Past projects 5
Supporting Language and Literacy for our English Language Learners
Funded Nov 30, 2022Having access to a multitude of lesson plans, games, learning centers, and academic intervention activities has been incredibly beneficial for my students and I. This year, after having worked with upper grade English language learners for several years, I made the decision to return to early childhood, specifically kindergarten and first grade. While I was immediately excited to return to these grade levels, I was quickly taken aback at the learning levels of most of the students. The academic effects from COVID, specifically lack of early intervention and even basic group social settings has set this group back despite the academic standards and expectations remaining the same. My goal this year, to allow my students to develop and thrive but not at the expense of sacrificing their learning through play.
With Teachers Pay Teachers' gift cards, I have been able to create learning centers and intervention activities using materials and educational resources created directly from educators who are currently in the classroom and know the specific and intricate needs of students. I then tailored and individualize these materials to the specific needs of my language learners. While learning how to identify and read CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words, e.g. cat or bat, I printed out kid friendly, color images to make these words more accessible, to help support my visual learners. This is especially beneficial to individuals who are learning a new language. I have several students who have been too shy and apprehensive to speak aloud during our sessions, but will spell out words for me with ease thanks to teacher-created learning center activities.
Specifically, this age group has focused a lot on phonics instruction thanks to these materials. As a result, I have been pleasantly surprised at how quickly their reading of words and even short texts have improved. Many of my kindergarten students are not only using more English in their everyday speaking, but their reading skills have excelled dramatically. I am often blown away when I listen to them read one of their leveled books. I do not think this would have been possible without using teacher generated materials. I would not have access to these materials without the generosity of those who donated to my project. I can wholeheartedly say, by the end of this school year, my kindergarteners will be more than ready and prepared for the first grade. My students also love the kid friendly stories I have been able to print out. They often ask to read these stories during partner reading or individual reading time.
Once again, thank you so much to all of you who donated to my Donor's Choose project, because of you, I will be able to continue to use these materials during future school years and with various grade levels. As well, I still have access to additional resources.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Diaz
This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 6 other donors.Learning Language Through Color
Funded Nov 30, 2021The timing of receiving our new printer/copy/scanner could not have arrived at a better time. Roughly a week after our donation arrived, our school's copy machine broke down, and has yet to be replaced. Having this printer/copy/scanner in our ENL classroom has been a life saver. Within the past few months, I have been able to print out several in color book packages to assist our students as they prepare for their upcoming state exams and provide additional independent reading materials.
Visuals are extremely important for language learners, especially in color. For the first time, I have been able to print out color anchor charts to place around the classroom for students to support their learning along with individual mini anchor charts and flashcards to support students' phonics and reading comprehension skills. I have also been able to create support kits for students based on their individual needs.
It will come as no surprise to anyone that this particular school year has been extremely difficult for both students and teachers. Morale is low, and everyone is essentially burnt out. My students have really appreciated me creating fun games and centers. I have been able to do this by printing out various games and activities in color. Usually, as soon as my students enter the classroom, they will ask if they will be able to play games or participate in centers. It has been a big boost of morale and motivation for my English language learning superstars!
On behalf of my students and myself, thank you once again to all who were kind enough to donate towards our classroom printer. It is not easy to ask for help, especially when it is a financial request, but our students deserve so much, and have worked so hard, both academically and emotionally. Having a classroom printer may seem like such a small request, but it truly has been such a support, and I am so grateful to you all. Words cannot express my true appreciation for your kindness and generosity.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Diaz
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 12 other donors.Multicultural Book Club: Promoting a Love of Reading for ELLs
Funded Sep 1, 2017It has been two months since the start of the new school year but already my students and I have put these Kindles to good use, from our students who are brand new to the English language to our more advanced language learners who are working to improve their fluency and reading comprehension.
Our newcomer ELLs with limited English proficiency have been using these Kindles to practice their phonics and phonemic awareness through various educational apps along with listening to audio books of classic children's literature & songs, and watching videos. My students have shown a great interest and excitement to use these Kindles during our sessions. They have also been able to listen to their own voices as I sometimes record them while they are practicing to read new words and books in English.
Students with a stronger command of the English language have been able to use the Kindles to read our group books together. It has been incredibly helpful and a time saver to download books on the Kindles instead of making several photo copies of books for each different group. The students enjoy seeing the books and illustrations in color, as well as being able to use the audio features to listen aloud to words/phrases they might not be familiar with.
Using these Kindles for book club and reading comprehension activities allows me to target students' various learning styles including but not limited to: auditory, visual, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. As well, using these Kindles also allows students to have hands on experience with technology. Although tablets are quite popular in most homes, many of our students do not have access to one, therefore, having the chance to use these in school is wonderful.
I look forward to continuing to use these Kindles and developing this multicultural book club to its full potential. Once again, thank you so much for your generous donations. My students and I appreciate it every day.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Diaz
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Funder and 10 other donors.English Language Learners Building Their Reading Comprehension Skills
Funded Mar 2, 2017As soon as I received our materials in the mail, I ripped open the boxes as if it was Christmas morning. I was beyond excited to receive my class' new materials as I was convinced this was the additional support my students needed to assist in building their weaknesses in reading comprehension.
I immediately went to work creating activities and learning centers for my students to use at their earliest convenience. The students were eager to use our new materials. They have enjoyed the stories and practice from these activities. After the past few weeks I have honestly already seen a vast improvement with several students.
In the next two weeks my English language learners will take the New York State English as a Second Language Test – NYSESLAT. I am optimistic that many of them will do well on the writing and reading portions of the exam due to the use of those materials that were donated to us.
As much as I will try, I feel as though I am unable to truly articulate how grateful I am to the generous donors who took the time to support my classroom's project. Teaching in a public school can be physically, mentally, and financially challenging. Your financial contributions and words of encouragement to my students have made it easier and help to lift some weight off of my shoulders.
From my students and I...
Thank you, Gracias, Merci, Faleminderit, Shukraan, Bahut Shukriya!! =)”
With gratitude,
Ms. Diaz
Help Our English Language Learners Become Successful Readers
Funded Dec 14, 2016My students and I cannot express to you enough how much we appreciate your generosity. Many of my English language learners have the double responsibility of not only learning a new language but learning content in that new language as well.
The materials provided to us are being utilized by my lowest proficient language learners in first and second grade. These students unfortunately do not have the basic skills in phonics and phonemic awareness to excel in their reading skills. Reading a simple sentence such as, "The cat in the hat" can be extremely difficult when a student is not aware of word families, i.e. - "at" word family, (hat, cat, mat, rat). The Hooked on Phonics series allows the students to utilize their various learning styles in a fun, entertaining way to learn the basic skills they need when reading.
In the few short weeks I have implemented this series into our phonics block, I have seen improvement in all students in this group. Some minor improvements, but improvements nonetheless. Every little bit helps. I have noticed the confidence of my students excel as they read words they once struggled with. I see students using the strategies provided in these series to help with their reading fluency and comprehension.
I am optimistic that these materials will help my students get closer to grade level and develop a love of reading. I am so proud at all the accomplishments I have seen from them thus far. Once again, thank you so much. My words cannot truly articulate my truest feelings. I am so grateful.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Diaz