“You can’t do it. YET!” Instilling a growth mindset in the classroom is empowering for young learners. Students remind each other that maybe you can’t do it yet, but with practice, you will be able to. As you walk through my classroom you may hear, “My brain is getting stronger.” When we make mistakes our brain gets stronger and grows. It’s amazing how students will try anything in my class without fear of failure.
Students challenging themselves and peers, taking risks, and persevering is exciting to observe as an educator.
Our Title I school provides breakfast and lunch for every student, which means less food insecurities and more learning. The class is structured so the schedule is predictable yet flexible. Students understand they get what they need to be successful and that doesn’t always mean they get the same things. My first graders are confident, kind, problem solvers, and are happy to come to school each day.
My Project
Even though many of my students don’t have a lot, they always want to give. I have been teaching about kindness and giving since the first day of school. I want to help them give by anonymously giving gifts to other students in need, within our school community. Here is how my project would work: 1. I would meet with the school counselor to find out who would benefit from a gift. I would find out details about that student such as, how old are they, what grade are they in, if they are a boy or girl, etc. 2. I would read the basic info to my students and they would choose a student to give to. 3. My students would then “shop” from the gifts I have available and wrap them. The gifts I choose are toys that many children want right now. I have also included hats, gloves, and socks. So each receiving child would get a toy or game and a basic need item. 4. My students would also make a card to go along with the gift. The children receiving gifts would know their present came from another student but would not know who. 5. The school counselor would deliver the gifts and report back to the class the reactions of the children. 6. When the project is complete we would talk about the many aspects of giving and receiving.
I believe “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” —Booker T Washington.
I understand that this project is a bit “out of the box,” but I feel it would not only have a positive effect on the students receiving the gift, but on the whole school, especially my students. I would
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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