Mrs. M.'s Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 4

• Classifying and Categories for Kids...

  Funded Oct 30, 2009

  Thank you greatly for the generous donation to this project. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to you. You have no idea how much these new "cool" , updated and colorful games and manipulative activites impacts on my students. Because my students are Deaf and learn through tangible and visual means, having these new games has generated a new motivation to learn. Not only are these children learning speech and language through these tools, but they are learning a variety of life's lessons. Students are learning to share, problem solve, be part of a team, make decisions, take turns, have patience, read and follow directions and are really motivated to take on a challenge.

  It is not uncommon that students will stop by my room and ask to come in and play (learn) with the new games. They don't even realize that they are learning while playing. In many cases kids will select a game that is slightly above their skill level just for the personal challenge. This is learning at its' best.

  I have seen an increase not only in motivation, but in their skill levels and achievement toward their individual goals. This is a significant move toward changing lifestyle and long term achievement. Thank you for being part of a experience that will forever change the lives of these students.

  ”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. M.

• Touching Sounds Through Play

  Funded Oct 6, 2009

  There are not enough words to express my sincere gratitude for being a generous donor to this wonderful program. The school district in which I work has not had and will continue not to have funds for updated supplies and support tools for the children. Typically, what supplies and tools I have to work with are those that have been drawn and created by me or handed down from other staff. Although I love to play quasi-artist, what I provide is not as motivating to the children as "cool" updated, colorful, real boardgames and activities.

  I encouraged the children to help me open the boxes full of toys and games. It was like a holiday!! The children could not wait to play the board games and manipulate the various activities. At that moment the new journey began; many new learning experiences were be had. With so many options, the children of all ages had to make choices, learn to compromise, play fair, learn about sportsmanship, patience, learn that you don't win all the time, not everything is easy, teamwork and use problem solving and prediction skills...all of that on top of their individual language and speech goals.

  I have seen even after such a short time, the motivation for wanting to learn improve. Students often given the chance will select games that are a bit above their academic skill level wanting to take a challenge. When they succeed they feel good about themselves, when they feel good about themselves, then the cycle of wanting to learn is set into motion.

  My room is now "the place to be". Students stop into my room and ask about coming in and playing a specific game. It really is fun when the kids are begging to play these language focused games and they don't even recognize that they are learning a specific skill.

  These manipulatives and board games are ever so important because my kids need learning tools that are tangible and visual. All the students are Deaf, many with additional cognitive, physical or learning disabilities. Their learning comes from making associations between what they see and feel, not what they hear. These games certainly fit that criteria.

  Thank you so much for your donation to the children of my school. These fantastic games and activities serve every student in the building. It's people like you who make our jobs more enjoyable, rewarding and help set students up for improved achievement.

  ”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. M.

• Fun With Vocabulary Building

  Funded Oct 30, 2009

  I want to express my sincere gratitude to you for your generosity in contributing to this project through DonorsChoose. In light of the current economic climate in this city and school district, classrooms have not been given any funds in which to purchase any materials for student use. I have been working with the same self-made outdated materials, games and supplies for years. These new games and toys for the children are a blessing.

  The children that I serve have been so excited to play with the new brightly colored updated games which covertly teach them and focus on their goals without them realizing it. They love the new games that provide tangible feedback. I am now able to offer a variety of structured, interesting, exciting options for the kids to play. They love being able to pick out a new game. The kids are so much more motivated to attempt a game that may be above their level and push their limits because the visual stimulus is current and meets their "cool" factor! The kids are not only addressing their IEP goals using these games, but also learning good sportsmanship, turn-taking and improving their problem solving skills. It really is amazing that kids who once were not so enthusiastic about drills and my personally drawn artwork games are now turned on by the new real board games; they are much more engrossed in the process of learning and motivation is not an issue. Competition can surely be a good motivator to learn.

  Truthfully, I have seen an improvement towards student goals since acquiring these games, as well as an improvement in student participation and motivation. Having been given the opportunity to encourage the love of learning by means of these games is just a start to student achievement. Thank you so very much for your gracious generosity.

  ”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. M.

• Silly Sales In The Speech Store

  Funded Mar 11, 2008

  I'm jumping out of my skin as I am so thrilled that you have made the gracious and generous effort to donate to such a terrific group of kids. They will benefit so much from these materials.

  I am so anxious to provide these children with such a grand opportunity. To practice needed, functional and practical skills in a real-like setting will be an invaluable life long tool to them and they just think it is fun play!!!

  Bless generous people like you!!

  Regards,

  Cynthia

  Speech and Language Pathologist

  Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearin”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. M.