My students need 4 Nook eReaders to support small group reading and technology integration.
$774 goal
This project expired on November 15, 2011.
This project expired on November 15, 2011.
My Students
Year after year I ask myself, "What else can I do to promote the love of literature in every reader -- even the most reluctant?" This year, I turned my thinking inward & asked, "When is reading the most exciting and addicting to ME?" I figured it out. Make it SOCIAL & include the latest TECHNOLOGY.
My fourth graders are digital natives.
They can navigate the Internet with the greatest of ease, teach their parents how to install their new gaming systems, and have mastered the art of television on demand. At our public school, their is a huge emphasis on independent reading and deep thinking about literature, both of which are essential to helping students reach the standard of learning to which we teach. As a national model of excellence, our school routinely exceeds the minimum standard of performance set by the state of Florida. However, at the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year, I found (via anonymous poll of my 60 students) that only 44% of my students said YES, they liked to read. Six percent said NO, and 49% said only sometimes. Wow. My heart sank. I knew I had to do something to intervene. Without the love of reading, we are merely creating a generation of "because I have to" readers, who will inevitably stop once reading is no longer required of them each day.
My Project
I saw my students engagement in their reading times skyrocket on the days we were able to use computers for literacy activities. I witnessed their "Books I Want to Read" lists grow every time they heard a "Book Blessing" (short oral recommendation) from me or a recommendation from a friend. I am confident that, by combining these two elements -- social interactions and technology -- I will be able to hook students on books. My vision begins with a small group of students and I gathered around a single ereader. In this first meeting, we'll preview a few ebooks and choose a title for our club to share. In our next meeting, every child will have their own ereader to hold and manipulate. We will gather in a comfy reading corner and get lost in the eInk. At the end of each chapter/section, we'll discuss, predict, reflect, & they'll beg for more time to read that day. Meanwhile, other readers will jealously watch as they sit on pins & needles for their own chance.
Can you imagine a day when every young reader BEGS for a turn to read???
That's my idea of heaven. With this project, I will finally be able to get my readers EXCITED about good quality, rich text, classic children's literature. As we share these titles, I know my students will not only be able to apply the reading strategies & skills I'm teaching each day, but they will truly look forward to curling up with an ebook. They will ask for one for their birthday & beg to read all summer long.
More than a third of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
48 students impacted
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