My students need fidget toys to to support their focus and classroom learning, and educational puzzles to support problem solving, collaboration, and brain development.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Freeman's classroom raised $243
This project is fully funded
My Students
In my classroom, students apply scientific knowledge to problems facing society today. The class is called Issues in Science For Leaders. When students graduate, they will have the tools they need to make informed decisions in the face of vast amounts of scientific information and misinformation.
My students are high school seniors.
They are transitioning from a small high school to a larger world. Many will go on to 2 or 4 year college. Some will become leaders in their communities. Most will not pursue science careers.
In today's world, it isn't the scientists who make decisions that affect our everyday lives. It is the politicians, business leaders, news reporters, consumers, parents--us! We have access to more information and technology now than we have ever had before. My students will make their own decisions about whether to eat genetically modified food, vaccinate their children, use performance enhancing drugs, take a genetic test, purchase sustainable goods, and choose whether to take action to mitigate the effects of climate change.
My students are mainly black and Latino and attend a high poverty urban public school. They are optimistic about the future. They want to understand the science that will give them power to make the best decisions for their lives.
My Project
It is my job to make science relevant. I want to help students understand that science is not a body of facts, it is a way of knowing about the world. I want students to feel comfortable looking at new scientific information and evaluating it alongside what they already know.
Before you can make evaluations and problem solve, you need a body of knowledge. I seek to engage students in learning and understanding a great deal of relevant scientific information. As such, I must recognize that students have different learning needs and styles. Fidget toys/ stress balls allow students to make decisions about what they need to focus successfully. Being able to occupy your hands helps many concentrate on a flood of new information or eliminate external stress.
Educational puzzles are also important during breaks in academics or downtime after an exam. Puzzles allow students to use their brains and problem solving skills as they build supportive relationships with their peers and with me.
When I was in college, I used to knit during lectures where I didn't need to take notes.
I wanted to stay alert in class, but I had to keep my hands moving so my mind wouldn't wander. My professor gave me dirty looks. He thought I was distracted.
Your donation will support a new body of research and experience, which shows that using fidget toys and puzzles in the classroom refocuses student attention to class topic material to create a productive, focused, collaborative, classroom environment.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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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. Freeman and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
