My Students

Last year, I introduced my personal iPad to my students. This was the first time most of them had ever touched a tablet. I am hoping to have several iPads in my classroom next year to further excite and engage my third grade students about learning science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

My third grade students are loving and friendly.

They are, primarily, from low income families and, historically, score low on state and district tests. Minimal technology is available at the school and even less at student homes. Students are from hard-working families (mostly blue collar or farmer).

My Project

Last year, I used my personal iPad in the classroom. Students recorded each other speaking positively about other students. At the end of the year, I made this into a DVD keepsake. Next year, having a classroom iPad, I plan to make learning even more fun and engaging for my third graders. The iPad will be used as a SMART Board. It will be used to SKYPE with authors and inventors. It will be used to assess learning and even inspire students to make their own instructional media.

I hope that having technology available in the classroom on a regular basis will increase student engagement and, as a result, increase student test scores, therefore, decreasing third grade retentions.

For the first time at this school, third grade students will have a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teacher and a separate humanities teacher. Teaching STEM will require technology, which this school is, currently, significantly lacking.