This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
We have a new rule in my Spanish First-grade classroom: We only speak Spanish. I am amazed about how much my students have come along. Now, they can express themselves and communicate with one another in their newly acquired second language. Our schedule is filled with language-enriching activities.
Our elementary school is a Title 1 school, which, among other things, provides all children who attend our school with a free lunch everyday.
Our school serves students from the surrounding community as well as a large percentage of permit students from nearby neighborhoods. As a result, our students come from different socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
Our school is unique in that it has five Special Education classes, pre-school to sixth grade, for students with learning disabilities and autism. We also have a Resource Specialist Program (RSP) that serves students who have been identified as having mild disabilities and/or learning difficulties, but who are primarily included in general education classes. Approximately 25% of our students are identified as Special Needs students.
Our school offers a 50/50 dual language program, where all students learn English and Spanish. Many of our first graders come from non-Spanish speaking homes. The students in our classes have different language and literacy levels. They have different needs, so they benefit from individual learning opportunities. The limited resources to provide students with differentiated instruction present a challenge.
My Project
A CD player will complete our listening center. In the listening center, groups of four-to-eight students listen to and read-along with books on CDs. Listening to the language, and tracking the print is an effective activity that improves students reading skills, and provides a model of correct pronunciation. Students work independently at the listening center, while the teacher focuses on meeting the instructional needs of a small groups of students.
A cart will help students and the teacher transport the listening center to another classroom/location in the school during Response to Intervention time. During RTI, students are grouped according to their levels, changing classrooms for one hour. Teachers provide instruction at the students' level, helping them meet the standards, or challenging them with above-grade-level material.
A language-rich environment consists of a print-rich classroom, music, books, and audiovisuals.
A new CD player will ensure that my students continue to improve their Spanish through songs and audiobooks. The cart will make it easier for us to move during the school day.
More than a third of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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 Ms. Albela-Silver and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
