Supporting Struggling Readers (Classroom Project at DonorsChoose.org)

Supporting Struggling Readers

Classroom project requested by Ms. C. on Dec 21, 2006

High Poverty

New York (State)

Where is the classroom located?

"The Grandview Elementary School, located in Rockland County, New York, is home to 450+ K-3 students. Our building houses six special education classes and two social communications (autistic classes) as well as regular education classes. A high-needs district, 90% of our students receive free lunch..." more»

As the Library Media Specialist, I meet with every class in our building on a weekly basis. The disparity in reading levels among children in each class is significant. However, many children who struggle with reading are able to understand written content if it is read to them. While students should be reading literature which is at their independent reading level for recreational and independent assignment tasks, they miss the rich vocabulary and stories that are accessible to more capable readers. The literacy gap continues to widen as these children lag behind their peers.

The purpose of this grant proposal is to make grade-level books accessible to struggling readers.

Designed for grades 2 through adult/college reading levels, the Reading Pen is a fully portable, self-contained assistive reading device that is designed to provide people with reading difficulties, learning disabilities or dyslexia.

Used just like a yellow highlighter, the Reading Pen allows a student to scan a word he or she has difficulty recognizing, hear it spoken aloud through the integrated speaker or headphones, and see it displayed in large characters on the built in screen. If hearing the word spoken is not sufficient to recognize it, the student can see the word broken down into syllables and have a simple definition displayed and read aloud.

I would like to purchase 10 "Reading Pens." The Reading Pen would be used within the library program, during recess, before school, after school and could also be signed out for classroom use.

hide»

The cost of 10 Reading Pens from Nasco is $3414, including shipping and fulfillment. details»

Dec 5, 2007 Kristina T an intern at donorschoose.org

Packaged the thank-you letters written by Ms. C.'s students and sent them on to the eligible donor(s).

Aug 27, 2007 Emily D a staff member at donorschoose.org

Purchased the technology for Ms. C.'s classroom and notified the school principal of delivery.

Jun 21, 2007 Ms. C. the Teacher

Dear Coryat Family, Ryan and matt,

The technology provided by this grant will make research projects for struggling readers possible! These pens will allow these students to independently access reference materials and nonfiction books which have been "off limits" in the past. Thank you for helping our children build their content and background knowledge as they work to become independent, on grade level, readers.

Reply to the classroom

On Nov 27, 2007, Ms. C. followed this note with student letters sent via mail to the donor who completed this project, and to donors who gave $100 or more.

Jun 20, 2007 DonorsChoose.org

Good news: Project fully funded!

Apr 24, 2007 Coryat Family gave from Santa Barbara, CA

Jan 2, 2007 matt gave from New York, NY

Jan 2, 2007 Ryan gave from New York, NY

Dec 28, 2006 Lauren S a staff member at donorschoose.org

Verified the cost of the requested technology and posted this project.

Dec 28, 2006 Lauren S a staff member at donorschoose.org

Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.

Please notify our staff of any messages or photos of concern.

Dec 21, 2006Ms. C. - Teacher

Project Details

Materials	Vendor	Price	#	Total
READING PEN, BASIC EDITION	Nasco	$250.20	10	$2,502.00

Vendor Shipping Charges
State Sales Tax
3rd Party Payment Processing Fee
Fulfillment Labor & Materials
Project Cost Excluding Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$2,838.23
Optional Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$623.03
Project Cost Including Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$3,461.26
3 Donors				-$3,461.26
To Go				$0.00