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Ms. Porcu's Classroom Edit display name

  • PS 16 John J Driscoll
  • Staten Island, NY
  • 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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Using concrete materials and playing games is key to engagement in the classroom. Such materials also create a "safe" environment for students to take risk, explore, experiment and construct their own knowledge. With the new "Algebra for All" initiative in math, fifth grade has been identified as the "key" grade fro teaching foundational skills for algebra that are essential for success in high school algebra. Yet, my experience has been that many grade 5 students have negative attitudes toward math and enter grade 5 with weak math skills and many mathematical misconceptions. The purpose of my project is to provide my students with concrete materials and games to help them better understand fifth grade math standards and allow them to explore these standards in a fun, engaging way. I want my students to have fun with math and help them construct their own knowledge of mathematical principles by using concrete materials and playing games in an environment where they are encouraged to take risks. Many of my students are afraid to take "risks" in math for fear of being "wrong." Despite my encouragement to take risk, they remain hesitant to share their thoughts and ideas as they have been conditioned to believe that math is all about "having the right answer." Accordingly, I believe that providing them with an opportunity to play games and explore math topics with concrete materials would help reduce or eliminate this discomfort. We live in tough economic times and school budgets are extremely tight. Funding to purchase such materials just isn't available through school budgets, hence I am appealing to thoughtful donors, like you, who want to make a difference for children. I thank you in advance for your consideration and assure you that these materials will be put to good use.

About my class

Using concrete materials and playing games is key to engagement in the classroom. Such materials also create a "safe" environment for students to take risk, explore, experiment and construct their own knowledge. With the new "Algebra for All" initiative in math, fifth grade has been identified as the "key" grade fro teaching foundational skills for algebra that are essential for success in high school algebra. Yet, my experience has been that many grade 5 students have negative attitudes toward math and enter grade 5 with weak math skills and many mathematical misconceptions. The purpose of my project is to provide my students with concrete materials and games to help them better understand fifth grade math standards and allow them to explore these standards in a fun, engaging way. I want my students to have fun with math and help them construct their own knowledge of mathematical principles by using concrete materials and playing games in an environment where they are encouraged to take risks. Many of my students are afraid to take "risks" in math for fear of being "wrong." Despite my encouragement to take risk, they remain hesitant to share their thoughts and ideas as they have been conditioned to believe that math is all about "having the right answer." Accordingly, I believe that providing them with an opportunity to play games and explore math topics with concrete materials would help reduce or eliminate this discomfort. We live in tough economic times and school budgets are extremely tight. Funding to purchase such materials just isn't available through school budgets, hence I am appealing to thoughtful donors, like you, who want to make a difference for children. I thank you in advance for your consideration and assure you that these materials will be put to good use.

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About my class

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