Mrs. Doran's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 8

• Calm and Cozy Window

  Funded Aug 2, 2023

  Our classroom looks even better with our new window film. The colors and pattern are beautiful and calming. We were able to install the window film before school started so at Open House it was one of the first thing our returning students noticed.

  The film helps the break spots feel even more cozy and give a semi-private feel for the students. In the small classrooms located within our classroom, the film allows the students to focus and not be distracted by activities in the larger classroom.

  Thank you again and again from my heart to yours.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Doran

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 7 other donors.

• A Cozy Nugget for My Amazing Nuggets

  Funded Feb 25, 2023

  Thank you so much for the nugget for our classroom. The students love using it for a cozy break spot, building different shapes, and an elevated floor surface for students with limited mobility. There are endless possibilities, but we put together a binder with pictures and directions for how to make different nugget arrangements. The students independently access the book and build on their own!

  When we practice playing board games the nugget is a great seating option for our students who are unable to sit on the floor. We can stack it to the perfect height and use the triangles for trunk support.

  Thank you again for your support of our classroom and our amazing students!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Doran

• Work System and Chill

  Funded Sep 17, 2021

  Thank you so much for the bean bag and bookshelves, they have greatly improved our classroom work system and break area. The bookshelves have made it much easier for all of our students to access the work bins and tasks. They do not have to struggle with a drawer retrieve tasks from a different area because they didn't fit. This alone has made the students feel more successful and independent. When they first saw the new shelves, one student, exclaimed "these are beautiful!" It really is the little things sometimes :)

  When students have completed their work system, they can move to the giant bean bag for a well earned break. They love the oversized bean bag, as it is so cozy. We appreciate your generosity in helping us to make our classroom as accessible and comfy as possible.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Doran

• Eat, Drink, and Be Independent

  Funded Aug 29, 2021

  Thank you so much for the items, they have really helped my students to be more independent. We use the plates, bowls, and microwave weekly during our cooking lessons. The students love being able to have their own supplies. Just last week, we made smoothie bowls and students got to pick their bowl and scoop their portion. This week, we made hot chocolate and the students were able to independently use the microwave to warm their milk to make their hot chocolate.

  Students use the cups and water bottles daily for water. They enjoy going to the sink, picking their color, filling up their water, and then taking their cup to their desk, independently! I am excited to plan more cooking lessons with our supplies, thank you again for your generosity.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Doran

• Mindfulness Matters

  Funded Aug 12, 2021

  Thank you so much for funding our project! We are using the materials daily in our classroom. Everyday, students set up their area for yoga. They choose a mat and a cushion. They settle in to a comfy seated position and start to deepen their breath. Using yoga pose visuals on the Smartboard, we move through our yoga sequence. I am so impressed by how well the students are able to move, find the poses, and hold. After gong through about 15 poses, the student end in a comfy sleeping pose, also known as shavasana. Here, they listen to a short guided meditation on the breath followed by sounding our classroom bell three times. Students find one last lotus pose and send their good vibes out into the universe.

  This practice has huge benefits for my students. They were so excited when we unrolled all the new mats and opened the cushions. They each took turns trying out the different materials and talking about how they felt. Having their own mat and cushion has really given them ownership of their practice. For many, they have gained confidence and are excited to try new poses. It was amazing how quickly they settled into the routine and now they look forward to our practice each day.

  I cannot express how honored I am that you chose to fund this project for our classroom, it is making a huge difference in a lot of lives. Many thanks for helping us grow our practice and finding some much needed peace in our school day. ~Namaste~”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Doran

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 8 other donors.

• Velcro and More Velcro

  Funded Nov 13, 2020

  Thank you so much for donating to our project for Velcro for our classroom. We have used the Velcro to make many materials for our classroom. Some of my student use a picture schedule to transition within the classroom and around the school. We used the Velcro to make each student an individualized schedule and to make icon boards for each of the areas in our classroom and school. These students take the schedule icons to these places and put them on the icon board to "check in" for the activity. This really helps them to stay organized, understand what they are working on, and what is next.

  Many of my students need to practice the skills we are learning repeatedly. I laminate and Velcro many of our learning activities so students can complete them more than once. Students get excited when they have mastered one of these learning activities and it can move to their independent work.

  Thank you so much for your generosity, this project is allowing my students to be more independent and successful.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Doran

• Fidgets for All

  Funded Sep 16, 2020

  Our class loves having our new fidgets! I was able to give each student a personal set of 3 fidgets to keep at their desk. They can access them whenever they need to at their desk, while working with a teacher, or take them to our break area in the room. Having so many fidgets has allowed for us to keep them separated, clean, and safe for the students. I was also able to build a few "go bags" for three of my students who require fidgets outside of our classroom, during transitions or grade level classes. Those fidgets can be cleaned and then kept in their bag so they do not mix with the others.

  Everyone was so excited to come to school and find the new fidgets in their drawer! My students have loved to explore the different textures and sounds of all the fidgets by keeping a set for a week, having them cleaned and "quarantined", and then rotating them to another student. This has helped students to find the fidgets that help them regulate the best. With our new social distancing guidelines, students are spending more time at their desk than usual, these fidgets give them something to do while they are waiting to transition or if they have finished their work early.

  I appreciate you supporting my classroom, it really does mean the world to me that there are so many people who would donate to help us get the materials we need. This really is my happy place and it brings me joy to see my students succeed and have the things they need to make school the best place it can be for them. Thank you for helping make that happen!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Doran

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose 20th Anniversary Fund and 6 other donors.

• Keeping Our Space and Staying Safe

  Funded Aug 27, 2020

  Thank you so much for funding our classroom project. We have set up each student with their own 3 drawer bin system next to their desk. One drawer is filled with fidgets and a blanket that they can access when they need to take a break. Another drawer is dedicated to technology, it holds their Chromebook and charger, and the third drawer varies, some students use it to keep their schedule in for easy access, some keep extra masks and personal items, and others keep school supplies and classwork in there.

  When students returned to school, after a very long break, they were so excited to see their own personal drawers next to their desk. We took time to show them what was already in them and gave them the opportunity to explore it and set up their third drawer however they would like. This gave each students such a sense of ownership and autonomy, and they were very pleased with themselves! The drawers have been so useful because all of my students, with varying disabilities, are able to manipulate and access the drawers independently. This has helped them transition back into the school environment and feel successful.

  During social skills instruction we work on identifying coping skills. We then begin using those coping skills, first as directed by the teacher, but eventually students request them independently. We have our own break room within our classroom stocked with bean bag chairs, weighted balls, low lights, and other sensory items. Students are still able to access this space bu bringing their own fidgets and/or blanket because we store them safely and separately in their 3 drawer bins. This helps us to stay calm and regulated throughout our school day. Thank you so much for your interest in our classroom. Our amazing students are very lucky to have donors like you!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Doran