When are we most engaged? When we are presented with new ways of thinking, new ways of working, and learning doesn't feel like learning because we are so busy having fun. This becomes even more important in our inclusive classroom, where my students LOVE to use new technology to do their work.
I have an amazing group of fifth graders who live in a warm and welcoming small, close-knit community.
In fact, we have just one elementary school for the entire district! My inclusion classroom really feels like a family. They take care of each other, help their peers, and enjoy every second of their learning together. What's really exciting is that their love for reading and writing are constantly growing. We are a Title 1 school and their backgrounds vary, but they all show up ready to learn each and every day. As students set their goals at the beginning of the year, there was one common theme: all students want to succeed so that they can be well prepared for middle school next year! Their positive attitudes are contagious, and they really make me look forward to each day in the classroom.
My Project
Each day during reading, students complete different rotations or centers. During this time, students can be found working on reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar, and more. One of the rotations is guided reading, which is when students are working in a small group with the teacher. We're reading together, practicing reading skills and strategies, and having wonderful discussions about reading. Students are writing down questions, predictions, vocabulary words, and more. Boogie Boards will give students a fun and engaging platform to record and share their responses. Additionally, students can use Boogie Boards to practice their vocabulary words, spelling words, and even engage in cursive writing practice, which continues to be a state standard in Virginia. Students will be engaged in their learning and their practice will be meaningful because they are using a unique platform for their practice.
This will not only help to ensure that students are engaged, it will also help our school to use less paper.
We easily go through 200 pieces of paper per week for the practice activities that students can complete on the Boogie Boards. In the short term, this will be a resource that students WANT to use, which will result in their WANTING to learn, which means that meaningful practice will take place. In the long term, this will be a resource that helps to save the trees!
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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. Ostrander and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
