Compassionate Makers and Leaders

School:: Veterans Memorial Elementary
Subject:: Stem
Teacher:: Marge Cox
Students Impacted:: 850
Grade:: K-5
Date:: September 3, 2017

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

License For Learning Plate Fund - $907.00

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 850

School provides the opportunity for students to learn an array of information, but it is my belief that we also provide the opportunity to develop character traits in children. This project incorporates academics (math and English Language arts skills) with character traits (compassion and empathy) through different creative activities.

One project provided students the opportunity to make toys for cats and dogs housed by the Humane shelter. Students went there to read to them and the toys were given to the animals to take to new adoptive homes. The children used math skills as they measured materials to make the toys.

In another project, students created greeting cards for assisted living residents. They would like to send a card to a friend, but don’t have transportation to get one. These cards allow them to share good wishes. Youngsters used math skills to make the cards and English Language Arts skills to write the greetings.

The last project was to make blankets for children in homeless shelters or for youngsters who are in distressful situations for any reason. A variety of fabric patterns were chosen and students used their Math skills to fringe the fabric.

Original Grant Overview

Goal

Students will use Makerspace Lab activities to show compassion to others, thus developing their own skill and improving the lives of others. As a Leader in Me school, we consistently encourage our students to see themselves as leaders and this provides a real-life opportunity to influence our community.

What will be done with my students

Our Makerspace experience started several years ago based on a small Champions for Learning summer experience. It has grown and improved each year. This year, the focus will be on utilizing Makerspace-developed skills to influence other people and programs positively. This grant will allow us to provide a unique experience for grade levels that will be centered on a specific project for others. For example, Kindergartens and first graders will have the chance to make greeting cards for elderly Naples residents. Second and third graders will get to make toys for animal shelters. Fourth and fifth graders will help create snugglies for children in distress.

Benefits to my students

An important aspect of Makerspaces is the opportunity to problem solve. This grant will help children to not only enjoy making, but do things that will improve our community and help solve problems of loneliness or lack of funds. If we want children to show compassion as adults, then we need to provide opportunities for them to experience it as youth. This grant will sow those seeds of empathy and caring, as well as help students develop making skills.

Budget Narrative

The items in this budget are the additional items needed to complete the projects. Our Makerspace Lab already has numerous pairs of scissors, rulers, etc. The items listed are specifically needed for the projects being proposed. I want every child to have the chance to make a difference in our community and feel the satisfaction of helping others.

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	Astrobrights Colored Cardstock - $18.00 for 75 sheets	$90.00
2	Variety of Markers for card making	$50.00
3	Assorted Stickers for card making	$50.00
4	Baby socks for cat toys - $1.00 per sock for 100 socks	$100.00
5	Polyfil for cat toys - $12.00 for 20 oz.	$48.00
6	Catnip for cat toys - $7.00 per bag	$49.00
7	Tshirts from second hand stores for dog toys	$100.00
8	Thread and needles for sewing animal toys and snugglies	$20.00
9	Fabric for snugglies for distressed children	$400.00
	Total:	$907.00

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