I am requesting funding for twenty students to travel abroad to China. The students have spent this year learning the principles that govern our economy, but have had little opportunity to explore how these same principles play out within another context. China currently has one of the most fascinating economies in the world as its growth is slowly transforming the culture. My students want to explore how one of the fastest growing economies in the world impacts the lifestyles of its people. How has culture impacted the economy, and how in return has the evolving economy impacted the culture? Donations to this project will allow my students to travel to Beijing and Hong Kong to not only explore significant cultural landmarks, but also to visit Chinese banks and factories to discuss how economics influences the decisions companies and the government make and consequently the people to whom they serve.
Donations of any size are much appreciated and incredibly meaningful. To help you see just what kind of impact your donation will have on my students, I've attempted to break down the contributions into something very tangible. See just how far your donation will go: $5 - Lunch for a Day, $10 - Admittance to a National Landmark (i.e. Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven), $25 - Travel to Great Wall of China, $50 - Acrobatic Show, $75 - Trip to Lantau Island, $200 - Food, $500 - Hotel Stays.
I've always encouraged my students to see beyond the classroom, to apply what they’re learning to the world around them, to stand up, and take their places as citizens of the world.
I teach two sections of AP Microeconomics at a low-income, under-performing comprehensive high school in CT. Despite the many challenges they face, my students have persevered and grown into intelligent, hard-working, admirable, young adults. They not only challenge themselves by taking Advanced Placement classes, but dedicate themselves to expanding their understanding of the world. My school is incredibly diverse and we attempt to celebrate the many cultures represented within our 70% black and Latino population.
For most of my students, this trip will not only be their first time in Asia, but also their first time traveling abroad. They have a hunger for knowledge and inspire me daily as they tackle, what is for many, the “dismal science” that is economics. My students truly engage in their own learning and are ready to challenge themselves to explore a culture and economy that is vastly different than that of our own. Their excitement keeps me animated about teaching.
When conducting a lab that requires heating or finding mass, having enough alcohol burners, stands, ethanol fuel and electronic balances are key. I am requesting enough balances, burners, and stands for each lab group of 4 students to have access. Having this access will build responsibility for lab safety and scientific processes because as students will not be wholly dependent on the teacher for their learning.
I know this project will make a difference in how deeply my students come to understand physical science. By actually doing the labs themselves, they will be right in the thick of experiencing science. Who knows, you may inspire the next chemist!
Providing opportunities for students to engage in hands-on science is imperative in my classroom. Watching science is not the same as doing science and we currently are in need of these supplies so students can do, not watch, science.
This class of eighth graders loves labs that involve fire and luckily lots of labs require the use of alcohol burners to heat substances. Unfortunately we only have one alcohol burner, leaving my students who love doing science stuck watching demonstrations. We also have a need to determine the mass of substances but only have two 3-beam balances for use by 24 students. They lose valuable time and learning opportunities to waiting and express a need to keep the pace moving.
With only having P.E. once a week we have to come up with fun lessons to help supplement activities in our own classrooms. I truly believe John Huron and the quote I shared, “Exercise is the single best thing you can do for your brain in terms of mood, memory, and learning!”
Can you imagine being a six year old, having to learn to read, write, add, and subtract and being expected to sit for up to four hours without a break? Well let me tell you it is pretty hard! They need a break and they need to get their bodies moving! These materials to include a parachute, jump ropes, potato sacks and a catch and balance set will help us do just that, get our brains reset and ready to take in our day!
I am excited because these materials are ones that we can use in our class to really get us going! Jump ropes are so good for first graders in developing their coordination! The parachute is such a great tool to help with team work, and really works their upper body strength. And who doesn’t love a good potato sack race? It gets the blood flowing and again really helps with that coordination! We really want to get moving and learning so please help us!
First graders are on information overload at times and they need an outlet to help them reset! “Exercise is the single best thing you can do for your brain in terms of mood, memory, and learning,” says John Ratey Huron, Harvard Medical School. We need fun ways to exercise our brain and body!
My classroom is full of life! They are first graders from all walks of life and yet they all have something in common, they all love to discover new things! I have a very diverse classroom in a very low income school. You will find children from all walks of life, some good and some that would break your heart. Something that brings them all together is our school, and I have found for some it is a safe haven. I love the enthusiasm they all have for learning and they love to discover new things.
70% percent of our school’s children are on free and reduced lunches. We also are bordered with a reservation and have farms all around our rural area, so as you can imagine we are a very diverse school with many cultures that flow through our halls.
It is a great place to work and the children are incredible kids to teach. I love my job!