Past projects 6
Lets Be Happy and Germ Free!
Funded Oct 25, 2017Thank you so much for donating to our classroom! I am pleased to be able to let you know that the supplies you have sent are being used on a daily basis.
As you know, the flu has hit hard this year, and we have been working to keep our students safe and healthy. We use the disinfecting wipes on our classroom tables every day to keep our classroom as germ-free as possible! The students are not only learning hygiene, but they are learning some basic daily life skills when we teach them how to clean the tables.
All of the students were very excited to be able to explore the new sensory toys. These toys went into incentive boxes, that the students have a chance to use at the end of an activity or work center. When they are excited about a new favorite toy to play with after they do their work, they are more motivated to complete the work. This helps teach them that we can work first and then play, and helps our day run smoothly when they get these little sensory breaks throughout the day.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Taylor
Hands-On Science!
Funded Feb 8, 2017Thank you so much for your generous donations of science materials to my classroom! My students learn best with hands-on learning, and these materials have helped make an impact on them.
We spent one afternoon searching for leaves, sticks, and caterpillars to go in our butterfly garden. My students are learning about the life cycle of a butterfly, so they are excited to see what happens next with the caterpillar. They each picked out leaves for it to munch on, as well as sticks where it might find a comfortable place for its chrysalis.
My students have also been enthralled with the sensory dome, and are excited to see the plants grow into it. They had a lot of fun even setting the dome up, watching how the condensed dirt packets started to expand when hydrated.
As we near the end of the school year, it has been great to be able to pull out some new, fun activities for the students. Throughout the year they have been learning and growing in many ways, and I am excited to see what more they learn with these new science materials.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Taylor
Let's Read!
Funded Nov 22, 2016Thank you so much for providing more books for my student library! My students have loved exploring the new books, that have a wide variety of topics to capture interest.
Every morning we have time for independent reading, as we let everyone prepare for the day before our first center. I've noticed students picking a variety of books to read and look at. The students have a wide variety of abilities in reading, from complete non-readers to being able to decode simple texts. Even the non-readers are engaged and interested in these books.
As a second year teacher, I am still working on building my classroom library. It is a blessing to have these books provided!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Taylor
Classroom Supplies
Funded Aug 2, 2016Thank you so much for your contribution to my classroom! My students love using all the new reinforcers such as play-dough, puffer balls, and water beads. We use reinforcers after activities to keep the students motivated throughout the day, and give them short breaks in between activities. These are supplies that are so necessary to the function of our classroom.
We use a lot of Velcro in order to use materials over and over throughout the year, rather than printing copies that get used and thrown away on a daily basis. To keep germs at bay, the students use wipes to clean off all the tables at the end of the day. These supplies are necessary, but end up being costly as well. It is such a blessing to have the entire year of supplies already provided!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Taylor
It's Hard To Stay Calm!
Funded Mar 9, 2016Thank you so much for funding this project! We had some of the Best School Days ever when we got the news we were funded and then received the materials! My students are significantly impacted by autism, and the sensory and calming tools provided have been a blessing to all of them.
My students try their best every day to have a great day at school, but at times become overwhelmed by sensory integration problems, and by the difficult task of staying calm within their own bodies. The weighted lap pad and weighted snake have been so helpful in providing sensory feedback and pressure that helps relax and calm the body. The desk-er-cisers (bands that wrap around the chair legs) get used frequently throughout the day. Some of the students like to put their feet inside the band, and some like to bounce their legs on top of the band. Both ways provide sensory support for the student without becoming a distraction or disruption to that student or to any others in the class.
My students face academic, social, developmental, and sensory challenges throughout the day, but still come to school with a positive attitude every single day. I am blessed to be their teacher, and am so thankful for the support you have given to my classroom.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Taylor
Reading Books
Funded Feb 9, 2016Dear Donors,
Thank you so much for your contribution to reading books in my classroom! As a first year teacher, I am slowly building my classroom, and my library is one of the areas I need the most help with. I am pleased with the great start that I have had in building a library for my students. They need books that are appropriate reading levels for them, as well as books that are of topics they find interesting. The students in my class are on the autism spectrum, and are taught on alternative curriculum. Their reading levels are very far below their peers. However, I am teaching them that they can still enjoy books and reading just as much as proficient readers are able to!
The books arrived just in time for Dr. Seuss week at school, and we were able to participate in the school-wide, weeklong celebration of Dr. Seuss. Each morning I read a Dr. Seuss book to my students, and accompanied it with an art or other type of learning project. Dr. Seuss continues to be a favorite among my students, and they are often picked for reading time in the mornings. One morning, I read "Hop on Pop", and came to a page where the character "Pat" is told "NO PAT NO, Don't Sit on That" accompanied by a picture of a creature about to sit on a cactus. One of my students found this absolutely hilarious and starting laughing uncontrollably. It is one of my greatest joys in class to hear my students laughing and finding something so appropriately funny.
Through your donation, I have also been able to introduce my students to some of my favorite books, the Elephant & Piggie books, by Mo Willems. Willems started his career as a writer and animator for Sesame Street, and has a natural gift at writing for children. Elephant and Piggie are two best friends who always have an adventure together, and express this through lots of action, creative illustrations, and storytelling with very little language. I love to use these books to introduce social situations to my students, such as how friends treat each other, and how to be a good friend.
Your generosity has made a positive impact in my class, and will continue to be used for many years to come. Thank you so much for your support in building our classroom library!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Taylor