Help me give my students a variety of model kits for the opportunity to learn with their hands by building models that have represented the human spirit and examples of technological advancement from all over the world.
My students come from all over the United States. They can be male or female, gay or straight, black, white, Hispanic or Asian. They all come to my classroom and have always been welcome. Some kids are from big cities, but some are from small farming communities. It has always been an ethnically diverse student classroom.
I already know my students have baggage; they may come from a troubled past, show a lack of maturity or be unable to handle adversity.
They could be mentally ill and now need professional help. Many are emotionally unstable but can be smart enough that they will surprise you by being 7 credits from having their high school diploma while others can only read at a grade school level. That is my classroom.
I have taught in this setting as a dual licensed Special Education teacher (Social Studies) for a number of years, teaching and mentoring a never ending supply of kids who need the help. Students are enrolled as full time students with an opportunity to earn class credit toward an Indiana high school degree or high school degree from their home state.
My Project
Along with traditional learning in the classroom, students will get to experience different ways to learn United States history with the model kits in this project. Combining video-based lessons, computer-based learning and now this hands-on opportunity to make history come alive, kids will have an opportunity to make US History their favorite class.
Each project will be graded and counted as extra credit.
In the end, their efforts will be on display throughout the classroom. The models they create will provide something they can call their own and, ultimately, take home with them if they wish.
The benefits will be many. Students will increase self-esteem, learn how to focus, relax their minds, and increase their awareness. They may have a partner in their project, and from creating together, they'll learn how to compromise, take direction and work together. They get to work at their pace in a supervised setting with a mix of encouragement and lesson reinforcement. Ultimately, we're looking to create good focus in the classroom and, of course, a better understanding of the material.
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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 Mr. Earl and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
