My fifth graders love being challenged and exerting their independence in the classroom. This year we have implemented “Self-Paced Fridays.” This is where students will move their desks in a fashion that might represent chaos to some, but resembles peaceful, working order for them. Once they have all created their independent workspace for the day, I write a list of tasks on the board. Some tasks include taking weekly literacy assessments, unit math assessments, practice problems for math, reading a science or social studies text, or independent reading.
What the students LOVE most about this approach is that they know exactly what is expected from them for the day AND they are able to control the pace.
Need 5 more minutes to study before you take your word study quiz? Okay- take all the time you need! Want to finish both quizzes before PE and finish the entire list before lunch? More power to you! We tried this approach one time on a whim and they instantly jumped on the idea! Some students fly through the list and some students take more time. I am so proud of their reception of this idea and how they have mastered it!
My Project
Where my request ties-in with the compassionate, hardworking, and independent students in my room is I would like an opportunity to implement real-world applications with them! In the real world, most of these students have some aspect of technology at home: a cell phone, an iPad, video gaming system, etc, but less than 3 of them have a Kindle or a device with an e-reader application on it. Why?! Because most gaming apps are free and books cost money!
Research has proven that reading just even 10 more minutes a day could change a child’s academic life.
Kids are most likely to finish books they pick out and pace themselves through reading. So what I am proposing is an opportunity to put real-life reading in their hands. Finish early on Friday with your self-paced work? Que up a book on the Kindle and kick your feet up- ENJOY the process of working hard and enjoying a book. When I am trying to motivate a struggling reader to enjoy a text- I can grab the audiobook file for a story them might be interested in. I’ll keep a set of headphones handy and let them listen along to a story! Think they’ll be excited!? Absolutely!
Once students and parents see what is possible for reading with these devices, then I can see students requesting e-readers and e-books, not just video game consoles for gifts! Not only will students now be interested in choosing a book to read, but they will be doing so in a real-world application. In addition, students will be choosing the texts that I am purchasing- texts that are relevant to them-which makes all the difference! Once I buy texts, I am able to keep them and students can continue to read and enjoy them!
Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet, 7" Display, 16 GB, Yellow Kid-Proof Case
• Amazon Business
$79.99
2
$159.98
Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet, 7" Display, 16 GB, Blue Kid-Proof Case
• Amazon Business
$79.99
2
$159.98
AILIHEN C8 Folding Headphones with Microphone and Volume Control for Cellphones Tablets Android Smartphones Laptop Computer Mp3/4 (Black/Orange)
• Amazon Business
$19.98
1
$19.98
AILIHEN C8 Headphones with Microphone and Volume Control for Cellphones Tablets Android Smartphones Laptop Computer Mp3/4 (Black/Blue)
• Amazon Business
$19.98
1
$19.98
AILIHEN C8 Foldable Headphones with Microphone and Volume Control for Cellphones Tablets Smartphones Laptop Computer PC Mp3/4 (Gray/Green)
• Amazon Business
$19.98
1
$19.98
AILIHEN C8 Headphones with Microphone and Volume Control Folding Lightweight Headset for Cellphones Tablets Smartphones Laptop Computer PC Mp3/4 (Grey/Mint)
• Amazon Business
$19.98
1
$19.98
Materials cost
$399.88
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$6.00
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$435.88
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$76.92
Total project goal
$512.80
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$512.80
5 Donors
-$498.68
Donations toward project cost
-$435.88
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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. Anderson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
