Let's face it, we're going to be teachers and we are most likely going to get hired into a poorer district that will be faced with plenty of budget cuts. The question I chose to research is: How do I keep my science classroom current and effective on a low budget? Science is always changing and materials can easily become out of date, and ineffective equipment/materials can really hinder the teaching and learning that takes place in a classroom. I looked things I could do to enhance my classroom on a low budget, here's what I found:
- I have to be dedicated and creative
- I have to become best friends with my local butcher who can supply me with free hearts, kidneys,lungs, etc.
- I must become an avid rummage sale shopper: graduated beakers from empty jelly jars, balance from a peg board, a nail, a piece of soda straw, and scraps of wood, gram weights from nuts and bolts
-I must have a relationship with my students and their parents, they can bring in materials from home
-I have to be willing to do fund raisers
Crystal-
ReplyDeleteI think you came up with some really great and useful ideas to bring into your future classroom. Asking parents to bring in supplies they have laying around is always a great idea, and I am sure you would be surprised with what some families will bring in. Also often times local businesses are also willing to donate extra supplies. However, I think that if you are just creative there are plenty of things you could do with your science class that doesn't cost a thing.
Michelle is right- science can be effective in a low budget classroom. Have the students take a walk autside- look at leaves, bugs, the cycle of a tree, the water cycle, weather, etc. There are a lot of different topics and lessons that can develop from just standing outside.
ReplyDeleteI think parents are also really good about providing resources for the classroom. You have to remember, this is their child's classroom and they want their child to learn. Fundraising is a great idea if you have time! This also shows students, parents, the school, and the community that you really care about your students and classroom.
I laughed at the comment about the butcher. However, it isn't a bad idea! I guess we will have to work with what we get and utilize all resources possible!
Crystal-
ReplyDeleteI like some of these ideas and had never thought of them. Did you use any sources for some help on this and if so could you share them with us? Also, we are doing a plant unit and Brunsell came up with the idea of going to a florist or like Pick-N-Save and seeing if they have almost dead flowers (or droopy ones) they can give for free or really cheap. Just something to share as it relates to this and who doesn't want to save some money with what little we make?
Thanks again Crystal.
Crystal,
ReplyDeleteYes, it is true that there are a lot of budget cuts that effect education. You have a lot of good ideas. I now look at stuff I have before I toss the junk into the trash. I ask myself, can I use this in teaching? Nine times out of ten I keep the junk and hope the junk comes to good use some day down the road!
Do you think that a good idea would be for the "before school starts supply list" that as a science teacher, we could add some supplies to that list? What would be the essentials a science teacher would need? I love your idea about the butcher. But do the hearts need to be processed so they do not stink? Or become stinky?
This is a great question to research! I have already begun to worry about the expenses a classroom entails. Technology is constantly changing which puts added pressure on us as future teachers to have to the most up to date things in our classrooms. I like the point you bring up about being able to use materials from our own home! I think this is a great idea. There are so many odds and ends that can be used in many different ways in a classroom.. it's all about using our creativity!
ReplyDeleteCrystal, I agree that it is important to figure out what you can do to keep science interesting and up to date in your classroom if you have a low budget. I think some of the ideas you found are great! I think that most people go into teaching knowing that it is more than just a job, and that it is something you are working at all the time. I think the examples you shared show just how much time and energy a teacher must really dedicate into the profession of teaching to be successful.
ReplyDeleteNancy-
In my high school for Human Anatomy class we always disected deer hearts around November/December. There was a very good reason for this: Deer Hunting season. Our teacher would ask anyone who hunted, or whose family hunted to bring in the deer hearts in a ziplock bag that had been kept in the refrigerator and we would save them(also refrigerated) until we had enough for each pair of students to disect one. We never had a problem getting enough hearts because people were more than willing to help out our class. They do not have to be processed. Just kept cold. They were free, and it was one of the best things I remembered from that class and learned the most from.
Overall, you must be creative in thinking of ways to incorporate science into your classroom on a budget.
Crystal, could you post the website you found these ideas on so we could use it in the future?Thanks!
Crystal-
ReplyDeleteGreat topic! I completely agree, especially in today's economy, we have to be creative when it comes to budgeting. I loved your comment on becoming friends with the local butcher haha! I think that utilizing people in the community and taking the initiative to reach out to members in the community for help is crucial. To survive hard economic times in the schools, teachers need to become resourceful and step out of their boundaries to look for help. In my placement, one of the fourth grade teachers sent an e-mail out to the Oshkosh school district asking for science supplies or anything they planned to disgard. A couple weeks later, one of the schools in the district sent her four fairly new hand microscopes for students to gain practice and experience using. Thus, it is up to teachers to be creative and resourceful.
I look forward to reading more of your posts