Technology is here to stay. Students are engaged and captivated by the increasing amounts of technology being offered to them. The more interactive a child's learning, the more engagement they will have, and the more learning they will achieve.
I teach in a diverse classroom in which 56% of my class are English language learners.
25% of my students are also struggling readers who read below grade level. While our school offers access to math and reading practice online at home, many of my students cannot afford access to the Internet to make use of these resources. During our one session per week in the computer lab, I notice that these students are behind the other students in knowing how to navigate websites and use the games and activities. Tablets are becoming more available, but are still out of reach, financially, for many of my students. I believe we have an obligation in our schools to help equalize this technology gap and provide exposure to technology tools for all of our students.
My Project
My students need more access to technology to help with reading, math, and science. Students will use apps to learn sight words and read books online. The more sight words a student knows, the more books they will be able to access. Our new math curriculum moves at a fast pace and the tablets would help offer differentiated practice for students who struggle. Students will use the Moby Max and Happy Numbers programs to help them with skills they are currently missing, such as counting, reading numbers, and composing and decomposing numbers. These programs are targeted to a student's individual level and provide lessons and practice to increase their math skills. Students will also use apps like Brain Pop to learn about science topics such as insects, weather, solids and liquids. A first grade language standard requires students to “make use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding”.
Over 100 students will benefit because we share resources across all 1st grade classrooms.
This project will help increase independent learning in my classroom by providing an additional resource for students to practice math and reading. It will help close the technology gap for students who cannot afford computer/Internet access at home. It will also increase engagement and provide a differentiated way of teaching math, science, and reading in the classroom.
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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. Tayag and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.