My special education students are unique because they learn in different ways. They are energetic and excited to be in school. They sometimes struggle in class, which is why they qualify for special education. In my classroom, I try to make learning fun. Seeing kids smile when they learn is very rewarding.
Some children learn better with hands-on activities.
I like to design activities that allow kids to be active. If their bodies are moving, more blood flows to the brain, and learning is stimulated.
My Project
This item will make a difference in student's lives by giving them a chance to be teachers. It will be used by students during hands-on activities outside of class and in the community. Our students volunteer to teach history at local museums and historic sites, but now we want them to ramp it up!
We want our kids to be teachers of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) as well as history.
They will use the requested item to explore and share STEM ballistic concepts as they existed during the Civil War and today. They know that the military financed an explosion (pun intended) of STEM research and development, so this project will help them dig deeper into those advancements and better understand today's world.
Students will use a Civil War limber box with range chart to calculate the ballistics of Civil War artillery projectiles. They will examine relevant scientific advancements and use contemporary mathematical formulas to calculate the final ballistic conditions of projectiles which includes distance, time of flight, angles, and velocity. We will investigate the different engineering and technological variables associated with ballistics. We will measure and weigh actual cannon balls and projectiles to aid our calculations. Students will master these concepts well enough to teach them to others at volunteer opportunities in the community.
This project will also promote racial tolerance because the type of item was historically used by the famous Buffalo Soldiers, who were in our state. Those soldiers were discriminated against, yet they were some of the bravest warriors in American history. Our school has recently had an increase in refugees from Africa and the Middle East so we so will make connections between the intolerance of the Buffalo Soldiers and new Americans.
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 Mr. Bolda and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.