My students need two Leapter Explorer handheld learning devices, numerous learning games, headphones, and downloadable app cards for their center time.
"You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, or a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel." My job is to nurture and love some of the most amazing marvels there are. These children; however, have exceptional needs, especially when learning.
My students are in second, third, and fourth-grade, are all placed in a multiple disabilities, self-contained classroom.
They all have exceptional needs ranging from autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, specific learning disabilities, seizure disorders, communication impairments, emotional disabilities, and other health impairments. The majority of my students receive free lunch and live well below the poverty line. But, even without the odds in their favor, they are a resilient, happy, energetic group of children, who make me proud of all they accomplish each day. They have a love of technology, and an intense love of learning. These children give me a reason to wake up each morning, and go to the job that I love so much.
My Project
Every day, my students work so hard to complete seven small group rotations, lasting thirty minutes each. Throughout those seven rotations, students have the opportunity to work on their learning with a teacher, with a peer, and independently. When students are independent, I like to find activities that are the most motivating, and what is more motivating than video games? Using these Leapster Explorers, students will be able to play and learn at the same time, using something that all children inherently love.
Two of the most important factors of being successful, are the feelings of independence and accomplishment.
These Leapster Explorers will allow my students to learn in a fun way, that encourages them to think outside the box, and to act independently. When they are able to do things independently, they are always so proud of their accomplishments.
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