Firsties Wanna Get Their Learn On!
Thank you so much for considering donating to my campaign!
Who
My name is Amanda and this Friday marks the completion of my first year of teaching. I began the year with 26 wildly enthusiastic Kindergarteners and am ready to take the longest nap of my life once summer hits! We have worked so hard this year to prepare our students for first grade by studying Kindergarten curriculum. This year alone, many of my students began the year unable to identify a single letter in their name and are leaving with the ability to write independent research papers, personal narratives, and informational how-tos! Some of my students came to my Kentucky school not knowing where to begin reading on a given page and have now jumped above a Kindergarten reading level! My students rock - but I'm sure you get the picture. :)
Why
While all of my students were able to grow, there were times that we noticed the definite lack of resources made available to us. Our state requires our Kindergarteners to meet technology standards - something that is difficult to do when you have 3 desktop computers for 26 kids, 1.5 headphones (the .5 is held together by masking tape and missing ear pads), and a computer lab that is frequently occupied by the "big kids" preparing for their standardized tests. When we were faced with a deadline to complete research, we had two classes of 25 Kindergarteners sharing 2 personal iPads. You can imagine the lesson in flexibility the kids had to learn in those weeks. :)
Even more than meeting standards, research proves that iPads can improve literacy, engage students for longer periods of time, customize education, and saves paper!
What the Kinders Want
With your help, I would love to purchase 6 mini iPads ($249 each) and 6 protective cases (~$15 each). (For you mathematicians, the extra dollars will cover the sales taxes and fees for using this website). The iPads would be used for in-class research, as translation devices for my English Language Learners, as a literacy or mathematics center, as a Fast Finisher, etc. etc. etc.!
Thank you, again, for considering helping out my kiddos :)
