My students need books that will inspire them to engage in hands-on experiments and projects so they can put the STEAM principles they're learning at school into practice at home.
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
The students who visit my library range from military kids who have traveled widely and had many cultural experiences to poverty-stricken children who have never been more than fifteen miles from home. I have as many special education students as gifted and talented students, and they are involved in a variety of school activities including chorus, step club, sports, and drama.
Each student has unique interests and abilities to develop and share, so I want to give them all an opportunity to shine in front of their peers.
One way I do that is by providing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) learning centers that are developed and led by students. They are encouraged to share their findings and creations with one another, and to collaborate for better results.
I'm also building a library book collection that allows each child to explore his or her interests while learning about the world beyond our town. I have some students reading on a first grade level, while others are already reading middle school novels. My funding has been severely cut the last two years, so I'm turning to Donor's Choose to provide the resources this diverse group of students needs and deserves.
My Project
My students have embraced the maker movement in my library, and many of my makerspace centers incorporate interactive projects that emphasize STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) concepts. We use math manipulatives, simple building materials, art supplies, and science kits to put theory into practice. Students have the opportunity and guidance to engage in active learning when they're with me each week, but what happens after they leave the library?
Your support of this project will provide additional STEAM instructional books for our library collection so students can continue the hands-on learning at home.
When students practice sequencing and symmetry with origami projects, they want to check out origami books so they can do more paper folding at home. When they plan and build catapults using popsicle sticks and rubber bands to see which design throws a marshmallow the furthest, they want books that show them how to build and test other contraptions after school. When they explore patterns and tessellations through zentangle doodling, they clamor for step-by-step drawing books to practice in their spare time.
Currently I can't fill the high demand for how-to books that correspond to our makerspace themes, but with your help more kids will have access to the resources they need to experiment with STEAM projects after the school day ends! These books will engage students in creative thinking and hands-on learning activities, helping to develop the next generation of scientists, artists, and engineers.
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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. June and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
