My students need STEM kits that will further their understanding of engineering concepts while also improving their reading, comprehension and cooperative skills.
Hello! My name is Morgan McKeeman and I am a first grade teacher at the same elementary school I attended. I absolutely love my firsties and our adventures together each day.
Our elementary school has a beautifully diverse population.
Each class has 19-21 students and typically has 5-6 English Language Learners (ELL) and 3-4 African American students. Over 60% of our students are considered "Economically Disadvantaged Students," which provides new challenges that our teachers must help these students overcome. Even with the challenges faced by our students and teachers, our school is consistently rated an "A" (highest possible rating) school which is quite an impressive achievement.
My Project
STEM has become an essential part of classroom curriculum. We begin preparing our students for possible careers in the STEM fields beginning in kindergarten. While science is easily taught in the classroom, engineering is one area that is more difficult to work on, especially with younger students. I find engineering to be a critical aspect of education becaus engineers help our society to function safely and effectively.
These STEM kits are special because they integrate reading and comprehension into each activity.
Folk tales are a huge focus in first grade and the STEM activities in one kit incorporates a folk tale that we will read together in class. Other kits focus on stories we will read in class. For example, we read "Three Billy Goats Gruff" so the students will create a safer bridge for the three billy goats to cross in order to avoid the troll. I have no doubt that every one of my current and future students will thoroughly enjoy these activities while improving their reading, comprehension, engineering and cooperative skills.
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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. McKeeman and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
