With these funds I will engage and educate my students throughout the school year by creating activities that bring their learning to life. Hands on experiences in the classroom open learning up to all students. One year, our class bought a pumpkin and carved it together to make a jack-o-lantern, then we dried the seeds, planted some and baked and ate them. And finally, we wrote the steps to carving a pumpkin, creating a "How to Book". Students are engaged and learning and love it! This activity taught students about culture, life cycle of a plant, and writing a "How to Book". 

We also make masks each year to ensure all students have one to wear for the school Halloween parade. At Christmas, we follow a recipe and make dough ornaments to give to the local nursing home. 

Students love to mold dough and use tools to create their own ornaments. 

I would also like to add kick balls, jump ropes and sidewalk chalk to my classroom for students during recess. Our large school has little to offer students on the playground. Only a small percent of the students can use the equipment because of over crowding. 

I was surprised to find out that some of my students have never made cut out cookies, carved a jack-o-lantern or other engaging activities I do at home with my own child.

With the limited funding in our large elementary school, I can not stock the supplies to complete many of these projects. The cost of pumpkins and supplies for making dough cookies is not something that can be ordered on our class supply list. I am finding that I do not always have the funds to support these activities and would be grateful for any donations. Please help me bring fun, creativity, culture, and hands on learning into my classroom. 

I believe that education is the number one way out of poverty. Teaching at a school where 74% of our students get free and reduced lunch, I want to ensure my first graders are engaged learners who love school so they become life long learners.

My supply list will include: craft, art, music and science focused supplies from Lake-shore Teacher Store because they have good resources for classrooms and fair shipping rates to Hawaii. Their link is www.Lakeshorelearning.com

Supplies needed are: air dry clay/dough, play dough and tools, balls, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, pumpkins, masks, art supplies including paper, paint, crayons, glue, butterfly hatching container, books on life cycles and student make your own booklets.

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