Funded Jan 12, 2024I am sincerely grateful for the donation you made to my literacy classroom. As a reading interventionist, I spend a lot of time building students' knowledge about words (high frequency words, word parts & patterns, manipulating words, etc.). We do a LOT of daily work building, writing, and reading words and it can become a challenge as the year goes on to keep students engaged and motivated during the word work portion of our lesson. The AlphaBots are WAY more high-interest and engaging to use when building students' letter/sound knowledge and building new words than the magnetic letter tiles I typically use. The AlphaBots have elicited many smiles and are a frequently requested learning tool by my first graders during our word work time. Additionally, the first time I brought out the Doodle Boards and Magic Boards, students were overjoyed to have a new, "fancy" tool to use to practice our words. I have had students ask many times if we can spend MORE time writing words on "those cool boards" if we finish our lesson early. That request would have never came earlier in the year. The interest and engagement in learning about and practicing words thanks to these purchases is helping me fulfill one of my literacy objectives: students need to quickly and efficiently be able to solve new words. I hope to be able to continue building my supply of literacy learning tools to continue to support my students' knowledge and growth!
As a literacy interventionist, I work hard to instill a love of reading in my students. I think it is important for students to have ownership over their book choices and materials needed for reading (ex: bookmarks, personal dictionary, Post-it Notes, highlighters). The book cart is a beautiful storage system that allows each and every one of my students to house their OWN literacy materials. Students are excited to add new texts and new materials to their bins. The question, "I want to keep ______. Where do I put it?" was often asked prior to receiving this purchase...now, students know anything they would like to keep for their own reading/learning purposes is able to be stored in their bin! Further, there is a time and place for learning at desks/tables...and there is a time/place for students to "get comfy" and work. I often let my students "read around the room" during independent reading time and the stools have been a sought-after item! Seating options matter more than most would think! These stools are sturdy, comfortable, and the perfect size for my elementary students.
Supporting students takes a village. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being part of MY village and helping me create engaging, valuable learning experiences and an inviting, "user-friendly" literacy environment.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gretzinger