I teach fifty 4th-grade students in rural Eastern North Carolina. While their locality may seem limiting, their curiosity, imagination, and potential far outreach their regional boundaries. Despite many obstacles, they work tirelessly with optimism and a belief that their current efforts will improve their future.
More than ever it is critical that students who represent varying ethnic, socioeconomic, and other historically oppressed backgrounds, have a seat at the table.
My students know that there are "no shortcuts" and that "everything is earned." We are voracious readers who are curious about the adventures (past, present, and future) that will lead us to build a better tomorrow. I am excited to continue to nurture a love for reading in our classroom!
My Project
Vocabulary is critical to reading success. The Amazon Fire tablets will allow my students to use digital tools such as Quizlet and Newsela to expand their vocabulary and to increase word knowledge of academic-specific content.
"Words are the currency of communication.
A robust vocabulary improves all areas of communication — listening, speaking, reading and writing." ~Francie Alexander
Daily exposure to more complex vocabulary and varied texts will empower my students to be confident and competent readers. These resources will help my most struggling readers receive support by engaging in vocabulary and texts on their level and challenge my stronger readers by revealing more complex reading material.
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