Interactive Literacy

Funded Oct 31, 2018

Thank you so much for the opportunity to foster a more inclusive, meaningful learning environment in my classroom! My students have been able to use the devices to foster increased literacy and fluency, and to help fill small educational gaps in their reading that we don't have time to touch on in their regular reading lessons.

There are twenty-seven students (grades kindergarten through sixth) in my classroom who qualify for resource (mild to moderate special education) services under a variety of classification, the most predominant being Specific Learning Disabilities and Autism. They have been able to use the iPads (charged with the charging station and with accessibility help using the apple pencil) to work on a leveled, targeted reading program that helps them to practice literacy, learning phonetic and grammar rules, and allows them to read passages that are on their reading level without being demoralizing for being too "little kid".

The effect of being able to use these devices is two-fold. While it is primarily an excellent source of supplementary reading instruction, it also serves as a non-threatening cool-down method. When students are overwhelmed or upset, direct attention or feeling singled out can often escalate a situation. By giving the upset student a "break" on the reading program, (which doubles as a learning opportunity) it allows them to calm down, refocus, and come back to a group lesson.

The help and opportunities given by the access to this technology is greatly appreciated by everyone in my classroom. Thank you!”

With gratitude,

Ms. McNab