Transitional Kindergarten is a most magical world of leaning and discovery. The students cheer when they see me come in each morning...and ask "Teacher, what are we going to do today?!" They love school and groan when it is time for a weekend or holiday. They are 100% pure potential and energy!
T-K students are the children who turn 5 between September 1st and December 2nd.
They are too young to start Kindergarten, but are too old to attend funded preschool. They are the newest and youngest students in the elementary schools. T-k is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program. The students arrive with a large variety of skills. Some have never been away from home before, while others have been in preschool and early childhood care settings. Some students have never painted, or even tried to write their name, while others can read when they arrive. All of them are learning to participate in the BIG school. They learn to listen and speak with classmates and adults, take turns, question, experiment, listen, watch, and do! We learn to organize our thoughts, explore what we are curious about and seek answers to our questions. Its a safe place to play, try, make mistakes, and problem solve. We all work hard every day to be friendly, kind, and improve!
My Project
I am really hoping to raise enough money to run a small group using the iPads as support tools in the subject matter with which we are working. My biggest excitement, since returning to graduate school and studying technology, is realizing the potential for language and literacy development with young students who are just beginning to emerge. There are so many applications that allow for students--who do not yet read or write independently--to craft factual or imaginary stories, to capture and explain their ideas and creations, to record their discoveries, or explore and seek information from outside the classroom setting. Before attempting these things, they must know how to handle the equipment, be safe and develop some digital citizenship to prepare for the possibilities of their futures. My students should learn with the tools of their world. Yes, we still use crayons, chalk, paint, sand, water, blocks and manipulatives...but we need to prepare with modern tools, too
Donations will help get machines into the hands of students.
We currently do not have a working student computer in the room, and the teacher computer is 14 years old. We just got new computers in our school computer lab, but we only get 20 minutes, once a week, in the lab. Our school plan does not include tablets. Just having a few devices would allow the students to take a turn at exploring digital learning, resources and applications. The motivation and engagement would soar!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Varner and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
