A Beta a Day Keeps the Stress Away

School:: Freeport Elementary
Subject:: Teaching Quality
Teacher:: Mary Frances Anderson
Students Impacted:: 40
Grade:: 4
Date:: October 9, 2023

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

The St. Joe Community Foundation - $531.60

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 42

My students have greatly enjoyed having fish in our classroom this year. Through this grant I was able to purchase not only fish for our classroom but also all the supplies to keep the aquarium running for the forseeable future. I was also able to purchase fidgets for the students to use when they are feeling frustrated or stressed. This has given students an opportunity to stay in our classroom and not miss instruction when they are feeling stressed or frustrated. I was able to purchase 3 fish, instead of the original 2 that I had planned to purchase because a smaller aquarium was donated to my classroom. The students took ownership in the fish by voting on the names for all 3 fish. They decided on Sponge Bob, Patrick, and Squidward, 3 Half Moon Beta fish. They have worked to keep the tanks clean and have been responsible for feeding the fish daily. This has been an exciting time for them when it is thier turn to feed the fish. I am looking forward to having the fish in my classroom for the whole year next year so that more students can benefit from the calming nature of these beautiful creatures.

grant photo

Aquarium supplies purchased to set up and maintain

grant photo

Just a few of the fidgets that were purchased to h

Original Grant Overview

Goal

My goal is to create a calm learning environment for my students as well as help foster responsibility of students in my classroom.

What will be done with my students

Many students come to school stressed because of things that have happened at home or things that are happening at school. School should be a place where students feel safe, calm, and appreciated. All students need a safe, calming space in their classroom where they can go to decompress but still receive instruction from their teacher. Aquariums can provide this space for students. I would also like to include some quiet fidget items for students to use while in the area with the aquarium watching the fish to help foster the calm the the Beta and water flowing in the aquarium can create.
I also believe that with this one time grant, I can help foster a sense of responsibility among my students. Being responsible for taking care of our class pet on a rotating basis makes students feel needed, when they may not have that feeling at home.

Benefits to my students

I currently teach 40 students but this aquarium potentially has the ability to impact hundreds of students. Any student who is having a rough time, can come to my classroom and listen to the flowing water and watch the fish swim around. This can help calm them down and give them the ability to return to their classroom with a different outlook on the rest of their day.

Budget Narrative

All prices are from PetsMart. I accounted for maintenance that will need to be done on the aquarium over time such as filter changes, water changes, and food. I chose the male halfmoon beta for its vibrant colors and large flowing fins that make it calming to watch swim around. An example is pictured along with the grant. I would also like to include some fidget items for students to use while in the area of the aquarium to promote the calming environment that the aquarium and the fish will create in our classroom. These fidget items will be purchased through Amazon. I have also requested storage containers for the fidget items as well as a container to safely store the extra items for the aquarium.

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	5 Gallon Aquarium	$59.99
2	Aquarium Gravel, 2@ 7.99	$15.98
3	Assorted Aquarium plants (7 @ aprox. 5.99 each)	$41.93
4	Aquarium coral structure (2 @ 19.99 each)	$39.98
5	Water Conditioner	$19.99
6	Dip Net	$3.99
7	Replacement filter cartridges (5@ 21.99)	$109.95
8	Fish Food (2 @ 2.29)	$4.58
9	Male Halfmoon Beta (2 @ 19.99)	$39.98
10	Sensory Stress Balls, 15 pack (3@ 21.95)	$65.85
11	28 pack Mochi squishy toys (3@ 9.99)	$29.97
12	Storage baskets for fidget toys, Rattan Straw seaweed basket (2 @ 18.99)	$37.98
13	Sterlite Nesting Storage box	$21.47
14	DoodleJamz Jelly Boards, Sensory Drawing Boards (4@ 9.99)	$39.96
	Total:	$531.60

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