Grade: 7th and 8th
Teacher Name: Kierra Johnson
Description and purpose of grant:
Creating a positive math mindset in students greatly impacts student achievement and growth. I can have the “highest” of students in a class, but without student buy-in, my work is ineffective, especially in a math support class.
The objective of classroom transformations is to provide props and materials to create a temporary immersive, theme-based learning experience within the classroom by bringing my students' day-to-day hobbies/interests to life. These classroom transformation themes put a spin on classroom activities to help spark students' engagement through hands-on and sensory learning. Transforming their environment into engaging spaces will also promote teamwork, a sense of community, critical thinking, and friendly competition, all while ensuring that students are having fun and learning.
These classroom transformations align with CISD’s Core Values. Each individual's contribution is celebrated, allowing for success to be redefined for each student. Classroom transformations promote great teaching by leveraging authentic relationships to ensure all students' passions are highlighted in our learning experiences. The transformations allow for the class to collectively engage to develop their math understanding while having fun
Implementation process:
As a math support teacher my class sizes vary from 10 students to 16 students depending on the class period.
By transforming the classroom I would like to create an environment that integrates students' hobbies and interests with math. At the end of a unit I want to set-up a game day experience to review TEKS. I believe that creating games geared towards student interest is another way for students to show mastery rather than just taking a standardized test.
Two classroom transformation examples are listed below:
Soccer incorporates math in many ways, including geometry (angle measurements). Learning the difference between acute, obtuse and 90 degree angles could be less overwhelming by playing a game of soccer. Having students face the goalie and practice rotating their bodies and legs at certain angles to better their chance at scoring is more engaging and hands-on for visual and kinesthetic learners.
At the end of the year as students prepare for STAAR, implementing a bootcamp transformation will help prepare them for the battle ahead. Designing a student-led mathematics bootcamp would help to foster a sense of accountability, community building, and overall relieve students anxiety and improve their confidence in mathematical skills. Creating an obstacle course for them to work through all the TEKS we have learned for the year, while wearing their army hats will help shift their mindset to the real enemy at hand, which is the test, and not the way they feel about taking the test. By the end of the year they will have enough confidence to fight this battle.
Being able to have these classroom transformation props for years to come would help students in the future engage in math in a new and fun way like never before.
Items you plan to purchase with grant money
Classroom set of jerseys - $64.99
Mini Basketballs - $7.99
Basketball Door Hoop - $26.99
Basketball Decorations - $8.99
Basketball Banner - $8.99
Ref Jersey Set - $12.99
Awards - $16.99
Bowling Pins - $95.29
Bowling Decorations - $9.98
Bootcamp Banner - $12.99
Bootcamp Decorations - $9.99
Army Hats - $19.99
Soccer Balls - $44.99
Soccer Decorations - $8.99
Grocery List - $8.99
Table Cloths - $17.99
Groceries - $39.99
Pretend Food - $25.99
Play Money - $17.99
Detective Kit - $24.99
Sunglasses - $12.99
Detective Decorations - $7.99
In the event my grant is not fully funded, this is minimum amount I would need to get started on this project: In the event that my grant is not fully funded, the minimum amount that I would need to get my project started is $500. With this I will be able to get a jump start on making our classroom transformation ideas come to life.