Picture This - A Snapshot of our Rockin' Room!

My Students

"A picture is worth a thousand words," I definitely agree. My students create amazing projects, learn songs to help them remember writing traits, and complete wacky science experiments like 'The Bouncy Egg'. I cannot think of a better way to share these experiences than a CD full of pictures and videos of these moments.

This is my second year teaching in a Title 1 (low income) rural school in Northeast Nebraska.

I have to say that I have some pretty amazing students. They work hard in the classroom, even when they struggle with difficult concepts that are being taught. Many of my students come from single family homes, or homes where both parents must work. Parents are simply not able to come into the classroom and share in their child's learning experiences. They cannot afford to take time off of work. I want to create a "Semester Share CD" for my students and their families. The CD would include pictures of activities that are happening in the classroom, projects that have been created, videos of songs that we have learned, and sneak peaks at wild and wacky science experiments. My hope is by offering this CD to my families, parents can feel connected with their child's education even if they can't leave work to see it first-hand.

My Project

A digital camera will help us capture activities, experiments, songs, and 'ah ha moments' on film. Students will be able to take these pictures home and share them with parents, family members, and friends. They will be able to build a sense of pride in what they are doing in the classroom which will result in them WANTING to participate in hands-on activities. Students will learn more as a result of their participation. Parents who were not able to leave work will no longer miss out on their child's education. They will be able to be more involved in the classroom by actually SEEING what is going on. The gap between home and school can be closed. Students will be happier and will want to accomplish more in the classroom so they can share those accomplishments through their Semester Share CD. I think all parents should be able to be involved in the classroom - even if they cannot physically be there with their child.

I teach in a school where there is little parent involvement.

Not because they do not want to be there, but because they cannot afford to leave work. As a direct result of parents not being able to see what is happening in the classroom, students are losing interest. I want to get these parents excited about what is going on, so they can share that excitement with their child. I want to close the gap between school and home. A Semester Share CD can close that gap!