As a first grade teacher, a typical day is full of engaging activities, questions, answers, and learning about their world. A main focus of mine this year is teaching my students to have an appreciation for nature and incorporating conservation with a focus on saving the endangered butterflies.
I teach at a socioeconomically diverse school.
We have about 900 students in grades k-5. We have an exceptional staff that puts the needs of students first and foremost everyday. As our school day was recently extended, there was a strong focus in mathematics last year. This year, we are adopting a new literacy program so literacy will be a strong focus for the 2014-2015 school year. With math and literacy playing such a heavy role in our curriculum, we often implement science and social studies in a cross-curricular manner to further promote learning.
In regard to science, we have a 30-45 minute block to teach science 2, sometimes 3 days a week. We have a population of students that enjoy being outdoors and are eager to learn but have limited resources and they need more hands-on experiences to learn about science and nature. These students would benefit from learning and being educated about nature and the world around them because they are our future.
My Project
I recently attended the Monarch Teacher Workshop and learned all about the monarch species and how endangered they are. I have educated myself to teach students about this amazing creature and their incredible journey across North America. I have a plethora of ideas and cross-curricular activities to implement in my classroom about metamorphosis and conservation. However, I don't have the monarch literacy materials or supplies to create our own butterfly garden outside our classroom window.
We will begin by learning about monarchs through literature while raising caterpillars. We will learn about the butterflies all year long through our butterfly garden. We will learn about life cycles, planting, and their habitat by incorporating activities in literacy, math, social studies and science. We will also help conserve them by providing their need of milkweed in our garden. This will attract butterflies and provide learning opportunities all year long for the school and many years ahead.
My favorite quote is by a conservationist, Baba Dioum.
It says:
In the end we will preserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.
My goal is to teach my students ways to preserve, understand and love the world around them. By starting a butterfly garden and studying about the monarchs, I hope to spark a lifelong interest in science, nature and the world around them that will continue throughout their lives and for generations ahead.
More than a third 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
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Guevara and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
