My students will need 1 eyeball per 2 to 3 students to dissect, latex free exam gloves (latex free because of allergies) to protect their hands while they dissect, dissection pans, ziplock bags to store the eyes so we can carry the experiment over 2 days, safety goggles, clear cups to store tools and observe the eyes before dissection and a butterfly kit so they can grow painted lady butterflys from caterpillars.
As a first year (slightly overwhelmed, but extremely excited) teacher, I need your help to bring science to life for my sweet students. I teach 5 classes of 6th grade science to naturally curious 11 and 12 (and a couple of 13) year old students. This year, our school is bursting at the seams! We have added over 100 new students and 4 science classes-about 110 of them are in my care. Science is one of the most expensive subjects to teach because of all of the hands on experiences I want to give my students. As a mother of 3 boys, I know how important education is and I see each of my students as someone's child left in my care. Science is an awesome subject (generally, one of the kiddos favorite), but it is also one of the most expensive subjects if taught correctly. The reason it is so costly is because of all of the consumable goods my students need for hands-on learning.
In Arkansas, every child (special Ed, 504) comes to science class - as they should. This presents me with an awesome opportunity to teach every learning level. I have students who are hearing impaired, non-verbal, ADHD, have Tourette's and other obstacles. My goal and responsibility is to reach every child every day of every class. Without the awarding of this wonderful grant, my children will not be able to have this dissection & life science experience. My sweet scholars may not be able to hear every word I say but they can certainly gain valuable knowledge by having hands-on experiences. Our life science unit will come to life if they will be able to complete a dissection and care for the painted lady butterflies.
Because cooperative learning will enhance my special education students as well as my general education students, I plan to have 2 to 3 students at my dissection stations. Instead of just looking at pictures of the structures of eyes, the children will be able to see it first hand. Cow eyes are very closely related to the human eye, so we will discuss the similarities and differences. I also want to teach complete and incomplete metamorphosis in our life science unit. My scientists are very curious and love to observe our little fish tank. With the awarding of this grant, metamorphosis will literally come to life with the butterfly kit. It will also teach them life-long skills such as care for creatures and working with others. In order for the dissection experience to be complete, we will also need clear cups (for observation before the dissection), gloves (to protect little hands), goggles (to protect little eyes-I currently do not have any goggles for experiments), pans (to keep the rolley polley eyes in place) and Ziploc bags to carry the experiment over a 2 to 3 day period.
Although you may not be able to see your generosity touch each child, you will enable a learning experience that these children have never had. You will enable these little "scientists" to participate in an inquiry based exploration of life science. Not only will your help make it possible for me to teach the required learning expectations, but also valuable skills they will take with them into the real world. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts (and cow eyeballs :))
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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. H. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.