Making Math and Language Arts Fun!!

I teach a 1st and 2nd grade combination class in a low-income, high-needs community. Our families are very focused on learning and our school focuses on teaching the standards. Our students are very enthusiastic about learning and enjoy being at school.

This year, I am teaching 1st and 2nd grade. Since we are standards based, I never teach both groups at the same time. I teach one group while the other group works independently. Then we switch and the group I started with works on what I taught while I teach the other group. I have a fantastic group of students who are independent workers. They are quick learners and are always ready to learn. Believe it or not, this has caused a problem! They are flying through all work that is assigned to them! Recently, another class loaned us a Didj. I rarely see students get as excited about learning as they did when they started using the Didj. They were talking about their learning as they were walking out to recess!

After seeing their enthusiasm for the Didj, I knew I needed to figure out a way to find these for the classroom. A Didj is a hand held video game-like system that intertwines learning and video games. The game incorporates math facts, fractions, spelling patters, punctuation, etc. into playing the game. The greatest thing about the Didj is that it can be personalized! For example, I can hook it up to my computer and load grade level specific math facts or spelling patterns that they students would practice while playing the game. This game will help them to memorize their math facts, practice identifying and using fractions, using correct punctuation and improve their spelling.

Please, help these students become more confident and comfortable with Math through memorizing math facts. With your help, they can become better writers by using correct spelling and punctuation. Your support will help them to be more confident students. Help me show my students that learning really is fun!