Many people say my 6th graders are challenging, full of energy, and loud. These characteristics describe kids who come from rough backgrounds with no food or heat at home. Some go "home" each day not knowing where they will sleep or if they will see their parents at all. Many of my kids have one or more parents serving time in jail; others live with babysitters throughout the week and only see their parents on the weekends because they work out of town. These circumstances can lead a kid to behave or act a little differently than what people outside of the educational world expects.
My kids at our school are the most spirited, artistic, imaginative, smart and caring kids that I've come across in my 15 years of teaching.
We are a high poverty district filled with students full of amazing abilities that just need the tools and opportunities to prove themselves.
My Project
Coming from such difficult backgrounds and generational poverty causes a kid to problem-solve a little differently. Sitting still is not always possible. Focusing for long periods of time is challenging for any student, no matter the background. My kids would greatly benefit from wobble chairs and more Chromebooks! I have 28 students in each class and only have 25 Chromebooks. I need 3 more Chromebooks so that all of my kids in each block will be able to participate in the learning activities each day.
Their nervous energy, anxiety, or even just being fidgety sometimes does not allow them to focus on another task while waiting for their turn.
The wobble chairs will allow my students to work out their energy and focus on their tasks. It's amazing to see a kid in the learning zone when their needs are all provided for.
I see my kids in the future. They are so much more than their backgrounds. Having the right tools in the classroom to enable them to reach their goals is not only possible with your help, but necessary for their education.
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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. Bulhoes and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
