My students fill my classroom to the brim with insightful questions, thought-provoking comments, and innovative project ideas on a daily basis. I work tirelessly each and every day to keep up with their energy! What really impresses me is that all of my students opted to take 9th grade Physical Science and Algebra for two high school credits during their 8th grade year. They are on a mission, and it is my responsibility to keep the rigor high.
The focus in my classroom is hands-on, inquiry-based instruction to aid students in the development of their critical thinking skills.
Students need to leave my classroom high school ready.
Many of my students come from military families and have lived all over the country and even the world. As great as it sounds, moving frequently also has its own challenges that they work through during each move. I teach a diverse array of students, with about 35% receiving free or reduced lunch. There is a whole spectrum of demographic backgrounds and academic strengths. Half of my students are gifted, and all of them are relentless workers. They are endlessly appreciative of every hands-on lesson and project we do in my classroom.
My Project
My students learn and remember content at a much deeper level when they complete hands-on activities in my Physical Science class. In addition, conducting labs with advanced equipment helps them to become high school ready. When I began teaching in my classroom in August, lab supplies were in a critical shortage. As a result of the generous giving of others, I secured glassware, heating elements, and an elemental observation kit for my classroom. All my students need to round out our current materials is something to weigh chemicals with and something to secure glassware and thermometers during heating labs. That is where this project comes in.
My students will use digital scales and ring stands to complete inquiry-based activities in the following science units: Properties of Matter, Chemical Reactions, Solutions, and Energy.
Completing labs with these quality materials will allow them to develop lab safety skills to help them to succeed in high school and even college science courses! Not only will this benefit my students academically, it will also give them something to look forward to at school every day. There is a noticeable difference in student demeanor when my students know they are doing a lab in class that day! Thank you for reading about my classroom and looking at this project!
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 Mrs. Planz and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.