A typical day in my classroom begins with a smile at the door reassuring students that I believe in them, and that success is just on the other side. My title is an educator, but I agree with Robert Frost when he said, "I am not a teacher, but an awakener."
As a 3rd grade teacher, I am always looking for ways to provide interesting and exciting ways to fall in love with learning.
In my classroom, I have students who come from a variety of backgrounds bringing with them different background knowledge, levels of understanding, interest, styles of learning, and a variety of work ethic independence. In order for my students to become successful, there is no room for a cookie cutter approach. I have become a true believer in becoming a user of data. A variety of assessments give me that needed data. By using assessments, I am aware of my students' thinking, and having this knowledge formulates my plan, and keeps my planning flexible, and more tailor made for individuals within my own classroom. I guess you could say we're all different, and because of that fact I am constantly looking for ways to meet the needs of each individual with a differentiated approach to teaching, hopefully providing students with a differentiated way of learning.
My Project
With your generous support of 2 iPad minis, students would be able to use technology for language interventions that would benefit all reading levels and all writing abilities. Research tells us that repeated readings and repeated audio strategies can increase fluency, directly influencing comprehension. With an emphasis on writing and high level thinking included in the new Common Core, students would benefit immensely by using the tools that will give them differentiated practice and help them prepare for the future.
Besides language, my students would be able to work in small math groups reviewing, reinforcing, and enriching their understanding of math topics in concrete, pictorial and abstract ways. The minis would not only provide a much needed intervention, but also would provide motivation and excitement for the world of math and problem solving that surrounds us.
Finally, with the help of our minis I would be able to use continual formative assessments to direct teaching.
My classroom will improve with the use of technology.
My students will be able to find their perfect level and then push themselves to try harder tasks that will instill an attitude of accomplishment. iPads take students to any location, any profession, any classroom, or any problem-solving circumstance in the world. Having the ability to apply new knowledge in a productive way prepares students to be life long learners, and participate successfully in a competitive global economy.
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. Denning and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
