The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery--Mark Van Doren.
Gather round! A table and chairs at which to meet in small groups will give my students the chance to work more closely with me, building confidence and rapport, while allowing for focused, lessons, attention, and discovery.
I teach two 4th grade English/Language Arts classes of about 27 students each in the deep south along the Gulf Coast.
Our school is an upper elementary school serving students in grades 4-6. We have a wide-range of students from all socio-economic backgrounds with a relatively high transient population. Our faculty and staff work tirelessly together to form a positive, inviting learning environment. I am a designated ELL (English Language Learner) teacher, and have many students whose first language is other than English. These students need additional time and attention to give them the exposure to English and reading necessary for them to be their most successful. In addition to my ELL students, my other students range widely in ability and needs: some need more attention in the basics, while others need to be challenged to continue their enthusiasm for learning. Our school is a former high school with individual desks and no real space for small group collaboration.
My Project
Imagine the hustle and bustle of a room of 25-30 students learning at different levels with different needs. They need to be engaged, and some need more time and attention than others to be engaged successfully. It's easy for students to lose focus and have wandering thoughts in a group that large. A small group table with chairs will allow me to provide whole group mini-lessons and guided practice and then to work in needs-based groups of students to help them be successful while those who understand can work independently. Groups need to be fluid: students have different strengths and challenges, and by having a separate area at which I can work with students, I can provide remediation and personal attention as needed with students who have difficulty with the objective being presented. This table will also be used for Literature Circle groups during which students will take an active role in their reading, and Writing groups in which students will collaborate on projects.
Students at this age are often not willing to show that they don't understand what is being taught, or that they need help.
A small group table will allow me to address specific needs more privately, building confidence with students. Students need to feel acknowledged, and each and every child's learning is important enough to warrant some small group time with the teacher. It will provide a safe place for students to practice their crafts of reading and writing without fear of embarrassment.
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 Mrs. Vitale and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
