percent of our students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. In the five years since becoming a charter school, our students have made remarkable gains in both reading and math. My first graders are bright, engaged, and excited about learning.
My Project
With plastic folders and pencil cases, students will be able to better manage their own materials and organize their own seat sacks. My goal as a teacher is for my students to be able to independently take responsibility for their own materials. Students have seat sacks in which they have folders for each of their subjects. When finished with their work, students are responsible for taking out the correct folder and putting their papers away. This builds their organizational skills, as well as self-efficacy, and fine motor skills. Currently, students struggle to use the paper folders they have because they tear easily and then become increasingly more difficult to use. With plastic folders, the frustration of tearing folders will be eliminated, and students will feel more success in their organizational skills.
First grade is a time when students are expected to grow by leaps and bounds in hard skills like reading, writing, and math.
However, the "soft skills" of organization, independence, and fine motor are equally important. These materials will allow my students to feel success with their organizational skills, thus building their confidence and independence. Additionally, with less time spent struggling with organization, more time can be dedicated to learning.
Nearly all 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
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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. Marcus and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
