My students are no less competent and capable than students in affluent communities, a fact that is not readily apparent when comparing the high school graduation rates between students in low versus high-income communities.
I want my students to have the life-changing opportunity of access to an excellent college education. 6th grade, not high school, is truly the beginning of the journey to college. What students do in 6th grade eventually determines their placement level (honors/AP/IB vs. standard) in high school. Being in honors or AP level classes opens a plethora of additional college opportunities and even scholarships.
Therefore, as a 6th grade teacher I have the colossal obligation of putting my students on the path towards college, and thus career opportunities and success. Excelling in math is especially important in traveling down the "Road to Success", not only to get into college, but because math makes sense of the world. We use math in our everyday life and therefore being fluent in the language of mathematics is crucial.
I plan on decorating my room with everything related to roads and driving. For example, on my wall I will have a bulletin board titled "Scholars in the Fast Lane: Achievers and Improvers" and another bulletin board titled "Top Test Finishers". I made a poster that looks like the One Way road sign and under it I wrote "An Education". My students are also going to participate in "The Race to Success". Every Friday my students are going to take a quiz. I am going to make a road on the wall of the classroom and their score on the quiz will determine the number of miles they can move their paper car. The better the score, the farther they move.
Tuesday is the day that I can finally start decorating and arranging my classroom. (My very own classroom!! This is finally becoming a reality!!)
I will post pictures when the room is complete.
-Ms. Hollingsworth
