What do all kindergarten teachers strive to achieve? Students who engage in the learning process. Students who guide their education. Most importantly, students who achieve confidence and independence to master skills for success, in school and beyond.
My students attend a Title I school where over 65% of students come from low income households.
This is a significant statistic because the iPad Technology Station would be a resource that many students do not have at home. In addition, in my class of 17 kindergarteners, the students have a wide range of abilities, including several with special education needs. In order to reach all learners, a kindergarten teacher must find ways to level the educational playing field for all students. The iPad applications allow the tracking of individual student progress and feedback with student data to enhance individualized student instruction. Technology, more specifically an iPad Technology Station, is one of the most effective ways to close the educational achievement gap.
My Project
An iPad Technology Station would increase student engagement in learning reading, writing, and math skills.
Key Strategies for students include: introduce topics and revisit to reinforce ideas, greater student independence, six reading comprehension strategies, phonics (letter sounds and patterns), use of phonics rules and word patterns, refer to phonics rule/word pattern book for assistance in letter sounds, fluency by example through audio texts, fluency by practice through voice recording, writing with pictures/animation, writing expository essays, recognition of numbers, counting practice, telling time, memorization of basic math facts (+ and -).
The iPad Technology Station would allow my students to complete reading, writing, and math activities, including basic skills my students might not otherwise master. Students can learn to tell stories, read letter sounds, read words and sentences, answer comprehension questions, recognize numbers, and review addition/subtraction facts.
The user friendly, intuitive applications will allow students to practice skills independently or in partners.
With students on task and focused, I am able to give my undivided attention to specific groups of students who may need more differentiating in the curriculum. Students receive immediate, positive feedback during these interactive iPad applications, which will foster a sense of increasing self-confidence in their abilities and greater motivation to become lifelong learners.
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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 Mr. New and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.