My students need a microscope, insect slide kits, a bug discovery kit, Bee-Bot robots, an iPad mini, bug counters, live caterpillar kits, and a STEM challenge kit as we bring insect discovery to life!
$1,345 goal
Hooray! This project is fully funded
Hooray! This project is fully funded
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
I teach transitional kindergarten and kindergarten at a high poverty Title I school. My classroom makeup consists of English Language Learners, students with both academic and physical special needs, and several students that do not have many opportunities.
I love being able to create a caring and respectful classroom community for my students and offering opportunities that show them all of their possibilities!
My favorite part of teaching is building a community in my classroom and creating learning adventures that get my students excited about learning, so that they cannot wait to come to school.
My Project
The premise: I (Detective Ekstrom) will greet students at the door and let them know that our Painted Lady Butterfly kit is missing! We have to all become detectives and work through investigations (centers) to gain clues to solve the Case of the Missing Caterpillars. These centers will focus on different areas of STEM. After they finish a center, they will earn a piece of the caterpillar life cycle. We will print out clip art pieces to hang on our whiteboard. Once they have earned all of the pieces, they will find a note that will lead them to the Painted Lady Butterfly kit. I will be dressed up with my detective fedora and badge and will add some crime scene tape throughout the classroom to really set the stage for engagement!
"Provide an uncommon experience for your students and they will reward you with an uncommon effort and attitude." - Dave Burgess
I am requesting materials for each of the insect-themed centers.
1. iPad mini- Students will research the life cycle of an insect. They will use the pic collage app to insert pictures of each stage of the lifecycle.
2. Microscope and insect slides- Students will use the microscope to view different insects.
3. Bee-Bot robots- I will print out pictures of the bumblebee life cycle (mixed in with other insects). Students will program their robot to follow the path of the bee life cycle.
4. STEM challenge kit- I will use insect models and the students will engineer a raft, parachute, and house to keep their insect safe.
5.Insect Instant Learning Center- students will sort insects by different attributes.
6. Bug counters- Students will solve addition and subtraction problems using bug counters.
I believe this engaging day will inspire students to want to continue learning about insects!
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 Ms. Ekstrom and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.