Technology is the future and the future is NOW. My students have the knowledge of how to use the Internet and apps, however they don't have the resources. With many school districts issuing laptops and tablets to each individual student in the classroom, my students are missing that opportunity.
My students are third graders attending a Title 1 school in New Jersey.
Many of the students are on free or reduced lunch and within the classroom my co-teacher and I have in class support special education with a wide range of learning disabilities.
Our school currently has only one computer in each classroom and a media center with 30 desktops for classes to use on a rotating schedule. We have a mobile cart complete with 30 iPads to share with over 600 students. The use of those 30 iPads is obviously in high demand from kindergarten to fifth grade, and being able to use them as needed or during teachable moments throughout the day is impossible when they are located on the opposite side of the building.
Most of my students don't have tablets at home and light up when it's their turn to practice math or reading on an iPad. Our students are motivated by the use of technology as, even in this 21st century world, is still new to them within a school setting.
My Project
In our classroom we are always incorporating differentiated instruction which allows students to work with other students on the same level. There are countless numbers of apps available to students to provide them with the ability to feel successful working at their own pace and instructional level.
The national Common Core learning standards require students in grade 3 to know their addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts fluently. Apple offers fun, self paced, motivating, and data tracking apps that enable students to gradually move through each concentration to master these facts.
Our classroom library is filled with all genres of reading, series of books, and incredible authors. As I try to keep up with new releases through discounted book fairs and scholastic points, the books are highly "loved" and often require surgery to keep in reading condition. Downloading free or discounted eBooks and online educational magazines will help to keep our library intact.
Our class hopes that you will consider helping us fill this request.
As we are starting with a request for one iPad, our goal is to have more to share. My co-teacher and I would seek ways to incorporate technology across curriculum. Our students would gain independence and self guided learning as well as be able to share their exploration and successes with friends, parents, and the community. Please consider donating to our project and give the gift of 21st century learning.
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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. Jones and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.