My biggest challenge is helping students who come from impoverished homes and whose families move around a lot get caught up when they come to school.
Our students come from diverse ethnic backgrounds, which is reflected by the fact that 17 different languages are spoken at our school.
They struggle with the challenges inherent in their families' low socioeconomic status, which is exacerbated by the fact that English isn't their first language. The one iPad that was donated 2 years ago by Donors Choose is the single piece of technology that keeps my students motivated and excited about learning. I have found that even one iPad helps motivates students to come to after-school tutoring - something that they hadn't been so eager to attend in the past - and am confident that additional devices would bring even more children in.
My Project
Procuring two more iPads would enable my students to work independently on phonics and math during center time. Working at their own pace, they would be able to take the time to gain mastery over target skills and obtain critical knowledge. Engagement in the kind of fun learning experiences these devices would make possible during the school day would likely increase attendance at after-school tutoring sessions, which my predominately non-native English speaking students would greatly benefit from as a way to narrow their knowledge gap relative to children who've grown up speaking the language.
With the addition of two iPads, my classroom will be regarded as a much more exciting place to spend the day and students will be more eager to come to school and learn as a result.
I would anticipate their being significant improvement in the attendance rates of my students, which is obviously of great importance inasmuch as students need to be in class in order to learn the important skills and concepts they are not taught at home.
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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. Martin and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.