Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
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Our classroom recently acquired an aquaponics system to supplement our Life Science studies. We can (and have) used this to study ecosystems, plants, animals, and the Nitrogen Cycle. Our system includes a planting bed and a tub below for our fish, but we can't see them well in the rubbermaid tub they currently live in. This aquarium will provide a clear viewing area for the students to see the fish & observe their behavior. With this clear tank they can see how any changes can affect things like algae growth and/ or water clarity. As well they can see immediate results from their care- such as feeding them or monitoring pump & filter functions. There is a lot my students can learn from observing and caring for the fish and plants in our aquaponics system, especially since this isn't an opportunity they would have outside of the classroom.
One of the best ways for a child to learn to control their emotions and care for themselves is to care for something else. My students come from a poverty stricken neighborhood where trauma and dysfunction is often 'normal'. Given their backgrounds, my kids need additional support as they develop and mature into emotionally secure adults. The opportunity to learn from and care for the fish and plants in our classroom ecosystem is not only academically beneficial for them, but also emotionally beneficial.
About my class
Our classroom recently acquired an aquaponics system to supplement our Life Science studies. We can (and have) used this to study ecosystems, plants, animals, and the Nitrogen Cycle. Our system includes a planting bed and a tub below for our fish, but we can't see them well in the rubbermaid tub they currently live in. This aquarium will provide a clear viewing area for the students to see the fish & observe their behavior. With this clear tank they can see how any changes can affect things like algae growth and/ or water clarity. As well they can see immediate results from their care- such as feeding them or monitoring pump & filter functions. There is a lot my students can learn from observing and caring for the fish and plants in our aquaponics system, especially since this isn't an opportunity they would have outside of the classroom.
One of the best ways for a child to learn to control their emotions and care for themselves is to care for something else. My students come from a poverty stricken neighborhood where trauma and dysfunction is often 'normal'. Given their backgrounds, my kids need additional support as they develop and mature into emotionally secure adults. The opportunity to learn from and care for the fish and plants in our classroom ecosystem is not only academically beneficial for them, but also emotionally beneficial.