My students need quality non-fiction books and two iPad minis to facilitate hands-on learning and research, both digitally and in print, throughout their 5th grade year.
FULLY FUNDED! 's classroom raised $993
This project is fully funded
My Students
John Dewey once said, "If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow." With the importance of technology and digital literacy increasing daily, it is not acceptable to be teaching students without incorporating technology in ways that will prepare them for the future.
I teach three science classes of about thirty 5th graders each day.
They are such eager learners and love to explore and see how science and technology can be applied to their daily lives. Even with their will and drive to learn, my students are from an extremely low-income, urban neighborhood and do not have the opportunities to experience quality, updated non-fiction texts nor the different types of amazing technology that are available in this day and age. They have little to no access to high quality texts or technology in their daily lives as their families are not able to afford them. Also, it isn't always safe to go to the library to utilize the technology and other services they have available there as the area is in constant turmoil. Their circumstances and the neighborhood that they call home unfortunately get in the way of their access to the truly deep and meaningful learning that high quality texts and technology help to provide.
My Project
With these materials, students will be able to explore, research, and discover in multiple ways. The books and the iPads will supplement each other, providing different means of students engaging with the material. Students will be able to work in small groups and use the books to start their explorations- building upon the science content that is a part of our curriculum outside of just what is provided in our textbooks. They will continue this work in small groups on the iPads, using them to research and find answers to questions they come across during their reading that may not be directly answered in the texts they are working with. This will build their capacity for inquiry, research, and engaging in natural curiosity. These materials will also help my instruction to be more student centered, allowing the students to take the reigns and direct their own learning, thus allowing me to step into a more supporting role, assisting the learning they are engaging in on their own.
With your donation to this project, you are working to not only improve what goes on in my classroom, but also toward changing the lives of my students for the better.
You are helping to equip them with the means to foster the essential life skills of inquiry, research and exploration. You are also equipping them to take ownership of their learning, a skill that will push them to strive to become life long learners. As Dewey said, help me teach my class for today and not rob them of tomorrow!
This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
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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