There is no question that I have spread the news about my quest for iPads on our class Facebook page...A LOT! I'm not sure that everyone knows the full story behind this campaign. Back in Vermont, I integrated iPads extensively into my 1st grade classroom. Over the course of four years, I was able to see amazing things happen with this technology tool. For a year, I piloted the use of Chromebooks in the primary grade classroom. If you are ever bored and feel like seeing what I used to be up to, visit www.mrssorensonfirstgrade.blogspot.com. :-) Suffice it to say, I feel in love with technology integration and it's now a passion of mine. Fast forward to now: In TCAPS we are fortunate to have access to Chromebooks K-5. We have already used them extensively in our classroom, and they are awesome! But I only had one classroom iPad. What to do, what to do? Find funding! I posted a request on DonorsChoose.org, which received very little response at first. But, my mother-in-law's cousin (how's that for random?!) saw the post and asked if he could donate two iPads. He's a doctor and his office was upgrading. Well, of course I said yes! He now lives in Illinois, but he was raised in Michigan and has a strong connection to Traverse City. Those iPads arrived during our holiday break. I reposted the project on Donors Choose to ask for two iPad Minis since we now have three iPads and the Mini is much less expensive. On Saturday, thanks to the generosity of several of my family members and a parent in our classroom, we are FULLY FUNDED for those two iPad Minis. Hooray! That brings our grand total to five iPads, with my personal iPad making it six. I have another grant request out there for one iPad. I am hoping it will be funded, so my personal iPad can be my "teacher iPad," and the rest can be solely for student use in small groups or for individual learning needs. The two iPad minis will be here within a few weeks. Thank you to all who supported this project by donating, cheering us on, or sharing my Donors Choose project with others. We did it! |