Technology Is the Pen and Paper of Our Time

My Students

"We need technology in every classroom and in every student and teacher's hand, because it is the pen and paper of our time, and it is the lens through which we experience much of our world."- David Warlick. Technology provides innovative, high interest materials, to excite and motivate my students.

My students are energetic and motivated to learn!

They are avid readers, writers, and mathematicians. Our class is made up of 26 interesting, diverse, and enthusiastic 2nd-graders. It is a heterogeneous population, with an extremely wide range of abilities and learning needs. In addition to all the student ranges of abilities, I am also responsible for the education of many students who are English language learners, who know little or no English, and special needs children who need extensive support. My children come from various ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds, including students who are homeless. Since our school does not qualify for special funding, we rely heavily on donations, or funding from teachers' own paychecks for supplies. It is so important that I continue to nurture their love of reading, learning, and technology, in order to build a solid foundation for the digital world they live and will work in.

My Project

Last year, Donorschoose funded a Digital Storytelling project. This project was a HUGE success, and the clay animation my students created was amazing. This year, I want to expand on my knowledge and excitement, and use more iPads throughout the curriculum in all subject areas, as well as for my teaching instruction. In addition to using the iPads for stop motion animation, I would like to use them everyday for reading, math practice, center time, and science learning. Students will use the iPads daily during silent reading, with an application called Raz-Kids, which allows them to read ebooks at their level. They will also use other applications that give Common Core practice like IXL for math, and Lexia for reading phonics and comprehension. During learning centers, students will be able to participate in multiple player educational games, and ELL students will have supported language learning. Those mentioned are just a few ways I will incorporate the iPads into my classroom.

In a new ever changing world, where every person needs to have a great understanding of technology and possess technology skills, it is important that students are taught how to use such electronics to learn, discover, test, probe, and research, in order to better prepare them for real world careers.

The iPads I am requesting will not only help students with the learning and implementation of the Common Core Standards, but also integrate technology into their lives as a tool for learning.