My students need 7 different sets of enrichment science books, 3 sets of science flashcards, a weather and evolution DVD, a large display microscope, and a class set of owl pellets.
I teach 6th grade science in a high-need community where more than 87% of the students qualify for free and reduced lunch. Being such, our students face many challenges that make it harder for them to excel in school than their more affluent peers.
My students are coming into 6th grade at 1/3 the level they should be at, meaning we have a lot of ground to cover this year to catch them up to grade level. The 6th grade students need to have complete knowledge of their science curriculum in order to move on to 7th grade and to pass the state standardized test that they take in 8th grade.
My students have high interest and desire to learn science. I am so excited to foster their love of the subject, yet I am facing a unique difficulty of not being able to verbally communicate with many of them.
Many of my students are immigrants to the USA and cannot speak, read, or understand English. This communication barrier is hindering my ability to teach them and their ability to understand the material. The less they understand, the further behind they get from their peers. If left unattended, this cycle will continue until they are years behind in school and facing increased difficulty competing in the job market.
In order to combat this obstacle as soon as possible and help my students keep up with their peers, I need to have classes that utilize visuals along with vocabulary as much as possible.
We need DVDs with images that capture their attention while explaining the principles behind them. We also need a learning center specially focused on helping non-English speaking students learn science vocabulary and topics. In this learning center, students will be able to use picture flashcards to learn grade-level science material by quizzing themselves or each other. For the students with limited English-speaking capabilities, the center will have interesting science books to read for each unit so they can strengthen their language skills while learning science content along the way. Our class will culminate with owl pellet dissection so they can review concepts of anatomy, ecology, and evolution in a fun and interesting way.
You can help me transform my classroom and teaching so that my students don't fall behind. Your help can make it possible for my students to overcome their obstacles and learn all the topics they need to learn in 6th grade science. This support can ensure that my students pass onto the next grade, pass their state standardized test, and don't fall victim to our country's growing achievement gap.
You can make it possible for my students to achieve!
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
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. McCarty and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.