Student have not yet mastered the art of having a high-level text based conversation because they cannot see or hear themselves and they way the interact with each other!
My 33 students are wonderful and diverse!
They come from various socioeconomic backgrounds and their academic abilities vary greatly as well. I have many high achieving students as well as students that receive extra support from our resource teacher throughout the day. Our school is wonderful and the community is very involved and supportive!
My Project
With these iPod touches students will be able to reflect on their discussions during their book clubs. Students are divided into groups of four and read and discuss a book together as a group. They often struggle to hold high-level text based discussions that allow them to reflect deeply on their reading and thinking. I can only meet with one group at a time. With the iPods student can record their conversations, which will allow them to reflect on their discussions and delve more deeply into the topic at their next meeting. This will also allow me to listen to all of the discussions each time and help struggling groups without having to be physically present during each book club meeting.
Being able to communicate ideas is a skill that is very valuable.
My hope is that as students learn to discuss their reading on a deeper level they will begin to learn to think more deeply about their reading as well. These iPods will not only help students learn to hold a high-level discussion, but will also allow me to help my students much more effectively by letting me essentially meet with all groups at the same time.
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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. Mankiewicz and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.