I teach first grade at a year-round, low-income and 98% minority school in NC. Every student in our school receives free or reduced breakfast and lunch. We are experiencing major budget cuts in NC and we do not have money for extras such as materials for hands-on explorations and targeted learning skills. Research shows that hands-on activities are critical for students who struggle academically or behaviorally. My students need the socialization and academic skills that are lacking in many children who are economically deprived.
My students need academically stimulating activities that build on what I am teaching them during direct instruction. Their diverse learning styles need active learning opportunities. I have a 90 minute daily math block, where I teach a skill or concept directly, and then we go to learning centers where they practice the skills taught independently while I pull small groups for more explicit instruction. These centers must be engaging and meaningful for my students, with opportunities to explore all five strands of mathematics.
Numbers and Operations, Geometry, Measurement, Data Analysis and Probability, and Algebra skills can easily be learned while working with the resources requested. The kits are fun and colorful but require thought and practice to master the concepts. Making each kit item open-ended enables each student to explore and develop as far as they want individually. My students will have so much fun they will not realize they are learning and I will be able to work with small groups of students to ensure their understanding of mathematical skills.
I would absolutely love to have these resources to help my students develop the skills and essential concepts they need for each of the five strands of math. By helping my class with these items, you will empower their minds to grow and reach further than ever before. Please make this possible for my students.
Nearly all 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 Mrs. DAlessandro and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
