What would be the best way to describe my students? My students come from a variety of different lifestyles. My district pulls from nine different zip codes, which range from upper middle class to significantly below the poverty line. Currently 83% of my students are on free and reduced lunch. Sadly 47% of them report homelessness this year. I have students who range from 13 to 15 years old who have been put in very adult situations and roles. My students are all 8th graders, but when tested, my students range from a 1st grade level of understanding, all the way up to a 10th level of understanding.
With all of their economic and personal hardships, my students are a true bright light in my day.
They come in to school and have such a positive attitude about life and getting through the day. They truly amaze me. They are funny and smart and not letting their struggles hold them back in life. I enjoy the 85 minutes I get to spend with each one of them every single day.
My Project
Growing up, students not having school supplies was such a foreign concept to me. School supplies were something that you bought every August, typically the week before school started, and that you continued to replenish throughout the school year.
Unfortunately, many of my students come to school at the beginning of the school year through the entire year and lack any of the basic supplies needed for the classroom.
Paper, pencils, post-it notes... none of it seems like a hard request for students to have in their possessions on a day-to-day basis, but sadly, approximately 60% of my students come to class unprepared. We use paper and pencils every single day of our 180 days of school. We use Post-It Notes as entrance and exit slips at least 3 times a week. When a student comes without supplies, it causes disruptions and hinders the class from starting and moving forward in our 85 minutes together.
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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