Past projects 8
The Wonders Of Work Tasks For An Autism Class
Funded Nov 24, 2013Thank you so much for generously supporting my classroom. I know my students will be thrilled to see all of the new items! We will use these items to create new and engaging work tasks for their independent work stations. My students struggle with working independently and often become prompt dependent. By funding this project, you have provided our students with new items that will peak their interest and provide more variety to their work task systems, hopefully increasing their engagement and reducing the need for adult assistance!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sorrell
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 6 other donors.Cultivating Creative Learning Experiences With iPads
Funded Oct 7, 2013Words can't express how excited I am to learn that my project has been fully funded!!! With the help and support of generous donors like you, my students will be able to use the latest technology to create videos and books that will support learning standards across the curriculum.
My students have a difficult time with expressive language. It is a challenge for them to find the words needed to express themselves and describe the things they see, know and understand. By providing them with the opportunity to use ipads to create videos and classroom books illustrating their knowledge and understanding, we are going to learn so much more about them as individuals and gain insight into their unique and creative perspectives of the world as they see it. I can not wait to share with you the creative ways my students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of their curriculum standards. Thank you so very much for believing in me and my wonderful students!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sorrell
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and one other donor.Special Books for Special Kids
Funded Aug 27, 2013Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!! I can't tell you how thrilled I am this project was funded! My students have intellectual disabilities and Autism, so many of them have not yet developed a love/appreciation for independent reading. The Speakaboos Digital Picture Books subscription will be an engaging resource for my children. The colorful images and interactive nature of the program is sure to excite my students while developing a greater appreciation for reading independently.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sorrell
This classroom project was brought to life by AKJ Books and 9 other donors.Vivid Visual Supports
Funded Mar 9, 2013Thank you so very much for supporting my classroom and my wonderful group of students! Having a color printer in our classroom has given us instant access to colorful and vibrant visual supports. Using Visual Supports with our children who have Autism is an Evidenced Based Practice that increases comprehension, positive behavior, and communication opportunities.
I have been able to create colorful visual schedules for my students to use. Using visual schedules with my students, helps reduce their anxiety and gives them a clear understanding of what to expect during their school day. I have also been able to create vibrant token economy boards. Using the token economy board and reinforcement menu with my students, has increased positive behavior and has provided my nonverbal students with the opportunity to select exactly what they want to work for.
Because of your generosity, I have been able to support positive classroom behavior and therefore I have increased instructional time. My students and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sorrell
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: We've Got to Learn
Funded May 24, 2013Thank you so much for seeing the value of this incredible project! I appreciate the fact that you recognize the vision and efforts I have for my students! We are so excited about learning how green initiatives benefit our communities using hands on experiences. These projects will give my students with Autism and Downs Syndrome life skill lessons that will stay with them for years to come. By recycling plastic bags and offering a reusable tote that the child gets to decorate, we are educating and reducing the amount of waste in our community. My students will also run their very own classroom recycling center, where they will be required to sort classroom waste.
This project includes fun incentives for my students as they learn the value of green initiatives in our school community and beyond. Thanks again for funding this project and supporting my students with special needs! I can't wait to share our photos with you, so you can see the wonderful things your donations have provided my students and the amazing ways we will use them!!!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sorrell
This classroom project was brought to life by Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation and one other donor.Kinect With Us!!
Funded May 16, 2013This morning when I opened my e-mail, I was notified that , my classroom project, Kinect With Us, was fully funded! When I arrived at school, I shared the exciting news with my students and I have to say, the look on some of their their faces was truly priceless!
The XBOX 360 with Kinect is going to provide my students with an age appropriate leisure activity, that will keep my students physically active on rainy days, improve their social skills, and increase hand eye coordination. I can't wait to see their faces when they open the box and are able to use it for the very first time! I want to thank each of you for making this project happen, your kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated !
I look forward to sharing with you, the positive impact that this project will have on my students.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sorrell
Therapeutic Art and Sensory Experiences Across the Curriculum
Funded Apr 4, 2013Words alone cannot express how honored I am that the Lily Sarah Grace Fund selected my classroom as a recipient of such a generous gift! When I walked into my classroom with the numerous boxes, my students were visibly excited! You would have thought it was Christmas!
This past week, my students celebrated Earth Day with culminating art projects and activities, using all of our brand new art supplies! Our theme for the week was "We Have the Whole World in our Hands". In one center, my students were able to use the construction paper and paint sponges we requested. I used the paint sponges to paint their hands green and we then pressed them onto blue paper, creating a replica of the earth. The next day, the children were asked to write out their Earth Day Promise. In another center, the children were able to use blue and green finger paints and finger paint paper, to create the earth as they see it. In our third and most popular center, the student each got a small handful of the green and blue scented dough, so they could create an actual model of the earth. When they were finished, they were allowed to freely explore with the new beads, finger paints and modeling dough.
This was an emotional experience for us, because for the first time ever, one of our students actually let us paint his hand and expressed enjoyment in exploring and working with his hands! Thank You so much for helping me provide these wonderfully therapeutic experiences to my students with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities. I am sincerely grateful.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sorrell
Splendid Centers
Funded Apr 5, 2013I am pleased to announce that we received the materials for our Splendid Centers project last week! When I arrived to the classroom with our boxes, you would have thought it was Christmas! All of the students closely watched, as I opened the boxes.
We have started using the centers as part of our daily Language Arts and Math rotations. Once the students fully understand how to complete each center, it will then be added to their independent work station.
The children have really enjoyed the Language Arts and Math Centers because they are interactive. After reading a simple book with predictable text, the students are able to use dry erase markers to answer comprehension questions aligned with the Common Core State Standards. I have no doubt that my children will soon be able to complete these activities independently, because they are so engaging! Each of the Language Arts and Math Centers are visually stimulating, with simple and easy to follow instructions, helping my students with Autism and significant cognitive delays to increase their independence and more importantly, their self-confidence! Your donations have brought smiles to my student's faces and for that I am most appreciative.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sorrell