My students need a tangible connection to the real world. Each day they interact with a world that is big, broad, and bewildering. STEM kits like these help connect the real world to their academic life.
I teach students K-5 with special needs. There is a wide variety of abilities, ages, and backgrounds. Our class is unique in that every student has a curriculum molded to their needs. For example, we have a life skills lesson each day, and each students is working at different levels.
My students are hard working, adventurous, and hilarious and consistency, routine, and schedules rule our classroom.
These students have a passion for life and because it takes them longer than the typical student to master a skill, it means so much to them when they do.
My Project
This demographic of students see the world in a different way. A new set of eyes on this world may be just what we need. STEM learning is a big push in schools around the world right now. My school in a magnet for science and place based learning. These STEM materials provide a new opportunity for my to experience problem solving and critical thinking, in a stimulating, tangible, and engaging way.
When students are able to discover answers for themselves and solve problems independently, self-esteem and academics flourish.
The activities in this project take timeless fairy tales and challenge students to use critical thinking skills to solve problems using well know characters, ideas, and themes. These can be parted with lessons about main ideas, motive, morals, character traits and more to create a cohesive curriculum. Studies also show that students with delays benefit from building with different materials and constructing unique designs.
STEM materials and projects within the classroom encourage independence. With this group of students fear plays a big part in being confident in their skills. These materials will encourage discovery and foster that independence they need by engaging their creativity, problem solving, and critical thinking skills into everyday learning.
Nearly all 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
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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. McReynolds and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
