Diversity is defined as having variety, but I define it as my students. In just one classroom of 21 five year olds, variety is the name of the game. We may have different cultural backgrounds, skin colors, and may even speak different languages, but we are a family. My students exude creativity, kindness, and an eagerness to learn. I learn from my students every day about love and friendship.
My students are resilient, and their capacity to overcome the societal and institutional obstacles they face on a daily basis fills me with pride.
60 percent of students who attend my school qualify for free or reduced lunch. I have seen students come to school with no coat, backpack or basic school supplies. Yet they arrive eager to learn! We have an extremely high EL population at our school, with many of those students being new to country. Some of these students have never set foot in a classroom in their entire lives, and here they are thrust into a brand new cultural experience. Yet they manage to laugh and play and learn with their peers.
In summary: My students are the most inspiring people I have ever met.
My Project
With the addition of iPads into our classroom, my students can gain academic skills in an engaging and independent way. My students will use these iPads to explore and collaborate with other students in a variety of subject areas. Students will utilize writing, phonemic awareness, reading, and mathematic applications to become more proficient in these subject areas. Along with the academic benefits this technological exposure will also help prepare my students to learn how to be a responsible digital citizen.
With access to this technology, my students will be able to increase literacy and mathematic skills needed for future success.
Working independently on numerous literacy apps, my students can get immediate feedback on their work while I work with small groups of students on reading skills. This immediate feedback not only helps students learn faster, but more accurately-creating a more proficient student. Making mathematics more engaging through the use of technology will give these digital natives motivation to learn. The possibilities with our classroom iPads are endless, and our future is brighter than the iPad screen.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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 Ms. Spellacy and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
