IdeaPaint: Extending My Classroom Learning and Writing Space!
My students need idea paint, dry erase markers, and erasers to extend our classroom. This will allow for a lot more collaboration and extend our classroom to the world.
Imagine a classroom with extended learning areas! Imagine a room with whiteboards on all surfaces where students can record ideas, sketches, diagrams, drawings, and more. Writing on your tables and desks and on all walls? Yes! Imagine being able to use pads to capture everything for many purposes!
Our school is in an urban area.
The student population is very mixed. Some families may be doing fine, but others are struggling financially. My students are very inquisitive, curious, and love hands on learning. The students are eager to be engaged and share their learning, in the classroom and out into the WORLD. I try hard to design experiences that are rigorous and relevant and make the students want to learn the material. I am trying to incorporate more writing into science as well as global collaboration for my students. My students love using technology and we are part of an upcoming district pilot program to integrate iPads into the science room. I am excited about the possibility of collaborating with each other in the classroom, and being able to share with students all over the world. I have learned how much I myself can learn from other professionals when we network together. This will be an opportunity for my students to gain these important technological skills.
My Project
Our classroom will be using IDEAPAINT to make surfaces that we can write on and then erase. Students can diagram the dissection of a cow eye on a desk or wall and then take a picture of it for a blog post, and Edmodo post, or Skype! Science is all about recording data and Idea Paint will help make that 'cool.' Once the information is drawn or written, students can take pictures with their iPad and it will be stored in their digital portfolio.
The different colored dry erase markers. erasers, and solution will also be important for this process. When students only have one color, or have to share markers it slows down the process and is the finished product is much better when they can use color to illustrate the information. We will be able to share our IdeaPaint photos/videos with students anywhere in the world through Edmodo, blogs, or Skype. Social media allows for an exchange of ideas with other students. Learning becomes much more meaningful & exciting to kid when it is social.
With IdeaPaint surfaces and markers, my students can be engaged in writing and recording data.
They can extend learning to more places in the classroom. Pairing IdeaPaint with our upcoming iPads will extend and connect students and their learning to the world. I believe the best learning involves hands on projects and interaction. This DonorsChoose project will allow those key processes to take place. I am most appreciative of any help, and thank you for considering my project!
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. Gilchrist and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
