My students need materials, like adjustable tables to encourage collaboration. By providing new literature, their eyes will be open to the world around them.
My students are active participants who learn as they have opportunities.
They learn from their successes and their mistakes...we call them misconcetions.
Students learn to challenge their own thinking as well as the thinking of their peers.
They have a sense of urgency and desire to learn as much as they can.
Seven and eight year old children work well in small groups where they can communicate with one another. It is important that my students feel safe and respected. All students need to have the opportunity to communicate their ideas and be heard. They are taught to be respectful, open-minded, and thoughtful learners. Students have a deeper understanding of the knowledge they gain through the conversations they share.
It is important for students to challenge themselves with short and long term goals. They make a plan on how they will reach and surpass their goal. Students review these goals and monitor their progress.
Perseverance is a necessary character trait that students need to obtain at a young age to be successful in life. They are our future and need to be (gently)pushed in the right direction!
My Project
Second-graders need guidance to become leaders. Children need to learn perseverance to succeed. I have been working with my students on having a growth mindset. Teaching children to push themselves even further than they dreamed is a difficult task. One way that they have learned this is through interactive read-alouds. Books are a great way for children to learn about character traits. They notice when characters show perseverance or when they make mistakes and keep on going. One of my favorites is “Beautiful Oops” by Barney Saltzberg.
Teaching children the importance of perseverance with books that illustrate why staying with a goal, despite setbacks, can be so very gratifying.
I notice and point out when I see kids showing virtues that go hand and hand with perseverance like determination, patience, bravery, hard work, and resiliency.
In our classroom, students need space to work with one another. Smaller tables provide more opportunities for optimal learning to occur. By giving them time and ample space, they have time to work with peers to problem solve and discuss their learning. They become coaches and share their strengths with others.
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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. Batts and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
