Rachel Michelle Roberts

2400 N. Front St.  #54

Philadelphia, PA 19133

Identification:

My name is Rachel Michelle Roberts and I currently teach in the school district of Philadelphia. I am a fifth grade teacher at William H. Hunter Elementary school located in North Philadelphia.                

Specific Aim/Goal:

I plan to purchase a number of essential materials in order for my students to be successful using inquiry while learning. This will allow each student in my class to become an inquiry based explorer. They will finally get the opportunity to truly examine and explore science. We never have enough of anything in order to do lab projects. This is very frustrating as a teacher because I have to choose who the “scientist” is going to be that day or week. It is unfair for the students to learn in these conditions. I plan to purchase enough materials for each topic during each report card period. In the fifth grade we will explore three main topics of interest. They are Solar Energy, Variables and Ecosystems. These materials I plan to purchase will add to the core curriculum materials and allow students to truly “think outside the box”.

Proposal:

My specific goals for my students are for them to have more inquiry based experiences within our Science curriculum. Unfortunately, they are unable to explore true science because of the lack of finances within the district as well as the enormous number of students in a single classroom. The items I would like to purchase are very simple necessities that a teacher needs to run a classroom of thirty plus students.  I am trying to pull in outside materials that will allow my children to investigate, explore and inquire about science. We are not given enough supplies or funds to supply our students. My hope is that these simple supplies in addition to the supplies I plan to purchase for my students this year will allow for a more organized, yet inquiry based science curriculum.

Equipment:

-Magnetic write and wipe Adjustable Easel   - Classroom Science Corner   $179.00

- Energy for the Future and Global Warming Book Set   $63.95

-Scholastic Ecosystems classroom Book Set   $46.00

-Dialogue, Discussion and Debate Science Book   $24.99

-Standards based Science Investigations Book Grade 5   $16.99

-Science Graphic Organizers and Mini-Lessons Book   $10.99

-Scientific Method Banner for the Classroom Science Corner    $5.50

Total - $347.42 + S/H