This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
In our present times, the expectations that I have for my students are higher than ever before due to the implementation of the Common Core Standards. Instruction is rigorous. I am proud to say that they are putting forth so much effort and are also behaving very well with me and with their peers.
I am the Social Studies teacher in my school.
My school has grades Pre-K through five. I teach all 5th grade students, which is about 180 students. The vast majority of my students are respectful, hardworking and eager to learn. Most of my students' families are receiving public assistance or their parents' have working class jobs for minimum pay. The majority of my students live in a household in which their parents are struggling to provide the basic needs for their children such as food, clothing, shelter, and water. Many of my students' parents cannot even afford basic school supplies, which is why teachers usually have to supply their students with these basic supplies.
Although my students love all variations of Smencils, the children in my school cannot afford these scented pencils. For my students the idea of owning a Smencils is a luxury.
My Project
I would like these Smencils so that I can reward those students that always do what is required and/or go above what is required of them. For example, for those students that do things like doing extra credit assignments, help their classmates, always obeying classroom procedures and rules, etc. I would like these incentives, because not only are they a tool for learning, but they would be a great reward for a job well done.
Additionally, I would distribute Spring, Graduation, Sport and Holiday Smencils during those special times of the year or students' interest.
There are many students that are interested in Sports and the Sports Smencils would appeal more to these children. The Graduation Smencils, I would like to give to all of the students that graduate in 2016 as a present from me. The variety of Smencils would keep students always excited about earning a Smencil, because they would be different Smencils according to the time of the year.
I know that Smencils are just pencils, but for my students they're the greatest thing.
The system I have used to give out Smencils in the past is that I give raffle tickets to students that are on-task, follow class rules or help their classmates. At the end of the class session, I will randomly select about four raffle tickets. Those students selected will be able to chose a Smencil. They go bananas for these prizes and are so grateful too.
More than three‑quarters 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
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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 Ms. Martinez and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
