I am a K-5th grade physical education teacher in a diverse urban school district in snowy Minnesota. I teach over 400 very fun-loving, energetic, and enthusiastic students who deserve a creative and interactive physical education experience that isn't just focused around athletic ability. My students come from multiple cultural backgrounds (i.e. American Indian, LatinX, African American, Asian/Pacific Islander) and it is my goal to reflect these cultures in the project.
As a physical educator, I try to provide this creative experience within my gym and help my students find the fun in being active again, while also seeing themselves in the city.
This is the first year that our school has been considered a community school, which means all the students live in the neighborhood and some of their parents went to this school. We have had a lot of challenges due to a lack of funding to get our school started. I teach such an amazing group of students that really love being in the gym and being active. Building this city with your help and the help of the families at the school is just what these kids need after a long two years of learning from home.
My Project
Scooter city is a maximum activity, two-week unit in physical education where students use upper- and lower-body strength and endurance to explore and move around the city on their scooters (cars).
The coolest part is that the whole city is built and donated by various community members, including our families!
Some of the key features in the city are things that the students would see in their community daily, such as: a grocery store, farmer's market with the help of the "lets go shopping food baskets", diner with a kitchen full of various kitchenware (i.e. kid safe appliances and kitchen play set) as well multicultural play foods from all over the world, fire department, campground with ice fishing thanks to the magnetic fishing set and a my first telescope to help the kids see the sights, humane society and vet, used scooter dealership, flower shop, sports center, drive-in movie theater, library, music shop with a variety of instruments from various cultures (i.e. Japanese den den, Asian frog rasp), a yoga studio with the help of the peaceful kids classroom yoga set and so much more! We even have a construction zone where students can use their imaginations and utilize the many materials available, including: magna-tiles, jumbo cardboard blocks, hardwood blocks, marble runs, and learn how to hammer in a nail for the first time.
The best part is there is an ATM in the city and students run the city themselves. They would use the real working cash registers to collect money from students when they are purchasing things from the various stores just like a real city. The student workers even get a "paycheck" for working in the city. Students love traveling around the city and bringing the things they have purchased throughout the city with them.
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. Bruun and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
