My students are curious, hard-working, eager, and well-behaved. They come from a tight-knit community in the suburbs of Utah. They are a diverse group of students with a wide range of academic abilities and varied backgrounds. My first graders love to learn. They are curious about the world and how everything works. These children deeply enjoy hands-on problem-solving, creating, and inventing.
The effects of the pandemic have been stressful for all of them in one way or another.
As teachers, we had to quickly bring our students' computer skills up to speed, and update lesson plans for online access. While this transition was stressful for students, they have been flexible. During the peak of the Pandemic, students' access to hands-on learning including science experiments were restricted. Students have loved the few STEM activities that they have been able to participate in with their classmates.
My students are resilient! They have adapted to their “new normal.” Now it is time for them to have more opportunities to create and work in teams to explore and learn.
My Project
I have two needs. First, I would like books showing greater ethnic diversity and second building kits for STEM projects.
I need books that include ethnic diversity, with stories that will connect children of all backgrounds, so everyone feels included.
This will create a more homogeneous classroom community. These books will help students build empathy for each other. I believe that every student should be able to see themselves represented in their classroom library.
My first graders also need more hands-on STEM building materials for greater learning opportunities. My students sometimes struggle to work together. STEM projects will help them build their collaborative skills which will be important in their future careers. I am hoping to receive several building kits. If this grant is filled I will provide challenges using these blocks, bridge building kits, vehicle building kits, and other supplies. Building kits can provide my students with an interactive learning experience by allowing them to address problems and create solutions using working models. So far the STEM lessons I have provided used paper cups, string, paper clips, paper, and such. It would be nice to have some interesting reusable materials for my students to use and practice their problem-solving STEM skills. These kits will be used over and over for different challenges. These children are our future scientists and innovators. These kits will help me provide my students with a better educational experience that will keep them excited about science and problem-solving.
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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. Thorne and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.