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.
Is there any better way to learn than by interacting with the material you're being taught?
I'm a 7th grade teacher of Language Arts and US History. We are a high-poverty school serving at-risk youth. My children come to school ready to learn, but are often set up for failure from day one. Without their basic school supply needs being met, they can't truly excel in their studies.
After completing my first year of teaching, I came to the realization that one of the biggest obstacles for my children was their lack of organization. Despite my best efforts, none of my strategies were working because at the end of the day, all of their papers and projects were shoved into a book bag abyss, never to be seen in one piece again.
When I stopped trying to frantically fix the organizing and stepped back to evaluate what was at the root of the problem, I realized that most of them came to school without a single supply. Empty book bags were the only evidence we were in a classroom. Most days, I lent out all of my pencils only to do it again the very next day.
This year, I'm using a strategy called "Interactive Notebooks." This strategy requires my kids to have a notebook, some colored pencils, pens and highlighters. I have tried to provide the construction paper, scissors and other needs. The purpose of these notebooks is to allow students to interact with the lesson in a way that makes sense to them, whether it be through art, song, or words. They get to nurse their creative side and become thoughtful readers and writers.
Unfortunately, despite my best efforts to pare down my supply list, over half of my students came to me letting me know their parent's could not afford the supplies for which i was asking.
With your donation, ensuring our students the ability to have the most basic supplies, together we will empower the next generation of readers, writers, and collegiate scholars.
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. Cole and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.