Do you remember what learning to write cursive was like? Tedious! My students have various learning disabilities. They prefer to write in pencil because the learning process can be tedious.
My students are excited to learn about American history.
They ask me thousands of questions and seem to soak up knowledge. They are in the lowest track at our school. People often ask me if they are the "throw-aways", to which I respond, "NO!" They come to me with various disabilities and numerous familial issues. Learning is a tedious and often difficult day-by-day process. I believe they can learn and do learn every day. Parent of my students are often unreachable as they work night shifts, long hours and often have disabilities of their own.
My Project
A simple item like a pencil is often hard to come by for my students. It involves finding a ride or walking to the store. It involves asking their parents for money, money they may not have. Due to their disabilities, they prefer to write in pencil so they can constantly erase. With new pencils, erasers and a sharpener we will be able to create a plan to save West Berlin from Stalin, write essays about the causes and effects of the Great Depression and write a peace treaty for the end of World War II. Student achievement will increase in all of these activities and more with sharp pencils and lots of erasers!
The idea of giving my students a small gift from generous citizens is truly an American history lesson in itself.
Throughout our study of history we look at different characters, characters who helped others and talk about how we can relate the way they lived their life to the way we want to live ours. We discuss reformers like Martin Luther King, Dorothea Dix and Florence Nightingale. People are good and caring!
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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. Paquette and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.