I work at a Hawaiian language immersion and culture-based school. My students are creative, thoughtful, and full of questions. They thrive on hands-on, experiential-based, active, and engaging learning opportunities. As a Hawaiian language immersion school, all subject areas are taught entirely through the Hawaiian language. As a Hawaiian culture-based school, all subjects are taught through a Hawaiian cultural lens.
Hawaiian is a highly endangered language and the object of a school-based revitalization movement.
Seventy-five percent of my students come from families who either know very minimal Hawaiian or do not speak Hawaiian at all. Most families have difficulty helping their children with their work because the language acquisition level of their child has well surpassed the parents' ability to understand.
Access to face-to-face interactions (in-person or virtually) is imperative to the success of our program. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our school is 100% distance learning. Students are taught virtually as a whole class, small group, and 1:1 via Zoom. This is to ensure their Hawaiian language acquisition is not lost.
My Project
This new virtual experience has me to re-evaluating my teaching methods, and how I can better reach my students. I am constantly learning new ways and use a variety of resources to meet their needs, so it is important that I have the proper tools to reach them.
These tools will support and enhance my students virtual learning experience.
It is very difficult for them to hear me with my current speaker set up. The ability to clearly hear me will ensure proper language acquisition. The headphones will ensure they are able to hear me loud and clear throughout our virtual class time. The wireless keyboard and mouse will allow me to create a virtual learning space and easily navigate between screens and apps. These teaching tools will enhanced the learning environment and set my students up for the most successful virtual learning journey during these difficult times.
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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 Ms. Kumu Pōhai and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
