The cost of the Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus Graphing Tool for Statistics and Finance is $1878, including shipping and <a target="new" href="http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm" onclick="g_openWindow('http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm', 300, 800, 'fulfillwindow');return false;">fulfillment</a>.
With the ever-changing world before us and the influx of new students everyday due to Katrina, the job of being a teacher has become more and more challenging. Class sizes have exploded, teaching duties have become infinite, and the state curriculum has become more and more demanding.
Part of my job is to teach Algebra I to eighth graders at Dutchtown Middle School for a high school credit. My curriculum states that I have to teach certain skills "with and without graphing calculators". I do not have graphing calculators. Only a few of my students are able to purchase them, but the majority can not afford them. We are in an age of technology, and the graphing calculators would definitely be an asset. I managed to borrow 8 calculators for a short time for my class of 30 students. They huddled 3 or 4 to a calculator and made the best of a challenging situation. We would work on a particular skill by hand first, then we would work with the graphing calculator. They were amazed! Before long, they would make other discoveries while working with the calculator that would aid them in other situations. They loved it! I could just see the "wheels" turning!
Teaching my students how and when to use the graphing calculators would definitely prepare them for other high school and college courses as well as fulfill the requirements of the state comprehensive curriculum for Algebra I. The TI-83 or TI-84 are the most user-friendly graphing calculators. Having a class set of 30 or 15 would allow my students to investigate, discover, and be creative as they are challenged with the numerous expectations of the state curriculum.
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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. Louque and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.