Past projects 2
Calming Area
Funded Apr 3, 2023Thank you so much for funding a Calming Corner for my EEC/PCC collaborative classroom for 3-5 year olds. My class is composed of both Special Education and General Education students. They have all grown up in the pandemic and for some students, half their life was spent isolated at home and outside was always masked up and avoiding people. Even this year, when masks were not required, several students still wanted to wear a mask out of comfort and habit.
The items that we now have help my students to calm down or relax. They love the bean bags and fidget toys that they can play with quietly. The bean bags are a new sensory experience that helps many of them feel nestled and pressed upon, which is very comforting. The rug is also a new sensory experience that they can have. During naptime, the lullabies/nature noises that play from the noise machine help them fall asleep and also experience nature sounds that they otherwise would not experience in the heart of Los Angeles. Thank you so much for helping the little ones in my classroom!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Tagawa (Ms. T)
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great®.Zooming in on Smiling Faces
Funded Mar 29, 2021Thank you so much for your generous donation of a second screen during the lock-down portion of the pandemic. "Zooming in on Smiling Faces" helped me tremendously to be a more effective teacher. With two screens, I was able to see my four and five-year-old students on one screen and what I was presenting on the other screen. This was key to teaching a more effective lesson. With one screen, I saw if the children were engaged, if they were in front of their camera, or if someone was having technology issues. With the other screen, I was able to see the lesson or book presented and see it from the students' computer view. School ran much more smoothly because I was able to read the children's faces as well as my own lessons. I was able to adjust as needed, just like in the classroom.
In addition, when there were meetings with families, it was a relief to be able to see the progress reports or individualized education plan papers and the families' faces as well. The second screen allowed me to have the next best thing to being physically together. We were able to see each other's faces, look at papers, and have a more natural conversation. My focus was on the families and not guessing what they were feeling or fixing the computer.
Unfortunately, the students were not aware that I had a second screen, but they certainly felt the benefit. On my dining room table, a "movie set" was set up of class projects and cheerful class items that helped them feel more comfortable. We all worked on projects, such as creating the houses for The Three Little Pigs. We cut, colored, read stories, discussed, and broke into smaller groups on Zoom for more personal instruction. Each child proudly retold the story of the Three Little Pigs with the houses they built. We took screen shots after a project was completed and it was amazing because I was able to see everything going on! Thank you again for making the stressful time a little bit easier and better for my class.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Tagawa (Ms. T)
This classroom project was brought to life by Two Screens for Teachers and 2 other donors.