Learning to read is the most critical skill needed to help students gain success in school and in life. I teach first grade in an urban school district in Iowa. Our population consists of around 40% English Language Learners, as well as a large percentage of low income students and some students with special needs. Many of our English Language Learners are refugee children who have come to Iowa from war torn countries. These students come to us without any previous experience with letters and books.
Because of the lack of materials in my building, I often find myself purchasing materials that are needed to teach basic academics. Hands on learning is needed to teach not only English Language Learners, but also students who struggle with learning to read because of a lack of exposure to letters and books at home.
I would like to have a set of magnetic letters for each student in the class. Magnetic letters can be used in a large number of ways to help students understand the way letters work together to form words. They can also be used as a guide to assist students in learning to write the letters correctly. Allowing each student to have their own set will guarantee that every student in the classroom has an opportunity to manipulate letters and make words every day. Using magnetic letters in the classroom will supply students with the hands on materials that they need to make sense of the way our alphabet is used to build words and sentences. The possibilities are endless when using magnetic letters to help build fluent readers.
By donating magnetic letters to my classroom you will make it possible for my students to manipulate the letters of the alphabet into ways that will help them gain an understanding of how letters work together and begin reading. Soon they will be reading on their own and gain a love for books. Becoming a fluent reader will help the students become successful in all other aspects of school and life!
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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 Mrs. Bowen and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.