Did you know that the top 10 in-demand jobs in 2010 didn't even exist in 2004? As a teacher, how do I effectively prepare my students for jobs that don't exist? I believe technology is a major key. Sadly, my students do not get very much time to use computers. That is why I am asking for your help.
I am a 7th and 8th Grade Science teacher at an inner city school of about 450 students.
Of those students, 86% receive free or reduced lunch. A unique challenge that our school faces is that we have received 160 Burmese refugees from Thailand within the past two years. Many of which have never been in school before.
We no longer have a newcomer science teacher so I will have all of the Burmese students in my classroom with my general and special education students. In a classroom you have many different ability levels, now I will have even more. The great thing about the laptop computer is that it will not only be able to help my Burmese students, but everyone in my classroom. Technology is one of the great things that can help EVERY ability level.
My Project
Our ESL students are progressing extremely fast and one of the many reasons why this is possible is through Rosetta Stone, which is a computer program. The only problem with having the students on Rosetta Stone is that it limits the use for all other classes. We have three computer labs but it is almost impossible to get into them due to testing, ESL classes, typing classes, and AR. So far, I have only been able to get my classes into a computer lab for three days.
I do what are called contracts in my class. Basically, it is a way for students to learn the material the way they learn best. They can answer questions from the book, do word searches, crosswords, research questions on the computer, or they chose many other activates. My students LOVE doing the computer activities. We have three computers in our classroom, but it still isn’t enough. Unfortunately, only a third of my students get to use a computer when we work on our contracts during class.
Last year my state decided they must cut 300 MILLION dollars from our schools.
They are now talking about even more cuts. We didn’t have the money before so how do we get the technology for our 21st century learners? As a result I am writing to seek YOUR help in providing additional resources for my students. If we get the help we are seeking, we can make a big difference in the lives of these students.
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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. Crozier and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
