I teach 7th grade in a neighborhood school with a growing ELL (English Language Learning) population. As we have started rolling out technology to the classroom, the result has been productive and has engaged students.
Technology has allowed more student interaction and created a challenging and stimulating learning environment.
It is my goal that all students feel safe and comfortable to learn and grow as young adults. My students are highly motivated and self-directed. As their teacher, I am proud of their creative thinking and want to provide the tools that they need to develop into life-long learners.
My Project
History is more than dates, war, and religion. When we study medieval African history, I want my students to experience the rich traditions of music and story that defines the oral traditions of Ghana. Currently, we use our desks to take a Djembe drumming lesson. I would love to show them a real Djembe drum. I would love to have them connect the many imaginative rhythm instruments such as the rasp and slider with the people who created the colorful community. I particularly think they would be surprised by the goat toenail rattle. I am hoping to inspire them when they see the bottle cap fork and bell how people can make magic with a little creativity.
In 7th grade social studies, we are fortunate to cover diverse regions of the world.
From the Middle East to Africa, my classroom is not just lectures and note-taking. Sometimes it is my students first exposure to these cultures. I want to encourage our students to consider the whole community including arts and achievements. Music can teach children that problems can have more than one solution and that questions can have more than one answer.
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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 Ms. Garrahan and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
