Don't Count Us Out Yet! We Want to Learn How to Read!
My students need year long subscriptions to Learning A-Z including raz-kids, vocabularya-z, writinga-z, and Headsprout to increase their reading skills.
Imagine a class of high school students, all social butterflies who have a great deal to say and share with the world. Now imagine that not one student in that class of active, vibrant high schoolers can read beyond a third grade level. That is my class, and most can't read beyond pre-primer.
My students are AMAZING.
They are high schoolers empowered to do their best, but are limited by their intellectual, or multiple disabilities. My class is enrolled in a NYC Specialized School in a high poverty area of the South Bronx. They face cognitive, physical, and emotional challenges that many of us will never have to encounter, everyday. They are brave, resilient, eager to learn, and come to school with a positive attitude each and every day.
Due to their cognitive deficits, and various disabilities compounded by dyslexia, delayed auditory processing, etc., the majority of my students have never learned to read. Those who learned, haven't been able to surpass a third grade level. Most of my students can identify and spell their first and last name, and a few basic sight words, but they are not able to engage in the high school curriculum unless it is read to them. My students, however, are motivated to become readers and can do so with the help of these programs.
My Project
With the addition of new chromebooks in my classroom for next year, and the realization of 1:1 computer to student correspondence, I wanted to utilize this opportunity not only for projects, but for practice with reading. Raz-kids and Headsprout are online interactive, student led programs that will enable each of my students to practice their reading at their own levels and at their own pace. This will be a crucial tool that has never been made accessible to my students. The websites are engaging and thorough and will help to increase motivation for the daunting task of word work and reading comprehension for my students.
Writinga-z and Vocabularya-z are two web-based initiatives that I have used before. They allow me as a classroom teacher to create specific lessons that will be relevant to my students in an engaging and thorough manner. They will be an asset to my students in their endeavors for success in English-language arts.
"Non-reader" is a term widely used in the special education world, and I personally, cannot stand it.
My students may not currently know how to read, but that does not mean that we should not engage them in attempts to become readers. These programs will help to eliminate that label from their environment as they succeed on their individual and class use. This program can be a life changer for my students. We thank you graciously in advance for your support!
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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 Ms. Fargnoli and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
