Completed:Digital Camera for Native American School Newspaper
"I teach fifth grade to Native American students in a high need community. Writing skills are greatly lacking and I am confident that by publishing a school newspaper I can help my students increase their self-esteem and improve their writing skills.
My students have great difficulty in writing. I...
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"I teach fifth grade to Native American students in a high need community. Writing skills are greatly lacking and I am confident that by publishing a school newspaper I can help my students increase their self-esteem and improve their writing skills.
My students have great difficulty in writing. In order to help they improve their writing skills I decided that a school newsletter/newspaper, where students write the articles and take the pictures would motivate my students to improve their writing skills. The newsletter/newspaper will allow the students to build their self-esteem as well as improve their writing skills.
If we were able to obtain a digital camera and memory stick we could make the newspaper even better as well as teach the students how to use a camera. There are a lot of upcoming school/community activities where we could really use a camera (pow-wows, Native American dance competition, etc). Imagine the improvement of the paper if we could add pictures of the events to the articles written by the students.
My students desperately need to improve their reading and writing skills and a quality school newspaper would go a long way towards accomplishing that goal. Your contribution will help a young Native American student improve their self-esteem and their writing skills. Who knows, maybe you'll even inspire them to become a journalist or photo-journalist.
My students need a digital camera and a 2GB memory stick.
See Mr. C.'s class participating in this project!
(Enlarge photos)
Nov 30, 2009
Dear R.W. Oliver, Laura, Tara, Pamela, Gita, Elizabeth, Kate and Jess,
Thank you so much for your generous contributions. It is people like yourselves that help improve schools and open new worlds and opportunities for our students. Without your support my students wouldn't have the camera. It has already helped our school and specifically my students. They all want to use the camera and all of them have learned the proper use and care of the camera.
We have taken hundreds of pictures and are getting ready to publish your first newsletter/newspaper with photographs. Everyone is so excited. Since our students are not very well off our school does not have a yearbook. We will instead be using the camera that you so graciously donated to prepare a retrospective on the school year. My class will not only be using the camera but will be learning how to download and manipulate photos using the computer. Each student in the school will be given a disc with pictures and information about the school year. Every student's picture will be included.
Your contribution has boosted my students desire to take pictures but also their self-esteem as they learn new things that they wouldn't have had the opportunity to do if not for people like yourselves.
Thank you so much for the camera it truly has touched the liefs of dozens of students.
With gratitude, Mr. C.
Mr. C. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Oct 30, 2009
Dear R.W. Oliver, Laura, Tara, Pamela, Gita, Elizabeth, Kate and Jess,
Thank you just isn't enough. My students will be thrilled to have the use of such a nice camera. We've already started our newspaper and the response has been overwhelming. We can't wait to see the student and parent response when we are able to put pictures with our words.
Your thoughtfulness and generosity are truly appreciated. It not only will help my students learn to take pictures but will feed their desire to write the article that will accompany the picture.
Nearly all of my students come from improvised homes and just to know that there are people who care about them and their education builds self-esteem and self-worth. You've done so much for my students. I wish they could tell you in person what this will mean.
Thanks again. You've truly touched student hearts with your gift.
Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.
Jaqui O. (volunteer)
on Sep 22, 2009
Verified the cost of the requested technology and posted this project.
Ryan G. (associate)
on Sep 23, 2009
"I think this a terrific project -- and the costs are quite reasonable. I think some of the kids will just go nuts taking pictures, so this will encourage creativity as well. Good luck!"
"Laura,
Thanks for your generous contribution. We have begun the newspaper and the students are enjoying writing and their writing skills have improved but the camera would add a whole new dimension. Thanks for your generous support."
The teacher Mr. C.
on Oct 29, 2009
"I gave to this project because I think it's a great idea! When I was in high school, participating in the student literary magazine really motivated me, and I'm still editing and creating all these years later. Publications rock and are a really great way to learn about a lot of things. Good luck!"
"Kate & Elizabeth, Thanks for your support. It is greatly appreciated. I'm glad that you (Kate) have had so much success in editing. I'm hoping to motivate my students to write more and hopeful use writing as a springboard to better academic achievement in other areas as well."
The teacher Mr. C.
on Oct 29, 2009
"This looks like a fabulous project and reminds me of my school yearbook days. "
"R.W., Thanks for the support. My students will be elated. I took was on yearbook staff and it really was fun. My students will be very appreciative of your support. Thanks again for your support."
The teacher Mr. C.
on Oct 30, 2009
"I helped because I'm a strong believer in culturally relevant pedagogy."
"Glad to hear the camera is being put to good use -- and that the kids are enjoying it!"
Laura
from Seattle, WA
on Dec 12, 2009
"The students love the camera. We've already used it for assemblies and school functions. Several pictures taken by the students were used in this months school paper. Thanks again for your generous donation."
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Jaqui O. (volunteer)
on Sep 22, 2009
