My students need 6 mechanical dot cars to learn how to illustrate the motion of an object using a graph to show a change in position over a period of time.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. James's classroom raised $483
This project is fully funded
My Students
How can I make physical science meaningful and fun for my fifth grade students? I use toys. For this project I want to use a sophisticated toy called a dot car. It Illustrates the motion of an object using a graph to show a change in position over a period of time.
My school, a Pre K - 8th grade school, is one of the highest poverty schools in my school district.
I teach science to fifth and sixth graders. My students participate in a variety of student-centered hands-on activities. Too many of my students are at risk of performing below grade level across subject areas. I am committed to closing the achievement gap for my students. To accomplish this, I offer students an enriched learning environment by integrating science into other subject areas and teaching students to use digital tools to enhance their science learning. My students benefit from using toys to learn science. This project will help me build upon a unit in which students use K'NEX building toys to construct vehicles and then use those vehicles to explore force and motion concepts.
My Project
I am requesting funds to purchase 6 dot cars. These cars record time and distance data as they move. Data is recorded mechanically by making an ink dot on paper at regular intervals. I know if my fifth graders use this "toy" to learn how to measure the motion of an object based on the distance it will travel in a certain amount of time, they will master important state standards related to force and motion.
I learned about this teaching tool at a workshop for teachers. Once I used the dot car to deepen my understanding of acceleration, I knew I had to use dot cars with my students. Dot cars are a system that reliably lay down a mark consistent with time intervals. My students will use these dot cars in labs, collect data, and then create lab reports that include data tables and graphs. Now that is STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in action! Imagine fifth graders in a high poverty school participating in that type of learning!
It is not hard for me to imagine because I tell my students frequently that they are worth it.
I just need the resources to continue to make it happen. Yes, I spend a significant amount of my personal funds to make learning come alive for my students, but I also know that I can count on donors like you to help. Zoom, zoom, let's make physical science meaningful for my fifth graders. Like, I always tell my students, they are worth it.
More than three‑quarters of 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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