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
Do you remember what it was like to look up at the night sky as a kid and just marvel at what you saw? I bet you had so many questions. My 5th graders are just full of those same questions. I'd love to help them discover the answers and bring the night sky up close and personal with telescopes.
My 5th grade class is 96% low income in a Title 1 public elementary school.
We're a high needs school in a high needs community trying to make do with the little resources we have. In my class, I have 31 high energy students that are eager to learn when given the chance. They participate actively and are always asking questions about the world around them. Unfortunately though, we have a Science curriculum that does not have many hands-on options. My students learn about science through reading texts but I want to provide them with a more engaging class experience. I am working around the provided curriculum to make sure that Science leaves a lasting impression for every student.
My Project
Galileo. Right now, sadly my 5th graders do not have a clue who that is when they hear his name. We've talked about him and what he did but taking facts from a textbook is not the same thing as experiencing them first hand. The materials I'm requesting will allow all of the school's 5th grade students to take turns with the telescopes and use them at home overnight. The students can connect the pictures of the moon and stars from their book to the real deal. Extending their learning beyond the classroom so that it is meaningful to them and something they will remember in years to come is important. My goal is to inspire my students to become future scientists and to do that they must have the proper tools.
Science in a textbook does not leave the lasting memory that it should.
I remember every hands-on science experiment that I did way back when I was a student. The telescopes that I am asking for will forever impact the students and connect Science to the real world as it should be. It will also help bridge the school to home gap as the whole family will be able to enjoy the night sky with their children.
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 Ms. Rodriguez and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.