My school is nestled in a small rural area in western North Carolina. We serve pre-kindergarten through sixth grade students. We have four classes in most grade levels with approximately twenty students per class. Our school has a high Hispanic population. A large majority of our students are bilingual and interpret for their parents. Many of our students receive free and reduced lunch and we currently have a universal free breakfast program. We also have a food backpack program that is supported by local churches and organizations. This program provides food for some of our students and their families on weekends. Our school also hosts a mobile food pantry for the community throughout the year.
My third graders are an energetic and loving group of children!
They are thirsty for knowledge and eager to learn each day. Our class has a collaborative climate. It’s typical to walk into our room and see students scattered all over the place. Some are at computers, some are at desks, and some are working together in groups on the floor. We spend a large portion of our day working collaboratively and learning from each other in small groups.
My Project
My students need an iPad to upload photographs and videos to their student-led portfolios! Students will work together to solve math puzzles and word problems during small group math instruction. After they find the solutions (using manipulatives or white boards) they will use the Ipad to video their explanations. The video will be added to their online portfolios where it then can be viewed for reflection.
I want students talking about math out loud!
I want to hear them explaining (and possibly even teaching) their solutions to each other! There's great value in strategy talks even if the solution is incorrect. For some students discussion is the key to those math "aha moments."
Students would also be able to use the iPad to photograph and video other school work they may want to share at home. Instead of having the usual parent-child "What did you learn today?" conversation at the dinner table, students would be able to go online and show them. It would be a window into their child's school day. (It may even promote math talks at home! Double score!)
Third graders are eager to learn and eager to share. Especially when it involves technology like iPads!
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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. Swaim and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
