This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Currently, I am teaching sixth graders in a Title I school, where 90% of our students are receiving free and reduced rate lunch due to their low socioeconomic statuses. I have been teaching at my school for nine years. I have known most of my students since they were little and taught many of their siblings and cousins. My school and students are like my family. I really care for them, and I want them to succeed.
Being here as long as I have, I see how much my students struggle financially, and the problems that they have to endure; therefore, I am always looking for ways to help them so they can be successful.
Currently, I teach multiple subject areas: English language arts, science, and math to about fifty sixth graders. Since I understand my students' struggles, I know how important it is for me to push and help them become better and do better.
Teaching them multiple subjects, I have to work harder in getting the tools they need to learn and be engaged.
My Project
My goal for my students is for them to become 21st century learners by using technological tools to teach them all the subjects. I teach science, math, literacy, and research classes to 6th graders. Being located in the Miami area, many of my students come from high poverty homes where some of them can barely afford the basics. In addition to their financial problems, many come from other countries learning English as a second language. They come from countries that have economic, political, and natural disaster problems. They came to Miami for survival and to have better a life. We have received many students from Puerto Rico that were displaced from their homes and native lands because of Hurricane Maria. In addition, my school has suffered damages to the technology and supplies from Hurricane Irma. We are still trying to recover from those damages.
As a result of my students dealing with so much from financial problems to being displaced from Hurricane Maria, my students are struggling with their learning.
Therefore, I need to find ways to support them with their learning and use innovative ways of connecting them to all of the learning modalities. This will help increase their engagement and retention in learning.
I plan to use the digital cameras and hard drive to provide my students with hands-on activities, while helping them be part of the 21st century world of digital learning. My students would be able to create videos, take photos of their work, and become digital storytellers. They would be able to video live science experiments, interview people, reenact stories, create original drama pieces, video journal or blog, teach and solve math problems, and so much more. I know that my students would benefit, be engaged, and increase their learning in all subjects!
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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 Ms. Readon and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
