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Mrs. C. from E. Brunswick, NJ is requesting technology through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Lens on Literacy

My students need 1 Elmo document camera.

$971 goal

This project expired on February 1, 2009.

Mrs. C. Hammarskjold Upper Elementary School

E. Brunswick, NJ Grades 6-8

Lens on Literacy Imagine a class of students gathered around their teacher in a reading center. Boys and girls rapt in attention, their eyes focused on the book the teacher holds awkwardly in her left hand. Her right hand moves to the left gently turning the page, when all of the sudden commotion breaks out...Suzy is blocking Johnny’s view of the book; he shifted and landed in Dan’s lap. Not only does the interruption break the mood but the students who were working on developing thinking strategies for reading comprehension have forgotten what they were focused on. Now imagine a boardroom with men and women gathered around a presenter on black leather chairs. They roll their seats to get a closer look at the presentation. However, they are unable to fit close enough for everyone to see clearly. Knowing that the presentation is important to the future of the company they shift in their seats, they tilt their heads to get a better look while asking their neighbors in whisper voices what did that slide say. Why is it that classrooms lag so far behind corporate boardrooms, executive presentations, and mainstream technology? Young minds need the best to make learning come alive, to make words jump off a page, to grow curiosity and wonder. In a world where a students’ learning environment is less than stimulating compared to the outside world is it any wonder that students are board by school. Our students are surrounded by a world of technology and fast pace information at their fingertips. Our classrooms should reflect the inspiration technology could provide and stimulate students to engage in learning as they engage in video games, interactive TV, and the ever-popular Wii games. We need to strive to compete and win over students’ desires to learn, to propel them to desire knowledge and growth. One creative way to focus our lenses on literacy while incorporating technology, as well as information into our children’s academic lives is through the use of multimedia, interactive presentations that build excitement, add life to a classroom and foster self-confidence. In my sixth grade classroom in NJ, I would like my students to grow their metacognitive reading strategies by using an Elmo document camera to display books we are reading together; no more fighting for room in the reading center; everyone will be able to see. I would like to celebrate student work by being able to take their writing at the moment they do something wonderful and place it on the document projector in order to discuss with the class the specifics of writing style and craft. The class can create interactive writing together as we study writer’s craft, mechanics, and grammar. Writing can be modeled for students helping them to understand not only the process of writing but also what experienced writer’s can do. With the use of a document projector, every student in the class will have a front row seat and will benefit from the instruction. No longer will class instruction be for those who can bully the best position, but will be available for the shy students, the timid students, and the less than motivated students. They will all have an equal chance of gaining valuable experiences to develop their literacy. Highly engaging lessons that motivate students to excel will be developed to use with the use of a document camera. This project not only serves the needs of the general population but also students with learning disabilities, sight restrictions and basic skills will have lessons tailored to their differing abilities through the use of technology that opens doors rather than shutting out students with diverse needs. What else can be done with this technology? I plan to engage students in developing vocabulary through sorting, classifying, and sharing with the class while also developing higher critical thinking skills. I plan to demonstrate writing strategies to assist students in surpassing their potential. The projector can enlarge in color small details such as the contents of a slide from under a microscope, or the moment a caterpillar breaks open the cocoon and becomes a butterfly as well as be used to model and revise writing in full view of the entire class. As I researched this type of technology, I realized the possibilities within a classroom were endless. I watched leaders in the area of teaching reading and writing use the Elmo endlessly at Columbia University this summer at a professional development week of study. The creativity of the teacher using the projector is the only limitation and I have plenty of creativity. Your support of the Elmo document camera would reach more than just this year’s 50 or more students but the students in my classroom for years to come. My classroom serves the needs of diverse learners from varying socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. In addition, the technology provided to this classroom will reduce the reliance of copy machines and handouts making us a greener community by reducing our carbon footprint. I hope you will consider helping my classroom become a new world of learning this year and perhaps inspire the educational community to invest in more dynamic ways of reaching our most in need students.

Never Before Funded 60 students impacted

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Mrs. C. Hammarskjold Upper Elementary School Grades 6-8 E. Brunswick, NJ View local requests Never Before Funded 60 students impacted

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Materials Cost Quantity Total

TT-02S Teacher's Tool • SchoolOutfitters.com $692.10 1 $692.10

Materials cost			$692.10
Vendor shipping charges			$69.21
Sales tax			$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee			$17.30
Fulfillment labor & materials			$17.00
Total project cost			$796.00
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			$174.73
Total project goal			$970.73

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This teacher needs your help!

Lens on Literacy

This project expired on February 1, 2009.

This project expired on February 1, 2009.

Project tagged as

Boost your odds

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

Project Activity

Project Activity

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.