From the minute my students walk into the door until the minute they are dismissed, they are engaged, learning, and loving school. As a kindergarten teacher, I am laying a foundation for my students to build upon for many years to come. My students come in each day excited and ready to learn.
I have twenty four students in my classroom who range from five to six years old.
In kindergarten there is always a range of reading levels. Some students come into kindergarten and they have not mastered the letter names and sounds. Other students come into kindergarten as readers. It can be challenging finding centers that students are able to do independently and still meet the variety of learning needs of each child in my classroom. The iPad station is a center my students are able to use independently and at the same time provides the necessary differentiation for their different levels. Kindergarten students love using technology in our classroom.
My Project
By adding three mini iPads to our classroom, my students will have daily access to technology. These mini iPads will be used during our reading centers to practice pre-reading and reading skills. During math, they will be used to practice number sense. With the range of apps available, each student will be able to practice the specific skills that he/she has not yet mastered. Research shows that iPads in early education benefits students. The Napa County Office of Education (NCOE) and NapaLearns have been working with school districts for years, studying the effects of introducing iPads in pre-K and Kindergarten classes, and the results have been very positive. Studies have shown statistically significant gains for fluent English speakers and English learners in language skills, which is an important pre-reading skill (Nemko, Barbara. Letter. “The benefits of tablets in early childhood education.” Napa Valley Register. 01 January 2014. Web. 26 September 2015).
If this project is funded, the students in my classroom will have access to technology daily.
The mini iPads will be used to practice important reading and math skills. Students will have access to a variety of games and apps that are fun and engaging. My students' love for learning will continue to grow as they are using these mini iPads.
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