I really have said this and my students repeat the silly but true quote when their hard work disappears or is halted with out of date technology. This iPad mini will be a wonderful start to a traveling technology lab. No more sticks!
Gifted and talented children truly think differently and need a way to explore, express, and create with up to date technology.
Our school is located in a very rural area. We can literally hear cows, horses, and chickens from the dirt and gravel parking lot! Because there is a misconception that gifted students will be "fine" because they are "smart," they are truly left out of most funding. This iPad mini is a baby step toward creating a technology lab that will actually work and meet the needs of children who live outside what others see as "normal." It will show my students that someone values their way of learning.
Imagine working for weeks on a project at your job, and having the technology you are using die or run so slowly you can't get it finished. Because I don't give grades, my students are motivated by their own progress, success and failure. Having working technology is key to allowing them to share with us what is happening in their minds.
My Project
We recently went to the Apple Store on a field trip and began the following projects. A fire was started and I don't want it to be drowned by frustration.
We wrote stories for iBooks Author for publishing. So many students are excited at the prospect that someone may actually purchase their book! One of my favorites is a story written by a 3rd grader about war from the perspective of the wheels on a tank. The ending will surprise you!
I have several students record their own original songs and music and would like to continue. We creating a jingle for our "Cookie Cafe" store to advertise our cookie sale!
Animation is very tedious, but worth it when you see your work edited with sound effects and voice over. These guys want to create more!
"UpCycling" is very popular in my classroom. These students take discarded clothing and turn it into something useful. They found a design program which will help them create even more pieces.
These kids have so many fund raising ideas for our classroom and truly believe in working for what they get.
I know they would be excited and motivated even more with a piece of technology that actually works for them. I want my students to know that other people value their unique way of thinking.
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 Mrs. Lackey and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.