Our classroom is a place of challenge and discovery! We live in one of the most impoverished counties in California which has been further impacted by multiple wildfires over the past four years. However hazy and ash filled our skies might become, our dreams and determination to achieve a brighter future are undimmed.
While our little town is both friendly and remarkably beautiful, many families struggle financially.
At our very small, rural, Title I school, all of our students participate in both the free lunch and free breakfast programs. We also offer a reduced cost after school enrichment program. The wonderful first to fifth grade students who visit my reading intervention classroom work diligently to sharpen their reading and writing skills. They eagerly strive to move forward in their academic careers.
My Project
Many reluctant writers tend to become so tense during a class period that little or nothing ends up on their page. However, after 30 years in education, I've learned that observing and writing about nature often frees a reluctant writer to create a remarkable story or essay. Sitting beneath one of our ancient campus oaks, a child with a busy mind can finally slow down. Students seem to literally melt into the grass as they breathe, relax, and refocus. Students begin to engage their senses of sight, sound, smell, and touch to make observations and connections with the natural environment.
As Clare Walker Leslie wrote, "Many people find that in learning about the natural world, they learn more about themselves." The differences in student observations always comes as a delightful surprise.
Students notice so many things. While one student might begin drawing and labeling a map of the campus garden, another will select to describe the antenna of a Luna moth down to the smallest detail. A third student will be delightedly taping a sprig of peppermint into his journal and planning to write about the plants which grow in his grandmother's garden while a fourth student pens a poem describing the the manner in which the sunlight is falling upon her best friend's red hair. No matter what the child's skill level may be, his or her connection to the natural environment can trigger self-expression and promote creativity.
Your donation will inspire children and ignite their adventurous spirits. Students will investigate, explore, and record keep as they write in their own journals. As they discover that they truly can write well, students become more expressive, open-minded, kind spirited toward those who are still struggling, and respectful of differing ability levels. Thank you for considering our project and supporting us!
ColorIt Refillable Watercolor Brush Pens Set - 24 Colors with Flexible Real Brush Tips and Bonus Travel Case - Artist Quality Paint Markers for Adult Coloring Books, Painting, Calligraphy
• Amazon Business
$29.99
4
$119.96
Medieval Renaissance Handmade Leather Diary Journal Thought Book by Armory Replicas
• Amazon Business
$6.40
9
$57.60
Arteza Real Brush Pens, 48 Colors for Watercolor Painting with Flexible Nylon Brush Tips, Paint Markers for Coloring, Calligraphy and Drawing with Water Brush for Artists and Beginner Painters
• Amazon Business
$36.98
1
$36.98
Journal Planner Pens Colored Pens Fine Point Markers Fine Tip Drawing Pens Porous Fineliner Pen for Bullet Journaling Writing Note Taking Calendar Agenda Coloring Art Office Supplies, 18 Colors
• Amazon Business
$6.78
5
$33.90
Materials cost
$248.44
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$22.73
3rd party payment processing fee
$3.73
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$304.90
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$53.81
Total project goal
$358.71
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$358.71
2 Donors
-$358.71
Donations toward project cost
-$304.90
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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. Abordo and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
