My students need a set of nine Samsung Chromebook 3 devices in order to practice reading and writing strategies that will improve their abilities to be successful in academics and their career.
I teach at an alternative high school that usually has 95 to 120 at-risk students. The school was created to help struggling students who are overwhelmed for a variety of reasons, and who are in danger of failing or dropping out of high school. Based on the definition of disengaged/disconnected youth presented in the Dalio Foundation Report (2016), 95% of current students who come to our school from the traditional high school setting were either failing at least two classes, attending less than 85% of scheduled calendar school days, or had been suspended from school on at least two occasions.
Many of our students are fighting to overcome family issues including deaths and DCF involvement, health issues including depression and self-harm, and behavior issues including anger management and physical aggression, so they need the love, support, and one-on-one care the staff provides every day.
They also need a school that can be flexible and will provide a setting that allows the staff to meet the district and state guidelines in a way that also meets the needs of the individual students.
Our students are very intelligent and capable. Despite the odds, they are working hard to be successful, productive, and strong.
My Project
My students are very engaged when they work on projects that allow them to creatively showcase their knowledge and improvement in reading and writing skills. They especially enjoy using their computer skills to demonstrate the 7 steps of the writing process. One of their favorite assignments this year was a PowerPoint project which required them to introduce themselves to the class in seven slides. They created the presentation, and then we used the SmartBoard to display it to each period's class. The students loved presenting their background and interests, and the students demonstrated support by listening and encouraging everyone who felt shy about talking in front of everyone.
I was so proud to see my students achieve their goals!
In addition to the writing and the presenting portion of the assignment, students also evaluated each other's work. They completed an assessment survey which required positive and "needs work" comments. They did an amazing job. Now that we are beginning the second semester, and we will have at least 20 new students, I would like to have the students create another similar project that will include book reviews in addition to autobiographical information.
In addition, I have two classes that will use the Samsung Chromebooks to work on Khan Academy assignments designed to help them improve their skills and to prepare for the SAT. Access to these practices will better prepare them for life after high school by helping them with career skills and applications to colleges. Two classes with a high number of low skilled students will benefit by editing and revising their work with immediate feedback and one-on-one help. The Chromebooks will be amazing!
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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 Ms. McKinley and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.