My students need 4 iPod touch devices to create a listening center in our class where they can listen to stories and engage in educational Apps to extend their learning.
"Long before I wrote stories, I listened for stories. I suppose it's an early form of participation in what goes on. Listening children know stories are there."
I have a room full of 26 first and second graders who are all budding readers and writers.
They attend a Title One school in Northern Colorado with a growing population of English Language Learners. Not all of my students are able to pick up a book and read at an independent level, which is why listening to reading is such a crucial element to their growth as a reader.
My Project
Studies show that children develop fluent reading skills by listening to fluent reading. The four iPod touch devices I am requesting for my classroom will serve to create a Listen to Reading center for our classroom. The individual iPods will allow each child to listen to a story that is of high interest to them. Unlike traditional listening centers where all students must plug into one radio and listen to the same story, my students will have the added benefit of choice in selecting their stories. Choice results in higher interest and engagement levels amongst my students. In addition to listening to stories, students will also be able to use the iPods to access a variety of literacy focused apps which will help them study sight words and spelling patterns in a way that is fun and motivating. Everyday, students in my class will rotate through the Listen to Reading Center during our reading block.
Our listen to reading center will allow my students to read and re-read some of their favorite stories independently.
It provides them with a new and exciting way to engage with written and oral language. Most importantly, it helps me ensure that all of my students can curl up with a story and enjoy it's magical contents any time throughout the day!
More than half 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
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