My students need wooden Keva planks to engineer historical structures, simulate historical events, and make models of inventions that changed the world in Social Studies .
My students have had minimal exposure to social studies prior to my class, most from a textbook. They are excited to "do" history, not just study it. Reading levels range from kindergarten to college level, so hands-on projects are a great equalizer. They LOVE experiencing social studies hands-on!
Most students have had minimal exposure to STEM and social studies at the elementary level when they come to my classroom.
Our school is one of two certified STEM middle schools in Indiana. Though the S stands for "science", STEM is a perfect fit with our Indiana curriculum in sixth grade. Our social studies classroom is active and uses STEM almost every day. We do math, language arts, and science along with technology to learn history, geography, government, and economics! With large class sizes of 30-32 students (170 students per grade level), it takes a lot of materials to give each student a hands-on experience. STEM education gives students experience in STEM career fields and builds dreams of a college education. Our community is rural with 65% free or reduced lunch rate, so our students can really use the inspiration of STEM as they dream and set goals for the future.
My Project
Students would use Keva blocks weekly to practice math skills as explorer pirates designing trade routes for Hex Bugs, building Greek temples as engineers, recreating the technology of Roman aqueducts and roads, constructing defensive structures for castles, building World War trenches, or performing scientific experiments like Sir Isaac Newton. Students love working with these wooden planks, individually or in groups, and are able to demonstrate knowledge without a paper-pencil or computer test. The most exciting part is that Keva planks are reusable, zero waste, so the possibilities are endless and fit into every unit of study during the year.
Students would learn SO much more than just social studies content.
They would learn STEM skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, but more importantly, they would learn to collaborate and create, to reiterate and redo, to have "grit" and determination, to do projects and not just worksheets, those 21st century skills that they will need to be employable members of the workforce in their future.
More than half 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 Mrs. Catanzaro and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
