Enhancing Learning with an LCD projector

My name is Debra Salassi. I am a second grade teacher at Washington Elementary. We are located in Kenner, LA in Jefferson Parish. Our little school consists of students from high poverty level neighborhoods. I enjoy using the computer to enhance many of my lessons, but it is hard to show a lesson to my whole class using only my monitor. Some of the other teachers in the school use an LCD projector to display the computer information on a large screen, and the students really benefit. Having a projector will allow the students to create graphs while the whole class is watching. The students will also be able to create presentations and increase their leadership skills by leading the class lesson. I use the computer to teach extension lessons and enhance the curriculum in all areas. We have used the Internet for Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies activities. Being able to portray the information on a large screen will hold the students' attention longer and I will be able to uses more interactive lessons with them. This year, I have 14 students. Usually, my roster is between 15-20 students in a self-contained second grade class. Many of my students have never experienced anything other than what is in their own neighborhoods. Through the use of the computer, I am able to bring the whole world to them and let them experience many things from many lands right in the classroom. The visual activities help the students retain the information that I am trying to teach. Watching their faces light up when they experience something new is the best reward I could receive. I am asking for an LCD projector to enhance my teaching. The Sharp Projector costs $999.98 with free shipping. Please consider my proposal, I want my students to have experiences that go way beyond the regular curriculum. They are like human sponges and are so eager to learn. This projector would really be an invaluable teaching tool. Thank you for your consideration, Debra Salassi