One of my goals for my students is to help them develop a love of learning. Often, my students engage in great discussions in which many questions arise. They get excited about searching for the answers themselves, rather than being told by me; this helps them retain the knowledge they acquire.
My school is incredible!
We have amazing teachers and the most wonderful, inquisitive students. We are a charter school with limited funds. Our student population has a moderate percentage of poverty. The students are highly successful without many of the materials and the technology that most other schools have. The students work hard and rarely complain. We make the best of what we have and focus on the important aspects of learning. I would love to be able to offer my students access to technology in the classroom. The students have so many questions about our studies, and I encourage them to research some of the answers themselves. The practice of seeking the answers, engages them further and promotes a sense of self-worth and accomplishment.
My Project
I use maps to help illustrate the lessons that I teach to my students nearly everyday. While explaining historical events, I help my students make connections with the ways in which geography has influenced human history. These large wall maps will make it easier for all of my students to see more clearly and enable them to visualize the concepts that I am teaching. Each day, my students complete a warm-up exercise called the Daily Geography Review or DGR. Students are required to copy the geography question of the day into their notebooks. Then, students are supposed to use any and all classroom resources to find the answer.
I have found that when students discover answers for themselves, it gives them both a sense of achievement and accomplishment and also contributes to a lasting memory.
The maps that I am requesting will add to my classroom resources and will aid in this self-discovery. In my Social Studies classes I teach World History and U.S. History, so these maps will make a perfect addition to my classroom tools. These wall-size maps include a world relief map and a complete map of the United States.
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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. Mazei and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.