Math in Their Hands
Awarded $1500
My name is Ms. Weaver, and I am a 6th grade mathematics teacher at PCMS. My classroom project, Math in Their Hands, is being awarded funding by the Putnam Education Foundation. This project will transform my classroom into a space where scholars not only learn math, but truly experience it.
My goal is to build a collection of hands-on instructional manipulatives that my 6th grade scholars can use daily to explore concepts, collaborate with one another, and learn in ways that make sense to them. These tools will allow me to better support the diverse learning needs in my classroom and create more meaningful learning experiences for every student. I am excited to see the impact this project will have on my scholars. I want to build their confidence and encourage participation. I want them to move away from saying, “I’m bad at math,” and instead say, “Oh, I understand now,” or even, “This is fun.”
Ultimately, my hope is that this project inspires my scholars to enjoy coming to school, strengthens their problem-solving skills, encourages them to communicate their thinking, and helps them develop a positive relationship with math that will stay with them long after they leave my classroom. I am truly thankful to the Putnam Education Foundation for investing in my classroom and in my scholars, current and future.