"Mistakes are portals of discovery" - James Joyce. The Irish author seemed to have an insight into learning disabilities and the need for students to take chances to succeed through discovery; however, students with learning disabilities have become more withdrawn and feel they can't succeed.
The readers I work with are 14-20 years of age and their levels range from 1st grade to just below grade level.
Their struggles also impact the understanding and comprehension; however, when a student has some background or prior knowledge on what is being read, they succeed. More than half the students are receiving free or reduced lunches, come from single family homes, and are of color. There are over 30 languages spoken in the hallways and the student body is over 3,300. The population of students I work with are on receiving services pertaining to learning and emotional disabilities. These disabilities impact their learning and processing in a general education classroom. They require a slower and more non traditional style and method of acquiring information.
My Project
The students in my classroom would benefit from the use of a bluetooth speaker to accompany short clips found on the Internet pertaining to the written material the class is reading (novels, short stories, essays, bio...etc). When I build the students prior knowledge of the material we're reading, they get a better sense of success. The level of frustration is greatly reduced and they are able to absorb the text. Prior to reading the classroom novel, I build the students' background of the subject matter. This is done at times through material I bring in such as articles, books, photos, maps, music, or other various objects; however, the most successful medium I've noticed is the internet. Through the use of a computer, a projector, and a wireless sound system, the students get a chance to go anywhere in world and get to watch clips of famous heroes, far away places, and speeches of historic individuals.
The importance of this addition to our learning environment will greatly increase my students to engage in the reading process.
Students will get the chance to experience a visual and auditory learning process. The end result is to increase their current reading level and have them transition from high school with the tools they need to succeed and be happy. Reading is so crucial in the development of such success.
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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 Mr. Conner and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.