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Classroom Opportunities

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Hello!

I am a 5th grade teacher at an inner-city school in Sacramento.  I have 32 fabulous new students, who are anxious to succeed and follow their dreams!  The list of materials that would help my kids thrive is endless, but computers and books are top of my list. Although the families at our school are hardworking and loving, we are a Title 1 school because of the overwhelming poverty and needs of our kids.  These are kids who share beds or couches with siblings, and all too often don’t know if there will be dinner; they do not have luxuries like computers or even books.

Last year was my first year at my new school. Almost all of these kids were 2 to 3 years behind in reading and very low in math. I had previously taught for 15 years at a private school where my students had access to technology, books, and all the necessary resources to flourish.  I was shocked to find that most of my students last year had never read a book! With the help of my former students and friends, I began to collect novel sets for my students. I quickly realized that given access to great literature, they grew to love reading and their reading levels soared! By the end of the year my class’s state language proficiency scores went from 12% to 46%! More quality literature equals happy, willing readers, which equals greater success! Hooray for books!

I know these scores would have been higher if my students had more access to technology.  Again, I was shocked when I realized my students did not know how to type or even copy and paste! The state tests are all on-line, and my students are disadvantaged by their lack of basic computer skills. A class set of Chromebooks would allow my students to research topics, improve their math fluency, read more, and become familiar with word processing and on-line test taking. All of this would give these kids a chance at college readiness and add another dimension to their learning. With a class set of Chromebooks, I would love to give the kids the opportunity to come early or stay late to get even more access to on-line resources!

I realize it is a lot to ask, but I am hoping that there are enough of us who want to help my kids reach their full potential.  Poverty and lack of access to materials should not determine their fate. These are kids with enough hurdles, let’s give them books and computers so they can thrive!

Organizer and beneficiary

Elizabeth Ryan
Organizer
Sacramento, CA
Nora Makarczyk
Beneficiary

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