This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Have you ever walked around looking for your glasses only to find them on your head? I have, and I know a system for organizing always leads me to be more successful. Pocket chair organizers, pencil cases, and daily schedule information pocket charts will allow our entire class to succeed.
The majority of my students live below the poverty level.
I use every resource available to me to insure they have the pencils, notebooks, glue sticks, and other classroom supplies needed to be completely involved in the classroom experience. Last year we began our school year with 36 students on my class roster. By November, 3 students had moved, and 7 desks had fallen apart. It is difficult to maintain the message that we are worthy of a proper learning environment and education when the infrastructure of our building and district is in such disrepair. The silver lining is learning new vocabulary words, like resilience, eclectic design, and ingenuity! Because we lack a nice desk for everyone, it can lead to jealousy instead of comraderie. We have learned how to adapt and adjust to disappearing resources. The kids crave some continuity in their classroom. I know organization will give a sense of ownerships to my kids. Success comes from having what you need, and having it ready to go!
My Project
"A sharpened pencil writes better ideas," I was told this by a former 2nd grade student. He talked about how it feels better as it glides across the page. I know this feeling, as minor as it seems, the sharp point allowed him to enjoy the process. We struggled all last year with supplies that literally fell apart! If we are granted the tools to help organize I know my kids will keep our classroom tools ready to use. Time management is essential in a classroom, and a minute wasted to find a pencil is a minute not involved in learning. The day may feel long to a student, but as a teacher the minutes, hours, and days fly by in the blink of an eye. Many years ago when I was in school I was a bartender at night, and the mantra was "a place for everything and everything in its place". It kept the bar running smoothly regardless of who was running it. The right tools lead to a classroom that runs efficiently. When a child loses that sense of being "without" it allows them to relax and engage
I am sure you have heard, "don't sweat the small stuff", but in an elementary school classroom the small stuff can create stumbling blocks to learning.
With your generosity we will be able to add systems and routines that will make preparing for, participating in, and applying what we learn in school a valuable experience. I know instilling in a child a system for organizing their supplies is a segue to organizing thoughts. Both methods are life skills I hope you will find worthy of investment.
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. Kagen and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
