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.
My Students
Have you ever seen a class of enthusiastic and supportive learners? A class that fully engages with the lessons and supporting tasks using a tremendous amount of perseverance? Maybe even a class that cheers when their teacher (me) goes a full day without spilling coffee on herself? That class is my class.
A majority of my energetic and passionate third-grade students are victims of generational and systemic poverty.
Their childhoods have a tremendous impact on their social and emotional development. This often causes a significant disparity in their academic achievement when compared to their counterparts across "the bridge." Despite all of their challenges, they continue to accelerate their excellence.
My students are loving, generous, and risk-taking learners who immerse themselves in every task they embark on. I teach in one of the lowest-performing elementary schools in South Carolina. Yet, my students are consistently outperforming the expectations they have of themselves. Their confidence grows by the day. Their willingness to help each other grows by the hour. Their excitement to learn grows by the minute.
My Project
Many of my students are significantly below grade level in all subject areas. This has always been the case for my school. Over two-thirds of my class are performing below the 20th percentile according to the NWEA MAP norms. Only six students currently receive a form of intervention. I primarily plan our math instruction, but even I see literacy as the foundation to a successful educational career for every student. My students receive a 125-150% increase in their scores on math quizzes and assessments when I read the questions to the whole class rather let them read the questions independently. This tells me they have mastered mathematical grade-level concepts. It also tells me that enough is enough. They have clear gaps in their literacy foundation and the "filling in" is long overdue.
This means it is time for my co-teacher and I to get instructionally creative and manically intentional.
While we follow all-inclusive ELA and math curriculums with fidelity, it is still not enough. It is imperative for students to receive instruction on their grade-level. However, it is also imperative that students are provided with individualized supports to help them excel with the grade-level content. The materials in this project are typical in any early childhood classroom (1st grade and under). Seeing as we are third grade teachers, we have some early literacy supports, but not enough. It is our hope and intent that these materials will propel our students to become fluent, on-grade-level readers so they can excel above and beyond the expectations they have of themselves. As their literacy grows, so will their ability to comprehend mathematical story problems and justify their reasoning in words. Additionally, they will be more independently successful when researching science and social studies concepts. Also, you will receive quality thank you letters!
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
GG470X - Touch Read Phonics Sentence Match - Complete Set
• Lakeshore Learning Materials
$99.50
1
$99.50
GG365X - Touch Read Phonics Word Match- Complete Set
• Lakeshore Learning Materials
$85.00
1
$85.00
Post-it Super Sticky Easel Pad, 25 x 30 Inches, 30 Sheets/Pad, 4 Pads, Large White Premium Self Stick Flip Chart Paper, Super Sticking Power (559-4)
• Amazon Business
$78.88
1
$78.88
Storex Letter Size Flat Storage Tray – Organizer Bin with Non-Snap Lid for Classroom, Office and Home, Yellow, 5-Pack (62538U05C)
• Amazon Business
$30.49
2
$60.98
Storex Letter Size Flat Storage Tray – Organizer Bin with Non-Snap Lid for Classroom, Office and Home, Teal, 5-Pack (62541U05C)
• Amazon Business
$30.06
2
$60.12
EE667 - Lakeshore Word Family Readers
• Lakeshore Learning Materials
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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. Fisher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
