Modeling good reading and writing is essential, but my classroom only has an outdated, dim overhead projector to use for doing so. Students need one-on-one help with editing and revision, but it is very time consuming. A document camera would allow me to show this process to the entire class.
I teach about ninety students who are sixth graders in a high poverty area.
We are Title 1 and a GEAR UP school. Many of my students are English Language Learners. Of those English Language Learners, a large percentage of them are U.S. born students who have not yet reached English language proficiency.
My Project
My classroom has a multimedia projector. I use it to project powerpoint lessons. Having an ELMO camera would allow me the ease of giving immediate feedback.
With and ELMO document camera, I could take my students through the writing process of editing and revising their work. Students who lack English proficiency would benefit from the projecting of strong peer models.
Furthermore, the document camera would be used to take them through the lessons in their workbooks. Many of my students rely heavily on visual aides. By projecting the textbook/workbook and giving guided instruction, I could make the assignments more accessible to them.
Finally, I could model "what good readers do" by projecting a text and taking them through the strategies that "good readers do" such as making predictions, clarifying, making connections, questioning and visualizing. I could also better teach them how to use context clues to understand unfamiliar words and also model academic vocabulary.
My students are eager to read and write, but many of them are weak in academic vocabulary and their ability to write proficiently.
With the generous donation of an ELMO document camera, I would make reading and writing exciting and fun! They would have much more "buy in" if they see their own work being used as examples and models. Being able to use the ELMO camera with the projector I possess would make the work come alive! The engagement soars when technology is used to enhance learning.
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