Mrs. Diorio's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 5

• Literacy for Deaf/Hard of Hearing

  Funded Dec 29, 2022

  By supporting our project, you have given our Deaf/HH students a Language Arts curriculum that has been developed for them. We are learning how to convert an English sentence into an American Sign Language sentence, as well as learning multiple meaning words. Both of these are extremely difficult concepts, but through practice and repetition, the students are making great strides. As we continue, we support our students by using the recommended Spelling word list and Figurative Language.

  Thank you again for your donation and providing our students with this amazing opportunity!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Diorio

  This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 3 other donors.

• Deaf Literacy

  Funded Sep 20, 2022

  Thank you so very much for your generous donation to make our ASL Word Wall a success. As you can see, an ASL Word Wall is different from an English Word Wall. The students are learning signings that have been developed using the Bedrock Literacy Curriculum for Deaf/Hard of Hearing students. As the students learn the signs (the meaning as well as how to spell it), we post a different colored sticker on the card. The color of the sticker correlates to the location in which a word is signed. As a result, students who do not know how to spell a word for their writing journal, can identify the location of the sign, match it to the color and find the word. This has worked out beautifully!!!!

  Thank you again! Without your support, this would not be possible!!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Diorio

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 4 other donors.

• Listen With My Eyes, Speak With My Hands

  Funded Sep 30, 2020

  After our first inservice day, my co-teacher and I had the opportunity to start to look over the curriculum. Because this is a curriculum, the implementation will be gradual over the course of the school year. However, we did start to develop a foundation for reading, spelling, and writing.

  With spelling, we have learned new ways to practice each words. Games were provided and skills on hand-shapes have been provided for reinforcement and practice. These are proven ways to provide assistance for children with hearing loss to learn their spelling words. In Writing, we have been started the foundation of developing a Word Wall designed for Deaf/Hard of Hearing. The Word Wall is based on hand-shapes instead of the alphabet. Reading has provided us ideas to help develop comprehension of sentences in both English and ASL.

  We look forward to using this exciting curriculum!

  Thank you again!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Diorio

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and one other donor.

• STEM Projects!

  Funded Dec 31, 2019

  It is with great appreciation that I write this letter to you, our donors, for our STEM project. Words cannot express how grateful we are to have this experience. The students had the opportunity to engage in a memorable experience.

  Thanks to your donation, the students were able to learn about the art of engineering and the complexity of building bridges and other mass structures. We were introduced with a small presentation, then the students were able to use the STEM kits to build their structures. They learned the importance of following the "blue prints" and also learned what happened when they didn't. :) After, the students were then given the opportunity to be creative and develop their own structures, then took turns sharing it with their classmates.

  The students were so excited for this opportunity. They continue to use the STEM kits during their free time. It is a great opportunity for the students to develop their creativity and interact with one another. They look forward to our engineer coming again in the future!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Diorio

• Love of Literacy

  Funded Nov 21, 2019

  Since the donation of the books to our classroom, our students have developed a different perspective on literature. Research shows the importance of reading to your child. However, when hearing parents have a child who is deaf, this isn't so easy for the family. Often times, the parents are learning American Sign Language (ASL) at the same rate, or sometimes slower, then their child. Parents are trying their best, but the messages in literature can be difficult for parents and families to convey. Knowing this, we have now incorporated the literature in our classroom instruction. We have developed and and are developing units of study with each book. Currently we are exploring Alex and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

  This book is great for our students on so many different levels. We completed an author and illustrator study, discussed the story elements, and found synonyms for "bad" and the different emotions, the main character was feeling throughout the story. We used this as an opportunity to discuss what we should do if we are having these same feelings. This also relates to the Mindfulness philosophy our school has incorporated.

  The students enjoy discussing what they have learned with each other and enjoy the opportunity to share the book with their families. We greatly appreciate this opportunity!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Diorio