Help me give my students a compressor, work table, nailer kit, stapler, drill bits, and other tools they need to extend their mathematical understanding by addressing global issues in our community.
My students are enrolled in either a dual enrollment Pre Calculus course through a local university, or they are designing and implementing service learning projects. Both courses implement an inquiry model that requires a significant amount of group communication and collaboration.
My math students come from a variety of backgrounds, including first in families to attend college.
For many students, this is the first time they have encountered an inquiry model in the mathematics classroom. This model provides students with interesting problems that have multiple paths to solutions. They then work together to tackle the problem and find a solution. They have digital tools, like Chromebooks, that help keep them connected, but my classroom has limited resources like whiteboards and chart paper to help them brainstorm (which happens daily).
My service learning students are seniors who identify a global issue, research it, then find some way to address the issue. The Google Suite helps them connect and document progress, but brainstorming can be a challenge when strapped to a digital device. They have performed award winning work, and are in need of simple tools to help elevate their use of the design thinking process.
My Project
Last year, a group of my students addressed the issue of literacy by building little free libraries that were placed in low income areas. Another one of my groups addressed the issue of isolation and depression by helping residents build outdoor seating at a local public housing complex. Not only am do I use the compressor, work table, nailer kit, stapler, drill bits, and other tools with my classes, these tools are available to all students at my high school.
Algebra 2 students used the tools and materials to build model parabolas that highlighted the reflective properties of that shape.
It was a fiery experience! A group of 9th graders addressed the issue of food deserts by building small patio gardens for a public housing complex.
Ultimately, these tools will help my students and all students at my high school by providing opportunities to connect learning to the community around them.
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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. Wroblewski and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.