Chromebooks for Writing Classes

Verified Non-Profit
$2,302
$4,000 goal

The Description
With these funds I will:
- Enable students to post their own creative writing to https://grandcentercreativewriting.wordpress.com/ and effectively integrate the blog more seamlessly into our creative writing classes. Currently one student blogger and I manage the blog with one computer, which limits the meaningful role the blog could potentially play in the class. If every student could directly post to the blog, use it as a resource during in-class writing exercises, and perhaps workshop each other's work via the comments section, the blog could really enhance students' learning process during class rather than serving merely as a post-writing publication.
- Online research is a heavy component of Writing Workshop, in which students write different types of essays to prepare them for college level writing. Having a reliable set of chromebooks would facilitate the in-class research process tremendously, as many of the computers currently available for teachers to borrow have shoddy internet access and are not always available. It would also help in the teaching of MLA format -- instead of presenting students with a paper packet printed from the OWL purdue website, I could help students directly navigate the site, which more closely emulates the process they will use in college.
- In-class research is also a heavy component in Musical Theatre Lit -- students could access YouTube videos of musicals and choreography as they are reading different scripts in small groups without the need for me to burn CDs for each group and provide multiple CD players (which I have done in the past).
- In general, a class set of chromebooks would allow me to significantly reduce the paper usage in my classroom, as students could access files digitally. Please help me kill less trees!
- I believe my students in particular deserve these resources for two reasons. First, many of my students do not have reliable access to computers at home. Using computers to write will not only improve their writing skills, but improve their computer skills, a skill set which is vital to their success in the job market. While all of my students are creative and critical thinkers, as a whole, their writing skills need improvement and writing can be a challenging and daunting task for many. The simple act of using a computer to write engages and motivates struggling writers.
Also, here are links to a chromebook, a charger, and a docking station:
Haier Chromebook 11 ($149 each)
Wall Charger ($12.49 each + $7.49 shipping)
24 Laptop & Chromebook Charging Cart ($495.94 each)
Back Up Plan
If I do not my meet my goal I will take however many chromebooks I can get and put them to good use! Even five new chromebooks could help my classroom.
Fundraiser Updates (2)
Good News!
August 8, 2016
With 34 days left, we are more than halfway toward our goal! Thank you so much to all our investors, on behalf of several teachers, and more importantly, hundreds of students.
We have some more good news to share. Recently we (the English department) learned that Grand Center Arts Academy will be funding some chromebooks for our classes. Here's what that means for your investment:
We will NOT be receiving enough chromebooks for each English teacher to have a set. So the money you have invested in our cause will go to more chromebooks and chromebook chargers. Your help in making our chromebook sets complete is invaluable. The less we have to share because each room doesn't have a full set, the more we can utilize this technology to do really exciting things… I for one am dreaming of a "more paperless" classroom, so I have created a central website for all my classes where I can post "handouts" online. I believe that Ms. Sobotka and Mr. Armknecht also have class websites.
In the AMAZING event that we are able to procure a full class set for each member of our department, any leftover funds would go towards the following:
-
A steady supply of dry erase markers, highlighters, pens, tape, kleenex.
-
Books. Books for our "little free library," books for classroom libraries that students borrow, books so that every middle schooler could have their own copy rather than be tied to a class set. New books to replace distressed copies.
-
Money for teachers to integrate something new in their curriculum: supplementary materials in the way of new books, DVDs...
-
There's a field trip scheduled in March or Feb for the 9th graders to see the play To Kill A Mockingbird at the Rep. Supplementary funds so that every student can attend.
Thank you again! Please continue to spread the word. With your help, we have the potential to reach our $4000 goal in the next month!
Sincerely,
English Teachers of GCAA
Ms. Sobotka's Classroom & Chromebooks
July 18, 2016
Thank you for all the generous contributions to the cause! I am pleased to announce that we are almost halfway toward our goal, due to your generous donations.
What I didn't express on the cause page is that these 20 chromebooks will support our entire department. It's a small department, so if we meet our goal of 20 chromebooks it will make a big impact on the work of my colleagues Anna Sobotka, Travis Armknecht, Cindy Kalachek, and Amber Murphy.
Please watch Ms. Sobotka Chromebooks on how a set of chromebooks would support Ms. Sobotka's 9th and 10th grade students.
In supporting the entire high school English department at GCAA, your donation will impact hundreds of students!
Thank you again for the continued support!
About the Creator

Your Impact
10
Every little bit helps!
25
Every little bit helps!
50
A third of a chromebook
150
One chromebook
Investments (14)
William Bunker
6 years ago
Josh & Tiffany McGinnis
6 years ago
Jim Heinzer
6 years ago
Maria Craft
6 years ago
Molly Sobotka
6 years ago
Anonymous
6 years ago
Visa 5226
6 years ago
Anonymous
6 years ago
Phoebe Claggett
6 years ago
Heather Blacksmith
6 years ago
Anonymous
6 years ago
Lindy & Michael Hardwick
6 years ago
carrie lutjens
6 years ago
Allison Katsantonis
6 years ago
Comments (1)
Josh & Tiffany July 20, 2016
Leave a Comment