Hocus Focus! Historical Literacy for Middle Schoolers
We need 10 14" Acer Chromebooks in order to have unlimited access to " Historical Investigative" research while also promoting the acquisition of literacy in our social studies classroom.
My students are from a wide array of socio-economic and culturally diverse backgrounds.
50% of them have free and reduced lunch and 20% of them have special needs ranging from simple 504's to extensive IEP's. A majority are limited in their knowledge and understanding of technology and how it can ultimately improve their academic success. Their diverse socio-economic status, also often times limited their ability to have access to technology at home, therefore making the school the only place for them to gain hands-on experience in the twenty-first-century classroom.
Students who are at-risk, ESL learners as well as those who are average learners or Honors level all can benefit from having unlimited access to life-changing technology and more importantly, being able to experience first hand how that access can positively impact their academic careers. Students who are varied in ability levels can work together in "Historical Scene Investigation" groups or conduct required research in class, while fact-checking their hypothesis in real time to complete an assigned task for a research paper, Enduring Issues Essay or online forum debate using mediums such as Google classroom, Schoolology, and TodaysMeet.com.
For the at-risk learner and ever-increasing ESL population, access to technology helps promote better usage of on-task time and valuable language acquisition through providing a whole emersed learning experience. Unlimited access to technology in our social studies classroom promises to help increase each student's desire for life-long learning as we become more connected with the curriculum and with each other.
In Their Own Words
With increasing class sizes and only one teacher, having a computer would allow us to do further research and fact check out answers so we can become more independent learners. When writing essays, computers (Chromebooks) are helpful because again, we can be more independent with the tasks assigned by the teacher. It is easier to write about things that you understand and can define yourself.
Creating this project has allowed us to speak out and to speak up to become advocates for our own learning. Leadership and independent learning go together. Giving students the opportunity to own our learning activities independent of the teacher helps promote more self-confidence in school, with peers and in many other aspects of learning.
Our school and our classes have an increasing ESL population. We have many students who are emergent learners in our regular classrooms. Computer access is a good way to help students who have trouble understanding English, as well as those who are shy about expressing their ideas with peers to feel more confident. Students are better able to relate to social studies by working individually with sources and at our own pace. The computers can give all of us the chance to seek out our own sources helping our learning be easier so we all can be more successful, together.
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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 Mrs. Ingold and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
