Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
I love my job! Why? Let me tell you why. I teach children who experience learning disabilities in the great city of Chicago. 88% of our students are classified as low income. Our student body is 4% White, 5% Black and 91% Latino. My current case load is 12 students, I expect another in 5-6 in a few weeks.
The reality is, my students are poor, learning challenged, and, face a limited English language vocabulary. We all know that this situation is tough. But, this is America. Heck, my ancestors got off the boat 150 years ago starving, illiterate, dirty and desperate. And, well, here I am.
So, how can I get them to read? For over 6 years, very dedicated teachers have been trying to teach them to visually read, and, it just hasn't been working. So, do I only allow them to enjoy 1st grade level literature? And, now that we have a president who reads, it is ok to carry around books. Thank you Mr. President.
So, here's what I have been doing. I have been writing DonorsChoose grants for two years now and found this forum the most successful avenue to help my students. I have already received a few grants that included ipod shuffles for my students. A few of my students are on their third shuffle. That means that by the end of this year, those students will have enjoyed 75 novels via a really cool audio system.
Oh, I forgot to tell you about the contract my students sign. They get to purchase the shuffles for $10 (and I use the money to purchase audios from www.audible.com). In order to take and keep the shuffle, they must read (listen to) 25 novels within one year's time. And, they do it!
And, you know what? It works! Yes, it works! The majority of my students are at a normal cognitive level; that means they are as smart as you and me. But, they still cannot retain 3-5 letter words. Giving them these devices to enjoy books like The Lightening Thief series by Rick Riordan, The City of Ember series by Jean DuPrau, and The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney has enabled them to improve in numerous areas of their life.
First, they feel cool with this 21st century device in their ears. I have to admit it, the kids have to feel cool, (things have not changed since we were kids).
Next, after they finish the book, they take a test on Sylvan's www.bookadventure site...and they pass it! They have understood the characters, the plot, the lesson presented. They beam, you should see their faces.
Then, they walk out of my room and into their regular education classes, chest out, feeling empowered. I have even heard them discussing books with their non-disabled peers, kids discussing books, wow!?!?!
Finally, their visual reading is improving. Really! I don't know why, but even if they cannot follow along with the novel, their visual reading is improving. Isn't that amazing?
So, here you have it. A simple little $50 device that has all that power? The power to improve my students emotionally, socially, and academically. US Cellular (Chicago White Sox) purchased 16 shuffles for my students just 6 months ago. I thought that was enough, but the other struggling readers came to me and asked to join the program of listening to 25 novels via the shuffle...and all 16 are all gone! I have 5-6 students coming to me within the next few weeks and I am cleaned out! So, can you help me? my students?
Oh, the larger, newer, a bit more expensive shuffle is for one student who is aiming for reading 25 novels by Christmas. I'll do the Math for you: 25 novels, June 1-Dec.25... That's almost 4 novels a month!
Thank you!
