Our school is located in a small city in central Maine. A large majority of the children in my classroom are faced with poverty and daily stressors that can make learning difficult.
I teach in a school where all children receive free breakfast and lunch daily.
Our community also has a free breakfast and lunch summer program for children. The technology in our building is limited due to state budget cuts. In second grade, we use technology to help children prepare for third grade state testing. We use technology to enhance our understanding of whole group lessons, work on reading fluency during reading workshop, develop life long skills such as typing and so much more.
In our classroom, we work together to help each other, and look outside of our school to help people in our community. Each month, we give back to at least one organization in or around our immediate neighborhood. In the past we have made blankets for sick children, made dog treats for the animal shelter, collected aluminum tabs for the Ronald McDonald House, created holiday ornaments for the nursing home and so much more. The children in my classroom are caring, compassionate and giving.
My Project
As a school in a high poverty area, providing physical fitness opportunities is as important as the core academic subjects in our second grade classroom. Many students in my classroom do not access outside play in locations other than school for a variety of reasons. Some reasons include inadequate space to get outside at home, parent work schedule, love of video games, or safety outside of the home.
A child's body and physical health, as well as mental state of mind is crucial to learning and education.
At school, we go outside each day (weather permitting) for an additional 15 minutes. This time is often in the morning, and serves as a brain and movement break for children. During these 15 minutes, children are walking or running laps around our painted track on our playground. Children set milestone goals and work to reach them.
There are two important components of our running club time. The first important component of this time is the physical exercise children get. They are outside moving, running, walking, skipping, etc. The second important component during this time is the relationships that are formed and strengthened. Child to child relationships grow, but also teacher to child relationships flourish. During this time, I run with my students, we walk and talk about their weekend, their night before at home, the things children want to share with their teacher.
The materials listed will be used throughout the school year. The t-shirts will be personalized with puffy paint like a sports jersey and awarded at 15 miles. The pencils will be awarded to students as they hit their 30 mile goal, and the medals will be used at the end of the school year, during a celebration ceremony where students are recognized for their individual accomplishments (50 miles).
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