My students need environmental science literature, as well as materials to grow, observe, and collect and communicate data on the effects of pollution on plant growth, such as an indoor garden kit, two scopes, and a set of presentation boards.
This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
My first grade classroom is filled with the college graduates of 2030. We embrace grit, integrity, curiosity, and zest. We work hard so that we can graduate high school, enroll in competitive colleges and universities, graduate college, and positively impact change in our community, Detroit.
My classroom is currently home to 27 tenacious first graders.
They call Detroit home and many of them have seen little outside of their own neighborhoods. Around 86 percent qualify for free and reduced lunch and 100 percent are black. Only 15 percent of my class came in on grade level in reading, and 19 percent in math. My school, a college preparatory school, is working diligently to provide its scholars with the quality education they deserve, one that will prepare them for college. All of my scholars are eager to tackle the rigors of first grade and they crave to know more about the world around them. Their parents are some of the hardest workers I know. Many work two jobs and/or the night shift and are still able to find time to volunteer in the classroom. We are a community dedicated to learning.
My Project
I am going to "teach for the planet" as my class dives deep into a study of how environmental factors affect plant growth. The study will run from February to June and will include five steps. In step one, scholars will research the plant cycle and pollution, and then make hypotheses about the effects of pollution on plant growth. In step two, they will run a two month experiment testing the effects of water, air, and soil pollution on plant growth. Twelve plants will be planted in the classroom: three control and three exposed to each type of pollution. For these steps, scholars will use magnifying glasses, microscopes, and PH strips to observe the twelve plants. In step three, scholars will create science journals outlining the experiment and their findings, and draw conclusions. In step four, scholars will research and create tri-fold poster presentations on ways to reduce pollution and will present them at our class's Environmental Fair held in May for parents and other scholars.
In the final step, scholars will take their findings to the greater Detroit community by developing a student-led community project in Detroit.
By supporting this project you will not only be providing my scholars with the tools to experience hands-on learning, but the opportunity to strengthen their Detroit community. This project directly connects classroom learning to community engagement, and will empower my scholars to be the change agents of Detroit.
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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. Paige and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
