"Learning is something students do, not something done to students."-Alfie Kohn
In my classroom, we are all teachers and learners. Student learning is amplified when they share their thinking processes and learning experiences with each other. My students thrive in this type of learning environment.
My students are always eager to be "the teacher".
They thrive when they feel their work is valued and their effort is appreciated when shared. I make sure my students know that learning is a process and to not be afraid to share the product of their hard work but their thinking process and struggles as well. This allows us to all learn and grow from each other. Although my students can verbally share their thinking, it is much more impactful when they can also show it step-by-step. It is like taking the class on a walk through their mind. When they are able to model their work and be "the teacher, " they beam with pride. Even if their thinking is challenged by another student, it becomes wonderful teachable moments.
My Project
To help my students facilitate their learning from all work that happens in my classroom, they would greatly benefit from a document camera to utilize when they are in the sharing and teaching role. Another benefit of students sharing their own learning is that it helps reinforce their understanding when they can model and explain it to others. In teaching and learning, it is not about the destination, it is about the journey. In math, this tool can support our journey by allowing us to share multiple ways to solve multi-step problems, it can help us share our brainstorming strategies while writing, share the steps progressing through the scientific method, or present a timeline for social studies. I and my students will be able to share our journeys together using this document camera and tablet to help facilitate the most valuable learning atmosphere for all my students.
With this document camera and tablet, the students become the active participants in their learning experiences, not just observers.
They will be able to share their work and their journey, while taking pride in helping others by sharing their learning processes. Not only does experiences like these help students feel confident and learn to share their thinking, it helps all students in the classroom learn from each other. This donation will greatly benefit my students now and in the future.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Gonzalez and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
