"The only way to learn mathematics is to do mathematics." I am a math specialist working with students in grades fourth, fifth, and sixth who struggle in the area of math. I have the challenge of engaging these struggling students and motivating them to feel they are capable of being successful!
I work with fourth, fifth,and sixth grade students in an urban setting who are one to two years below grade level in the area of math.
This is a diverse school with most students receiving free or reduced price lunch. These students do not believe they are capable of being great math students. They have a negative attitude about math and have this idea that they can't be on grade level like their peers. These students come to my classroom everyday for one hour and receive intervention services to help improve their math skills. The students spend thirty minutes with me in small group instruction and then they spend thirty minutes on a computer math site that was purchased by my school called IXL.
My Project
IXL is a computer based site. Each student has their own login. IXL's skills are aligned to the Common Core State Standards providing comprehensive coverage of math concepts and applications. With IXL's state standards alignments, students can easily find unlimited practice questions specifically tailored to each required standard. With the IXL Analytics standards center, it's simple to view student progress towards state standards. The reports in the standards center allow me to quickly identify student trouble spots in math. IXL's inspiring awards and secret treasures make learning exciting! As students work for hours to compete with their friends and uncover new prizes on their game boards, they gain new math skills and confidence along the way.
Practice that feels like play is the best way to motivate my struggling students.
IXL is not just about helping kids master math skills; it's also about helping them enjoy learning. That means encouraging them to have fun, unlike traditional workbooks and exercises. With budgets being low in the school for extra technology, a Chromebook would give more students the opportunity to use IXL! The more opportunities we give students to learn material is very beneficial to them!
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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. Muhammad and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.