Past projects 5
Flexible Seating for Focus
Funded Sep 6, 2023Thank you for your love and care for the students of PS 97. The bouncy bands are on their second year and going strong in supporting the learning of my fifth graders with special needs. They use the bouncy bands everyday to let out their energy or to focus while sitting in their seats.
In fifth grade, students have to do a lot of writing so I see that requires the most concentration. As you know, sitting for a full hour in one position is hard, but it is especially challenging for students with learning disabilities. While many of my students use wobble stools this year, they like to tuck in their chair in front of their desks to still access the bouncy bands while sitting on a wobble stool!
I am motivated and encouraged by people like you who show support to us educators. Thank you.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Soh
This classroom project was brought to life by Charles Schwab and 3 other donors.Calming Corner for Kids
Funded Aug 15, 2024My classroom has a beautiful area for the Calming Corner. The cozy purple disk chair faces the large windows overlooking the Bronx neighborhood. There is a poster facing the chair that teaches how to "circle breathe" by taking deep, slow breaths. To the left of the chair is a desk with a bin that is filled with various, colorful fidgets.
After teaching students what and how the Calming Corner is to be used, they couldn't wait to try it out. There have been a couple times after lunch and recess where students have come in upset about something that happened in the yard. I allow them to sit in the area and hug Mia, the weighted monkey, and they indeed are able to calm down within ten minutes. Otherwise, the students can use the fidgets like the stress balls when they have to let out their energy in other ways during lessons.
The Calming Corner is the children's favorite part of the classroom, and we are so grateful for caring donors like you.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Soh
This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and 3 other donors.Back to Basics: School Supplies for Special Needs
Funded Aug 14, 2024Thank you for your generous donation to my classroom. Every student has their own dry erase board, eraser, and markers for our math small groups. We also use the boards frequently during our writing time. Since all my students have learning disabilities, they have difficulty with writing on their own. When they need a sentence starter or have to talk about what to write, I write it on their boards for them and they can reference it.
I also used your donation to provide each student a number line (taped at the top of their desks) to reference when they need to do quick adding or subtracting. This tool helps them with number sense by visualizing the action of addition and subtraction. My students like to touch or circle the starting number and "jump count" forwards or backwards to the end number.
The magnetic curtain rod is used to hang the flip calendar students see everyday. It is easy to change the date and I never have to write the date on the board again! It is one of the student's jobs every afternoon to switch the calendar.
Thank you again for making a positive impact on my students'
learning.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Soh
This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and 2 other donors.Caring with Color
Funded Aug 15, 2023My students all have learning disabilities, so I have to scaffold and modify every assignment and learning target. One of the ways I do so is through color coding. I have found it especially helpful in writing, where they are currently working on writing a complete paragraph. Like many other teachers, I have found the "sandwich method" makes sense to children. The top and bottom buns are the topic and closing sentences, the main ideas are the "meat", and the supporting details are the "lettuce and cheese". With the color printer, I am able to create color-coded writing scaffolds that have each line colored with the sandwich item!
I have seen the students interested in the writing task because it is in color, and they are able to connect their writing ideas to the colored lines and know what goes in each section. Thanks to your donation, my students are able to write a paragraph using color as a helpful guide. Not to mention, my classroom looks beautiful with all the colors for the labels, signs, and posters. This printer is definitely getting a workout!
Thank you so much for caring with color!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Soh
This classroom project was brought to life by The SONIC Foundation and 9 other donors.Seat Sacks for Fifth
Funded Sep 5, 2023I’m beyond grateful for your donation to the fifth grade students. You’ve just helped make their year so much better. With these seat sacks, my students will have their books and other supplies close by whenever they need. Thank you so much for providing us with these much needed supplies.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Soh
This classroom project was brought to life by Dial® and one other donor.