I teach English Learners who come from many different countries. They are energetic and have a love of learning!
Many of my students have persevered through many obstacles but still come to school everyday with huge smiles.
They come to school knowing little to no English and enter classrooms bravely with strength and dignity. I am always amazed at how quickly they learn English and become a part of our learning community. They love school and I love being their teacher!
My Project
Over the past few years, the English Learners at my school have been creating a Cultural Quilt. Each new student to our school gets an opportunity to bring home a tote bag with a story book about a quilt, either in English or Spanish. We need book bags, markers, two copies of Eight Hands Round A Patchwork Alphabet, Design Your Own White Classroom Quilt. These resources will be used to create the take home bags and quilt.
My ESL students will enjoy the opportunity to share the stories about their country through the creation of a quilt square decorated with their families.
The students bring the bags home. Inside are directions in Spanish and English. Students read a story from the bag such as "Eight Hands Round" with their families about making quilts. They each create a unique square with their families showing interesting things about their cultures such as food, flags, family members, or birds and flowers from their countries.
When they return the bag to school, they proudly share their square in class. I take a picture of them holding their square for our Memory Book. The quilt square is attached to the growing quilt outside of our classroom so all of the school can see. We have reached the end of our original supplies and are in desperate need of more! This project is very popular and students cannot wait to share their quilt squares! These beautiful quilt squares have left a lasting impression on our school and I want to continue the tradition.
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 Ms. Clarke and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.