Past projects 4
Sensory Tools for a Calm Environment
Funded Nov 17, 2024I want to thank you for helping to support our new Wildcat Den & Sensory space. These items will have great impact on our students needs and help build a more calm and positive learning environment. Our students will be able to regulate their bodies and minds, and care for their mental health needs. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Herrmann
Make Learning Engaging with Hands-On Learning
Funded Dec 28, 2019My students have connected so much to the project of raising the ducks. The Ducks are currently "pipping", and soon they will have little ducklings to observe and see. Students have picked out an egg to watch and care for (weighing them, and learning what they need to survive).
A big piece is that most of our students have communication struggles. So the joy in seeing our students want to share this project with others, and teach others students what they have learned is amazing.
Thank you so much for bringing this opportunity to them. To see a students heart smile through the day is nothing but rewarding. I hope my pictures show you just how connected they are to such amazing opportunities.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Herrmann
Bring Fun Back to the Classroom!
Funded Jan 20, 2017Since we have begun to incorporate mathematical games and other resources on technology into our curriculum, our students have made many gains. At the beginning of this school year our students averaged 5 single digit addition or subtraction problems per minute. This fluency is very low! Then we started Friday Bingo (addition & subtraction), their fluency increased to an average of 15 single digit problems in a minute. This increase in fluency also helps them in their mainstream classroom; with more complicated worksheets, they focus on following directions, and keeping up with their peers vs. becoming overwhelmed with the complex styles of worksheets or the amount of problems on one worksheet. They all now have the confidence that they can finish their work in a decent amount of time; in order to have time for a break prior to moving on to the next academic. :)
We have also used Bingo Time, teaching students as a group to be able to read an analogue clock to the closet 5 minutes. This simple skill can be taken for granted in a digital age. Not only did they learn the skill to tell time, but it also impacts their knowledge on the concept of time, learning to read a schedule, and learning how to independently mainstream.
This wonderful gift that you help provide made a huge impact on our students mathematical confidence in themselves. Bringing fun back into the learning environment has made a huge impact on our students desire to learn and motivation to do better.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Herrmann
Coping, Calming, Sensory Space Needs
Funded Sep 11, 2016The first day we introduced our students to their new resources they were so excited and full of smiles. They couldn't wait for an opportunity to use the space and the tools. Students spent calming time inside the swing, took their shoes off and sprawled out on the new mat on the floor. The new OT space has become a perfect calming area for our students to gather, or calm themselves alone. One of our staff is teaching meditation techniques. We have begun incorporating an occupational therapy schedule, providing a structured 10-15 minute independent session. We also incorporated a trampoline and a yoga ball, which help students release energy in a positive way. We have seen increases in whole body listening during direct instruction, and less behaviors. We are super excited and grateful to be able to offer these resources to these amazing group of kids.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Herrmann