The cost of the Royal Reading/Writing Center is $308, including shipping and <a target="new" href="http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm" onclick="g_openWindow('http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm', 300, 800, 'fulfillwindow');return false;">fulfillment</a>.
FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Avens's classroom raised $320
This project is fully funded
I am a first grade teacher at John G. Tower Elementary. John G. Tower Elementary is located near Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. We have Early Childhood classes through fifth grade and serve around 700 students. About 95% of the students enrolled are dependents of active duty military servicemen and women. We also have the unique opportunity of teaching children from countries all over the world as a result of a Euro-NATO pilot program through Sheppard Air Force Base.
During the twelve years that I have been teaching, I have found that it is becoming harder to reach many students using the traditional teaching methods in the area of reading instruction. We begin with the same reading book (basal), expecting all of our students to be on that level, and we guide them through this book, expecting them to stay on the same level. In the real world, we have 22 students coming to us with all different needs. Many children are reading below or on grade level, while some are reading way above grade level. Our job as educators is to assess where they are at, and take them where they need to be by the end of the year. That task is not as easy as it sounds.
Realizing this, my co-workers and I decided to try a different approach to reading called, "Guided Reading." Guided Reading is a method of teaching reading that uses small-group instruction and developmentally appropriate books, called "leveled readers". I have used it this year and am seeing awesome results! I am reaching every child in my class, from those lower, struggling readers all the way up to the ones above grade level!
Part of the approach calls for some whole group activities where I teach phonics, grammar, and writing skills through a "shared book" activity. To successfully do this, I am in need of a magnetic, dry-erase teaching easel with a book ledge, sometimes called reading/writing centers. If I had an easel, I could have my whole class of 22 students in front of me on the carpet (small area, able to keep their attention), using fun activities and manipulatives to teach these skills.
By having a teaching easel, I would be able to provide the necessary instruction and activities for my children and it would be a more meaningful learning experience for the students.
More than half of 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. Avens and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.