Our seventh grade is comprised of 96 amazing and very energetic learners. Each one comes from a very different and diverse background, with several families that travel 30-45 minutes one way to attend our school.
We have found that many of our students thrive and learn better through hands-on experiences.
The needs of our students are our number one priority. We have a wide range of academic abilities, such as Gifted and Talented, English Language Learners, and several on Special Educational Plans. Using hands-on and cooperative groups allows us to meet the needs of all our students.
My Project
The Paleontology Dig Project integrates all subjects, and allows the entire seventh grade to come together in a culminating event. It is really an extension of our Archaeological Dig Project. With the Archaeological Dig, learners will spend several weeks researching ancient cultures such as, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Native American, Mayan and Aztec. They will create a PowerPoint of their civilization to present to the class prior to "The Dig". Once all the research is completed, each group will create artifacts that teachers will bury at the dig site. Along with the ancient artifacts, teachers will bury fossils, rocks and minerals at the bottom of the site for the paleontology portion of "The Dig".
By donating to our project, you will allow our students the opportunity to replicate a paleontology dig.
Learners will be given a two-foot by two-foot plot, that the math classes surveyed and staked. Here they will become archaeologists/paleontologist, and spend a week uncovering artifacts/fossils using small hand tools and sifting through the dirt. As the artifacts reveal themselves, students will log each item into their "Dig" notebook. The "Dig" notebook will also include daily journals entries and sketches of artifacts/fossils found that day.
When the excavation is complete, learners will take their artifacts to the classroom (museum) and determine which civilization they have uncovered, and prepare them for display. They will also identify the fossils and rocks they have uncovered, and create a separate display. We will then host "A Night at the Museum", where our learners will be able to share their findings with their families and friends. "The Dig" allows our learners to participate in a real-life experience, through the integration of curriculum, cooperative learning, and the use of critical thinking skills.
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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. Castleberry and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.