My students need materials that foster independent work skills such as a Locks and Switches board, Pre-Vocational Skills sets, and Picture Direction activities.
Adolescents love that feeling of independence. That's why as educators, we know they learn best through project based learning activities where they are expected to work independently and come up with a solution to a problem. Special Needs students are no different!
So much of my students days are spent in direct instruction with adults, either in a one:one setting or in a small group.
While they love the interaction, as adolescents, they yearn for the special feeling of accomplishment that you get when you finish a task independently. The smile on a student's face after completing a task "all by myself" is why I keep teaching.
My Project
The materials I have requested will give my special needs students the opportunity to develop the important independent work skills they will need after high school. My students need materials that foster independent work skills such as a Locks and Switches board, Pre-Vocational Skills sets, and Picture Direction activities. Activities specifically geared toward gaining practical post high school skills such as sorting, counting, assembly, and packaging are included in the materials I have selected for this project. In the classroom setting, students will have the opportunity to practice those skills with guidance, until they can perform the tasks independently. These kinds of activities are highly engaging for special needs students, and promote a feeling of success and positive self esteem. Every time they complete an activity independently, they are a worker, and a winner!
Donations to this project will fill a gap in our Essential Skills Classroom.
While I can eventually gather or make the materials needed for independent work skills tasks, that takes time. I want my students working toward success NOW! My students will leave high school having the skills it takes to work in the settings that they find interesting. They won't be held back because they are too dependent on adults to direct their work habits. Everyone wants independence!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Kroeger and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
