My students are enthusiastic first graders working hard to excel against the odds. Eighty percent of my students receive a free lunch due to their families’ low economic status, and many come from unstable homes and are coping with trauma. Fifteen percent have been identified with learning disabilities and at least 3 other students are coping with AD/HD.
Despite these challenges, they bring a positive outlook to the class and are always looking to do their best and be a part of the classroom community.
Since 55 percent speak a language other than English, and, at the ages of five, six, and seven, all children are learning academic English. The children benefit greatly from lessons that enrich their vocabulary with visual images and a great deal of physical activity. This group particularly loves to have singing, movement, and dance woven into each lesson and activity.
My Project
My students are always hungry to the point where they can't concentrate and/or learn without a snack before lunchtime. I provide snacks for the class every day before recess, however, I am very conscious of how wasteful food packaging is and I want to model using the conservationist practices that I teach my students.
The bulk foods I'd like to purchase will provide the students with just enough to keep their hunger at bay so they can focus on learning.
I chose snacks that are lower in sugar, come in bulkier sizes (less packaging) and are easy to store and pass out. I also tried to choose products that come in recyclable and compostable packages.
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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. Chan Blackburn and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.