What would it be like if your company required different departments to share a set of computers? Accounting can have the computers on Monday. Marketing on Tuesday and Thursday. HR has them on Wednesday and Friday. That sounds pretty crazy, but that is the juggling act we go through every week.
In my current reality, my students have so many useful web-based resources available to them, but not enough computers to give them the kind of access they need in order to maximize these resources.
My students are a vibrant group of kindergarten students. They are mostly from low income families in a high crime neighborhood in Chicago. Their neighborhood and economic situation has not defined them. They are proving that they can overcome the odds by growing a years worth in only 6 months as measured by our district assessments.
Much of this growth has been accomplished through small group instruction and additional practice using technology resources. We utilize technology as much as possible to engage students in learning activities that are specifically suited for each child's learning level. However, technology is limited and shared with several other classrooms and grade levels.
My Project
I envision a classroom where my students work in small groups on skills that they need to develop. Students would utilize technology daily to practice these skills. Many of these programs they use, track their success and mastery of the skills, making it easier for me to monitor if they are making progress and using their time on the technology wisely.
By the time my students are in 3rd grade, they will need to be proficient in typing and basic tech skills to complete the state assessments, which will now all be computer based.
If I had just 6 laptops in the classroom, my students would be able to utilize these resources DAILY to help them improve their reading, math, and technology skills. This will prepare them not only for the state assessments but for the tasks they will need later on in their education and work life.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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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 Mrs. Middendorf and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
