How do you make reading relevant to 21st Century students? You entice them with the technology they love! Many of my students come to me receiving Title 1 services and not enjoying reading. We all know that reading is the key to success in the world. I want to join their world and provide eReaders.
My second and third grade students are the best in the world, in my humble opinion.
They love active learning. We attend school in Minnesota. We are a public charter school in our 11th year of operation. Every year my students seem less engaged with the more traditional delivery of instruction. This year I have tried very hard to add more technology projects and ways to complete tasks through technology (blogging, etc.). They have become energized by the use of technology and I want to extend this excitement to reading. As I stated previously, many of my students receive Title 1 services in reading. They can spend hours connected to a video game with total recall of each move that was made. When it comes to reading, they loose interest rapidly and can't remember anything they have read. Many of them say they don't like reading! I believe they will become much more engaged in reading if they have a device like an eReader.
My Project
I will use these eReaders during small group reading instruction. They will allow me to load several levels of books and be able to have multiple copies of books available to my small groups. My students presently have reading levels from early kindergarten to seventh or eight grade. I want to be able to have multiple copies available and have students "chomping at the bit" to get their hands on an eReader during small group reading time. I will also be able to use these eReaders during choice reading time during the day. I believe this will also take the stigma out of reading a "low" level book for those struggling readers. The "book" will look the same as every other book! I think the biggest gift my students will receive is learning to read, on their own terms, with technology.
I believe learners today learn differently than previous generations.
The world they will enter once they leave the classroom is not yet known. I want to prepare my students for the future and give them every advantage possible. These eReaders will help provide the vehicle to carry them along with my reading instruction. Bottom line is, they need to be able to read and I need to do everything in my power to get them excited about reading.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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 Mrs. Patch and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.