MY PROJECT:
Why is it when students reach third or fourth grade, the color seems to disappear from their school work? In the early grades, students are encouraged to use the entire box of crayons. The pictures in their books are vivid and colorful. Even their tables and chairs are multicolored.

I am one of 2 teachers in a 4th grade Integrated Co-Teaching class. Simply put, some of my students are special needs and many are general education. I, along with my co-teacher, work together to make sure that all of our students learn and move ahead academically, no matter what their academic or physical challenges may be. They are wonderful students who come from both our local neighborhood and from various surrounding areas. Some of them even ride public transportation to and from school each and every day. Although our school is designated "moderate poverty", that does not tell the entire story of the socioeconomic situation of a number of my students.

I would like to bring color back into their world. They are entitled to fun, colorful and motivating lessons just as their younger schoolmates are by having a new colored printer, paper and ink. If I print a lesson or article off the web, or photocopy a page from a magazine, we only have a monochromatic printer in the room. It does not fully capture the colors or contrasts that we see on screen. And, who decided that only yellow post-its will do? Not me! Why can't the children take notes or mark their place using the color notes of their choosing? With all the technology available on the market today, why should my students learn in only shades of gray?

I am requesting these supplies to bring a motivating and engaging rainbow of color back into the daily learning for my students. By helping me supply the printer and toner, paper, post-its and white out (cause we all make mistakes!), you will be helping my students to engage in their work. They will identify more with what they do if they have a choice in the color or look of their work. Show Less