This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Imagine waking up and not knowing how many meals you will have that day, if any. Imagine having to get all of your siblings ready for school because your parent is either at work, or won't even get up at all. Imagine not being able to have the school supplies that you need because there just isn't enough money to take care of getting food and clothes for the family, let alone school supplies.
Waking up hungry and stressed out is what my students go through every single day of their lives...and they are only kids!
My students are 5th-7th graders who attend an inner city school in Illinois. They often come to school hungry, tired, and full of stress because they are often carrying out parenting duties at home.
I can have up to 13 students in my class for behaviorally and emotionally challenged students. Most of my students struggle with communication and anxiety, often using anger to solve their problems. While I do teach academics, my main focus in class is teaching appropriate social skills and how to function in society.
My Project
Over my 21 years of teaching, I have seen an increase in kids dealing with more and more trauma in their lives. It's very sad to see these children dealing with so much more than their growing minds and bodies can deal with. Often times, they lash out in rage because they are so stressed out over things going on outside of school.
In our class we have been reading the book "The Stars Beneath Our Feet" by David Barclay Moore.
In this book, the main character, Wallace is dealing with the recent death of his older brother, who got caught up with drug dealers and gangs. Wallace, who is a Lego lover, has been dealing with his grief by building a giant city with his Legos. It has been so therapeutic for him and he is able to use his sadness and anger and channel it into his building.
It is my hope that these materials will help my students channel their own anger and frustration into something positive. Not only can they use it as a stress reliever, but as they sit around a table with these toys, they will also be developing appropriate social skills that will be needed into adulthood. These Legos will be both therapeutic but social as well.
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. Williams and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
