Donors Choose Project

My classroom is in dire need of technology. My Smartboard is over 10 years old (and is no longer interactive), my teacher laptop is almost 10 years old, and we have no student computers. So it's been my goal to get at least one student computer for my kids. They LOVE using mine when I let them...but alas, it just wasn't meant to be. I tried twice to get that project funded through donorschoose.com but no such luck. :( So, back in August I thought I'd give it one more try with an iPad instead as they are cheaper than some computers. I'm honestly not sure how, but somehow I managed to get it fully donated! My kiddos were SO EXCITED when it finally arrived around December. Of course I had to set it up and download some apps for them to use before I could turn it over to them. :) We had many discussions (and still occasionally have) about the proper use of the iPad (don't walk around the room with it, no pictures, etc.) Then I created a schedule for each day of the week (which got thrown out the window when a new student showed up lol). So now we just take turns. And they are loving using it! I'm so incredibly grateful to each and every person that dug deep into their pockets and helped fund this project. My kids are also incredibly grateful too- though they lack the language to tell you that. ;)

From the bottom of our hearts- THANK YOU! <3

Center Rotations

Wow, so it's already November. I completely missed blogging about anything October related...it's been that kind of year. I know, I know, it's just beginning. But let me just say, that since I have 6 kids in my class and 3 of them have been with me for at least 2 years already, it doesn't feel like it's just beginning. It feels like it never ends (and they wonder why I refuse to teach summer school to my kids every year). Honestly, I love my kids, but the 6 of them together are a terrible combination...but I digress. The point of this post is to discuss how I do my center rotations. So- on with the show.

This year, for the first time ever, I managed to build in a dedicated half hour to centers. For anyone reading outside the state of Florida this might be a bit of a shock...after all most of you guys have school days that last 7 hours- here in Florida ours are only 6 hours. I never thought I'd day this- but I could really use that extra hour! Anyway, after some back and forth, I decided to dedicate this half hour to IEP related activities and centers. Because my kids are all on such different levels I felt that it was the only way I could monitor and collect accurate data on their specific goals while still managing to teach 3 different grade level standards. And, quite frankly, I'm happy I made the decision to do this.

So, how does it work?

Well, I have two of those plastic 3-drawer storage things and since I have 6 kids that worked out perfectly! Each kid gets their own drawer. And then I made life simple, and just created a rotation. Each kid gets the iPad once a week (except for 2 that double up because they can actually handle playing together) and work/counseling the other days. Each week I change out the centers as needed and the night before I put all of their materials for the next day's center in their drawer and they're ready to go!

Now, I admit there are some drawbacks. Namely being that all my pullouts are done during this time (which is also a blessing) so I don't have 5 days of centers with most of my kids so data collection isn't as smooth as I'd like. It also means that fun activities I have planned that I want to complete during this time aren't always completed. There's pros and cons to everything. 

I'm still trying to find ways to tweak this process so it's better for my kids...if you've got suggestions I'd love to hear them! :)