thoughtful differentiation and access during small group work. At one school, a teacher co-applied with
the teacher of the Special Day Class, and both were approved. In addition to work- ing with their two classes as one team, both of these teachers have expanded use of the equipment to larger groups of students through mainstreaming and co-teaching models. For example, when students from other fourth-grade classes came into her classroom for reading RTI, the teacher used her iPads for word work and other activities. When the SDC teacher’s third-graders
were reading “Charlotte’s Web” in their mainstream class, they used iMovie to create alternate endings to the book. Once other kids saw the iMovies, they clamored to have the student experts show them how they could make their endings into a movie, too. In addition to sharing the technology, stu- dents with special needs were in the happy position of being able to teach other students what they knew! At another school, the teacher has sent
the iPad cart to other second grade class- rooms for them to use for story writing. In summer school, a teacher brought along her iPad cart to use with two science classes she was co-teaching with another teacher, reach- ing more kids and exposing more teachers to the technology.
Investment pays off Because creating 21st century citizens is
written into our strategic plan’s vision, mis- sion and goals, the plan has been a useful reference point when requesting funding for initial phases of the academies. The overall investment for these academies to date has been about 25 percent of the expenditure on the strategic plan and has impacted the same percentage of teachers and students. The investment is paying off. In the
words of one of our Academy members, “Teaching with this tool has been transfor- mative for my students and for my teach- ing!” And isn’t that what it is all about? n
Sandy McConnell is a teacher at Bagby Elementary School, Cambrian School District. Deborah Blow is superintendent of the Cambrian School District.
November/December 2012 35
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