My students need these laptops in English class to help research information for class debates, persuasive and explanatory essay writing, and word studies.
My students are hard-working bunch of kids. They come to school eager to learn and put forth their best effort, despite the fact that over 80% of them qualify for free or reduced lunch, and over 15% are homeless or in the foster system. Our school has an extremely diverse student population with African-American and Latino students making up over 65% of the population, as well as a large and varied immigrant population who help bring the total number of languages spoken on our campus to 18.
The diversity at my school and in my classroom is tuly a blessing.
I see daily examples of students making connections with and learning from other regardless of their differences or backgrounds. In my 10 the grade English class our Essential Question that embodies many of our readings and discussions is, "Can progress be made without conflict?" when I had this question in mind, I was certain that the answer was no, of course your need a conflict to create any type of change. However, over and over, my students bring up the same point. Its about the word "conflict" because, they say, " a diffference isn't necessarily a problem."
My Project
My 10th grade English students are part of the Law Academy here on our school campus. In English class they have the opportunity to participate in mock trials, study controversial Supreme Court decisions, and formally debate real issues in our society. These activities are ones that require thorough research in order for students to really understand the issue and form their own opinions. Unfortunately, many of my students do not have computer or internet access at home, and in a school as large as ours, scheduling class time in the computer lab is not always possible.
These laptops would give my students the opportunity to understand and form opinions about current social justice topics in our society.
With such knowledge and understanding, they can prepare persuasive speeches for classroom debates, learn how to incorporate credible evidence, and practice other important research skills. Moreover, as budding law students, they will have ample opportunities to use the laptops to delve into the issues facing our country and the world and begin to form their own opinions based on online research.
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