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Ms. Siegfried's Classroom

  • PS K396 Sid Miller Academy
  • Brooklyn, NY
  • Nearly all students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

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Make a donation Ms. Siegfried can use on her next classroom project.

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Past projects 6

  • Circuit STEM and Sensory Stim

    Funded Aug 14, 2023

    Your generosity has helped my students in starting the school year off seamlessly. The batteries in all the Augmentative Alternative Communication devices are currently working. How awesome it is when the students press the button and the voice output is instantly elicited.

    The children's busy hands can be occupied, as needed, with a variety of the calming sensory objects. They especially enjoy watching the penguins climb up the stairs and slide all the way down. The excitement and focus is evident each time the children earn the reward of the penguin activity.

    The students learned about how electricity works and about the requisite circuit so that the electricity can flow. We used the battery eliminator as our power source. We learned that the electrons flow from the negative terminal to the positive terminal. We used two different types of switches and formed a variety of experiments, by snapping numerous parts onto the board, according to the directions. Completion of each experiment yielded exhilarating results when we saw and heard the effects. Experiments that were executed included the two-speed fan, the flying saucer, the alarm, and the lights.

    As always, I thank my DonorsChoose sponsors from the bottom of my heart.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Siegfried

  • Summer of Growth

    Funded Jun 29, 2023

    My students and the staff at P396k thoroughly enjoyed our Summer of Growth. We extend our profound gratitude for your assistance in making our ambitious plans come to fruition. We took many photos along the way, as we learned from the Summer of Growth science lessons. Photos do not adequately capture the enthusiasm of the staff and students.

    None of the scientific experiments were instantaneous. Each of the four projects took place over the course of the six-week summer session. We learned patience as we checked on the projects daily. Some needed daily actions or weekly actions, such as watering or feeding. My students were trained to be gentle with the live caterpillars and ants. By the end of the summer session, we were able to observe several sprouts from the plants and herb garden. Several of the ants were still active up until the last week. Additionally, we experienced a marvelous butterfly release on two separate days, as the butterfly wings were ready to fly.

    Many thanks for your financial assistance towards my DonorsChoose classroom. I feel as though I have a team of benefactors cheering me on as I do my life's work.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Siegfried

    This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and 7 other donors.
  • Math and Puzzles Are Fun

    Funded Mar 21, 2023

    I am writing to acknowledge your selfless contribution towards attaining the goal of providing supplies for my students. I rely on generous donors to fund some of the materials for my students, and your contribution adds to the classroom immensely by allowing me to purchase the additional items. Your thoughtfulness has allowed the children to engage in hands-on, high-interest manipulatives.

    The students have enjoyed interacting with the materials during a variety of lessons, as well as during sensory break time. The children are delighted each time we utilize the wind-up toys. The miniatures have been employed as hands-on visuals for animals and insects that are in the storybooks that we read. We have used the counters during math lessons. All in all, it has been a marvelous addition to our classroom activities.

    I sincerely thank you for your generosity.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Siegfried

  • Grinding with Gears and Coding Comprehension

    Funded Dec 5, 2022

    Thank you for sponsoring the iPad for the gear activity and entry-level coding apps. The apps that utilize gears and coding present a welcome challenge since they incorporate new concepts.

    My students benefited tremendously from access to iPad-based apps. My students employed the laws of physics in order to solve each problem. They went through the increasingly more demanding levels that build on the information gleaned from the previous levels. Additionally, these categories of apps taught some patience to my students, as they required well thought-out actions without impulsivity.

    Three students were jointly able to complete the first 50 levels of Crazy Gears, by providing verbal and gestural assistance to each other as they took turns with the task. The students employed the methods of trial and error in order to advance to the next level. They had to reconfigure the position of the parts when their method did not work. The adults in the classroom only intervened to assist the students towards navigating the turn-taking issues. Thereafter, the activity was expanded to include more students and to have the original three students interact with lower level students to assist them with the program. The students automatically achieved a sense of self-reflective success when they completed each level.

    I am very appreciative that you have joined me in assisting the next generation of scholars with technology advancement.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Siegfried

    This classroom project was brought to life by Cognizant Foundation.
  • Let's Build a STEM Center

    Funded Oct 1, 2016

    I am extending my deepest appreciation for the generous funding towards the Let's Build a STEM Center project. Part of our classroom has been transformed into a more hands-on learning station. The new building-related STEM center offers my students daily proactive methods of learning the applied sciences. They are also increasing their proficiency in scientific aspects such as gravity and balance. The children are expanding their ability to build with a variety of blocks as they figure out how they each interlock in a different manner. Several students required maximal physical assistance in order to first use each type of block. However, several sessions later, most can build nearly independently.

    The students are utilizing their budding problem solving skills during divergent play, as they realize that things can be built in different ways. Additionally, the bristle blocks offer a much-needed advantage of integrating sensory effects as they handle the blocks. The students enjoy squeezing them in their hands as they build with them.

    Thank you so much for granting my students the opportunity to enjoy yet another aspect of coming to school.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Siegfried

    This classroom project was brought to life by Con Edison and 4 other donors.
  • Kinesthetic Kids

    Funded Sep 23, 2016

    Dear Donors,

    Thank you so much for sponsoring my project. You cannot imagine the joy that was evident on my students' faces when I opened the box of Magna-tiles. They were eager to participate in a fun and educational activity.

    My students explored the scientific phenomenon of magnetism, as they formed basic structures. The children connected the tiles into various geometric shapes. The initial Magna-tile session began with significant directives and coaching. However, as the students continued to utilize the tiles, they were better able to build taller structures on their own. Several of the students increased their construction abilities by using the triangular shapes to form a roof. I predict that they will expand their skills in the near future. The self-directed play was a powerful tool towards their growth in active learning. As the children put the Magna-tiles together, they figured out what worked and expanded their problem solving skills. We look forward to using the Magna-tiles for many, many hours throughout the school years.

    It is heartwarming to know that I have your support. Your generosity is appreciated by myself, and especially by my students.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Siegfried

    This classroom project was brought to life by Con Edison and 9 other donors.
The school at which I work is located in the high-needs neighborhood of Brownsville, in Brooklyn, NY. I teach students who really like to come to school and enjoy learning. They clamor around to see the activities that I present and they share my excitement when we do projects. My students are challenged with severe cognitive disabilities, and many are on the spectrum. Most are minimally verbal or non-verbal, but appear to comprehend more than they can vocalize. The children are highly active, easily distracted, and enjoy hands-on activities to keep their attention and interest.

About my class

The school at which I work is located in the high-needs neighborhood of Brownsville, in Brooklyn, NY. I teach students who really like to come to school and enjoy learning. They clamor around to see the activities that I present and they share my excitement when we do projects. My students are challenged with severe cognitive disabilities, and many are on the spectrum. Most are minimally verbal or non-verbal, but appear to comprehend more than they can vocalize. The children are highly active, easily distracted, and enjoy hands-on activities to keep their attention and interest.

About my class

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