I teach at a Title I school where approximately 54% of our students receive free and reduced lunch. My students come from a variety of backgrounds and have many different life circumstances and experiences. My group of high energy first graders are most engaged when working with their hands and moving while they learn. It is extremely important to keep my young learners engaged throughout the day using a variety of techniques and strategies. My 21st century learners are also engaged when a variety of meaningful tools are incorporated in their everyday learning. My students love connecting with each other through technology tools in the classroom.
It is my mission to create a place where all learners feel welcome and valued and where they get excited about reading and writing.
My students have a wide range of reading abilities, with some severely below grade level and others considerably above grade level. Having more tools in my toolbox to engage all of them while also differentiating for their ability levels is extremely important and this conference will help me augment my skills so I can engage each learner this year and in subsequent years.
My Project
I have heard it said that change is inevitable, but growth is optional. As a first year teacher, I want to grow in my practice for the benefit of my students. I am seeking out the best opportunities for professional growth that will have a direct impact on how I teach reading and writing in my first grade classroom. I am requesting the chance to attend a professional development conference that is designed to provide teachers with hands-on practice with research-based strategies to improve reading comprehension and writing in young learners in grades K-1. I am confident that the “Get your Teach On” conference will equip me with new strategies for teaching reading and writing that will enhance both teaching and learning in my classroom. I am excited to meet with teachers who are also excited about improving the learning environment and instruction for their students and learning from one another.
This conference makes the teacher the learner so that they can experience the strategies themselves in order to better implement them with their students later.
This allows the teachers to learn with and from one another while building teacher connections and a strong professional learning network.
Reading is the building block to all other learning in school. It is extremely important that students are given a strong foundation to reading and writing at an early age. As a first grade teacher, I am responsible for laying the strong phonics, reading and writing foundation for my students. The key for them is a classroom that will provide them with the best strategies to become strong readers and writers.
I would be very honored if you would help me reach this goal so that I can grow in my practice and help my students become stronger readers and writers.
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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 Ms. Self and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
