My students need 2 portable DVD players so they can hear, see, and sing along to songs that will give them the repetition they need learn basic skills in kindergarten.
Teaching 5-year-old children to read is such a rewarding experience -- but a few find it very difficult to remember those tricky sight words. They need to practice over and over before they master them, and sometimes there just isn't enough time in the day to provide the extra practice they need.
I teach a large class of 25 kindergarten boys and girls in a high poverty Title I school in rural North Carolina.
Although learning is easy for most of them, there are a few who find it very difficult to learn to read because they just can't remember those tricky words that have to be memorized. Most do not have access to computers or other technology at home, but they desperately want to be able to read the words like the rest of the class.
My Project
According to research, children need to hear, see, say, and do in order to have the most success in retaining information. We have some wonderful HeidiSongs DVDs that teach sight words through songs with words and actions. If I had a couple portable DVD players, my neediest students could attach earphones and see, hear, sing along, and do the actions and get the repetition they need to learn those words. The DVD players could also be used for enrichment for those who are ready to learn more challenging words.
The kindergarten year is when the foundation is laid for future learning, and it is so important for every child to develop the skills they need to become readers.
Music inspires and adds fun to building those essential skills. It will also develop listening skills and build vocabulary. This project will allow the children to listen and read and sing -- and work independently while there is no teacher available to practice with them. I can't wait to hear them singing and spelling those words!
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