Do you remember what it was like the first time you read a book independently? My students are emerging readers who are so excited to learn, yet need new ways to explore phonics, word building, and word identification.
My first grade classroom is comprised of 100% military dependents.
They are 6 and 7 years old and are learning how to read. They are an amazing group of kids who attend school while their parents serve in Afghanistan, recover at the military hospital from their war-inflicted injuries, or complete their duty to our country. They love learning, have fun making EVERYTHING into songs, and find pure joy in trying to read. I've had parents tell me that their child who wouldn't pick up a book or want to go to school will even carry around chapter books just so people think they are a reader. I want to provide them with every opportunity to flourish and grow. I owe them at least a year of growth and I know that my efforts and partnership with parents and DonorsChoose will allow me to help these emerging readers be readers with great fluency and comprehension!
My Project
We spend a great deal of time with decodable readers, in small guided reading groups, and learning to read. I integrate these skills in all subject areas and allow students to work in enrichment and extension learning centers to complement my efforts. However, interactive and engaging ways like the LeapFrog Tag Readers offer will extend my students' passion and enjoyment of reading allowing me to continue working with my small group. Students can work independently to discover a new story, receive phonemic guidance, and strengthen their own reading with minimal aids to help them transition and become more fluent. This will allow me to continue to meet their needs, help them reach their goals, and do all of this while helping another group. These can be repeatedly used for years to come and will serve my students in so many capacities.
Donations to this request will make a tremendous impact on my students.
I wish our days were longer but since I can't change that, I work hard to use every minute to help my children succeed. I do not want lost learning time and my fast finishers can continue their learning while allowing me to meet the many varied needs in my classroom. While immediately helping my students, it will also equip them with an enriching activity to help them with the lifelong skill of 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 Dr. Morgan and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.