Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 126

The Dry Erase/Whiteboard Activity top tables have been an incredible addition to my EL/ESE Classroom.  My students use them evey single day!  They make learning fun and callaborative.  My 9th and 10th grade (brand new) English Learners use them for diagraphing words using the Reading Horizons program.  While working on reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills the tables have given the students a sense of power and ownership.  The tables have made it virtually impossible for any student to slink into the shadows of other students because EVERY student is accountable for writing the words and procuding evidence of understanding. A typical class period would involve me saying a word  aloud... the students listening and attempting to sound out and spell the word on their own/writing it on table top.  After collaborating with their group and determining the correct spelling they would each diagraph their word using the Reading Horizons method/symbols (identifying vowels, blends, consonants, and "guardians").  The students would then work together to determine the meaning of the word, make connections between their native language/culture and the English Language/culture, and present in a whole class setting (speaking in ENGLISH). Another way that the tables have become invaluable was through FSA/ACT/SAT Test Prep and teaching Senior Intensive Reading students (who still needed to pass FSA or score high enough on the ACT or SAT to meet their requirements for graduation) to track their own data and take ownership/responsibility for their progress/success.  One activity involved students taking timed full length reading ACT tests.  They would then chart their groups answers on the table tops before being given the correct answers.  The students talked through why and how they came up with their answers and identified both correct and incorrect thought processes; as well as, what adjustments needed to be made in the future. I could provide countless examples of how these tables have helped my students!  The impact to my classroom has far surpassed my expectations.  I could not have foreseen the level to which "personal student accountability has increased".  The students are never without a dry erase marker in their hands writing down unknown words, questions, data, and ideas.  They are more confidant and have become unafraid to speak or write in English because we are in a constant state of "making corrections" on the table tops.  All of my students from the English Learners to the struggling Seniors have become FEARLESS and willing to try... as a result they have grown tremendously and made gains throughout the year.  Thank you for making an impact on my classroom.  I am extremely grateful!