Tricky Teachers use Science to Get Students Reading
My students need engaging science materials. Sets of books, coats crochet, fossils, rocks, a small easel, and string for science related art will allow research and learning to happen.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Ekins's classroom raised $1,170
This project is fully funded
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
So much educational focus is on reading and math, and many students haven't been exposed to science until now, fourth grade! The kids adore science and I want to provide my students with the information they crave, while incorporating reading strategies and presentation speaking skills.
I am a first-year, fourth grade teacher in a Title I school.
That means my students come from low socioeconomic households.
65% of my students are English Language Learners. Despite these challenges, my students come to school each day eager to learn and take charge of their education. I believe in empowering my students and giving them thrilling and motivating educational experiences that simultaneously improve their math, writing, reading, science and social studies skills.
My Project
When it comes to teaching science, my philosophy is that the students will learn and retain information if they read about it, write about it, create their own understanding, and have a real purpose for their research. The best part? They have a blast because they are learning science.
The book sets match Utah's Science Common Core State Standards perfectly. They will give each table access to quality, visually appealing, informational text. The students will learn informational text comprehension strategies to study the information in the text. Presenting and sharing their information makes the research they do purposeful and real. The easel is necessary for speaking presentations as well as some whole-class teaching. Coats crochet thread is necessary for a BIG TIME string art project they will complete about their topic of study. Instead of drawing about their topic, they will create it with string and nails. Science is engaging and combining art with it is a dream come true!
The majority of my students have come to my classroom severely below grade level in reading and do not speak English as their first language.
Science text is much more difficult to read and understand than narrative text. The students need explicit instruction about informational text reading (i.e. table of contents, indexes, diagrams, maps, glossaries, etc.). Then, they need to read, do authentic writing, and create things about the science standards they love and need to learn about.
More than three‑quarters 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
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 Ms. Ekins and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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