SLC PPCD Fresh Start

Funded Dec 4, 2017

I cannot begin to describe the feelings I have as a special education teacher as I watched my students eyes light up with pure excitement when we opened up our boxes from your generous donation. We have already done so many things with these supplies. As their teacher I was able to laminate the file folder games that each student uses daily to do independent tasks. They had been using old materials from years past that I was able to find until I could laminate these. They turned out beautifully and the students couldn't be more happy learning with them.

We recently made "clean mud" using a mixture of ivory soap, toilet paper and warm water. The students worked on their fine motor skills by "shaving" the bars of soap with tongue depressors then tore the toilet paper into pieces. We combined this in a big container and added some warm water. After much squishing, adding, and play, we got the consistency just right. We decided that this mud needed something so we pulled out the chunky animals you donated and decided which ones would live in water or cold environments. Those ended up "living" in our mud.

We use the paints and brushes almost daily, making monoprints, mosaics, handprints, feet prints, painting with cotton balls or cut up sponges. This is such a wonderful way from students to put a little expressive twist on their work. The mess is an added bonus!

Last week our theme was simple machines and we used the balls and ramps you donated to create many variations of ramps, different heights, lengths, added tape for friction, etc. We used the different balls to test which was the fastest, slowest then we tried other objects like cars, blocks. We made Baracades to see if we could build enough speed to break through the barrier also.

All of my students are on the autism spectrum and have a tough time socializing, but since they opened their donations they have been so much more willing to participate knowing they will be having fun....even if they are learning something new. Fine motor control is one of the harder things for my students to master and having the tools to aid in strengthening those muscle groups without them noticing and having fun at the same time is more than I can put into words. The hammer pad with the nails is a big hit. We use it with one to two students at a time and watching them place the nail and try to drive it into the base while enjoying themselves is so rewarding.

You have truly helped my classroom become a more cohesive and productive environment. We are rebuilding a little at a time, our homes, schools, churches and community. Thank you for being a part of that! I could never thank you enough.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Hathaway