My students need 3 Smart Pens and the special notebook paper for the pens to assist them with taking notes and tests in social studies, math, reading and science.
Our K through 5 school in Alabama is a Title I school with over 1,000 students. Located in a rural community, approximately 54% of our student population qualifies for the free breakfast and lunch program, and a large number of our students lack adequate if any health insurance.
Dyslexia can affect 80% of all children who struggle with reading.
Currently I have 26 students who have been identified as dyslexic by The Scottish Rite.
My students range in grades one through five and their dyslexia ranges from mild to severe. These highly intelligent, hardworking children can engage in class discussions, can think outside the box, are often star athletes, and are positive role models in their classes.
However, their academic progress is greatly hindered by their inability to read grade level material with fluency and accuracy, to take notes during class lectures, to complete tests independently, and to keep up with the teacher while notes are being given. There are several children whose parents cannot read or who are non-English speakers. As a result it is not possible for them to receive help at home with any assignment that requires reading especially when their notes are incomplete and confusing to the student.
My Project
Long Live Independence! Live Scribe pens will level the field for dyslexic students. These kids struggle to take notes during teacher instruction for a variety of reasons: the inability to spell with accuracy; the inability to recall how to form letters; the actual mechanics of handwriting is difficult (dysgraphia); the inability to copy; the inability to process oral information and to convert it into written form. Often students are unable to read their notes, making studying impossible. These pens will allow students to "keep up" and to take notes that are accurate so that they can review them as often as needed. This will increase their comprehension and retention of key concepts. In addition, these pens can be used by teachers who can record questions. A "tap" will read those questions to the student who can then answer either using the pen or by recording their answer. Then the teacher "taps" to hear the student's response.
These Live Scribe pens will allow these highly intelligent dyslexic students to review, comprehend, and retain key information from the curriculum.
Kids will be able to show what they know. Class notes will now be meaningful rather than a series of meaningless, misspelled words with random, often confusing illustrations. Tests can be taken just like everyone else - independently. This will give these kids the confidence they need to excel and to believe that they can achieve.
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