We are a community of learners with many strengths and needs. Many of us are reading and problem solving below grade level and many live in homes where the family spends most of the income on rent in order to live in a good school district.
My students are solution oriented kids who strive to succeed, and they come up with creative solutions to societal issues.
When I mentioned alternative seating, they immediately went to searching for alternatives to the box desks we currently have and came up with all kinds of options. They are resourceful and are working on building good habits as we spend time in class discussing nutrition and hydration.
My Project
Another class in our hall uses yoga balls as chairs and students asked me if they could, too. My fairly standard response was, "I'm open to considering it if you can make a case." They did. They started with, "I want to" which I quickly explained is not a valid reason for changing furniture so they began to think of ways they can get what they want. The result was phenomenal.
The next day, kids came in with facts about yoga balls improving posture and decreasing student disruptions.
Several students brought in articles printed out with portions highlighted where teachers reported more compliance with procedures and routines. (They knew I'd like that one.)
The students did exactly what I want them to be able to do -- identify issues they care about, figure out if it truly is worth their energy, gather research about their topic, and make a case to the individual (or organization) that can either approve or deny their proposal. Now you can help make their vision come true!
More than a third of 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. Roberts and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
