Past projects 8
Special Needs Preschoolers Learning Remotely
Funded Sep 16, 2020This project has had a significant impact on my student's learning and enjoyment of distance learning. Preschool is supposed to be fun with lots of hands on exploring. Prior to receiving the materials for this project, we were using mostly Google slides, aligning with the curriculum. Now, students are far better engaged because each one received a bag filled with hands on manipulatives which are far more fun and engaging than looking at slides for the entire day!
I included a couple of pictures of students receiving their bags when I did the curbside drop-off. All were beyond thrilled with their new materials which were given with the explicit instructions that it was to be saved and used only during Zoom class. The contents of each bag held materials that they were familiar with using in our onsite preschool classroom. Materials that they loved having access to at school. I think the bag added a level of comfort while distance learning.
I will be introducing them next semester to some measurement activities using the linking cubes. We will also compare two number amounts showing more and less using the cubes and we will create patterns. A whole new world awaits us!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Wiecks
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose 20th Anniversary Fund and 17 other donors.Special Education Preschoolers Need Classroom iPad
Funded Jul 27, 2017My students are loving the iPad! There are many fantastic apps to be used for learning and developing language. They now have the opportunity to color mix and paint on the iPad, trace letters and numbers, sort by various attributes, create patterns, sing along to songs, and design people using various shapes.
The iPad is a great reward for preferred behavior. It's motivating for some students who are challenged socially or behaviorally to know that they will get rewarded with time on the iPad for appropriate interactions with their peers.
My students and I thank you for your generosity! Please know that you have made a positive impact on our learning environment. We are so happy that you choose to not only support our project, but that you support Donors Choose. It is an amazing organization and you are amazing for your contributions.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Wiecks
This classroom project was brought to life by Omidyar Network and 7 other donors.Special Needs Preschoolers Need Technology Tool
Funded Mar 19, 2016Dear Donors:
My students are loving the iPad! I use it on a daily basis as a learning tool and as a positive reinforcer for several students who have behavioral issues. Five minutes on the iPad is a great motivator for 3 and 4 year olds.
I waited to send this thank you note as I wanted to see their progress across the language, cognitive and fine motor domains. The students have become mostly independent in finding the apps on the screen that I downloaded to best meet their current needs. Students who were not able to swipe last spring are now doing so with ease. Students are tracing letters, words and numbers. They are also patterning, matching the same, and sorting by 2-3 attributes. What I think I have loved the most is hearing the non-verbal students showing intent to speak by imitating sounds, word approximations and words. It's really thrilling to hear a student who started with no intent to speak, start vocalizing. Speaking is a skill most of us are fortunate to take for granted.
I grateful that you choose my project to support and I am grateful that you selected Donors Choose as an organization to contribute money. It is an amazing organization that does tremendous work for our schools. Thank you very much for your support of Donors Choose and my classroom. All of you made a difference!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Wiecks
This classroom project was brought to life by #BestSchoolDay and 10 other donors.Non-ambulatory Preschoolers Need Taxi-Trikes
Funded Sep 7, 2015My special education students, who are 3 and 4 years of age, and I would like to thank you for your very generous contribution to our outdoor area. Love is an understatement to how they feel about the taxi-trikes. There was much excitement when we opened the boxes on the yard and took the parts out. Several of the students (those with longer attention spans) even helped the classroom assistant who is not "assembly required" challenged put the trikes together. This gave an even greater sense of ownership to the trikes.
The trikes are in frequent use on a daily basis. My favorite thing about the trikes is that my non-ambulatory students get to experience the thrill of going around the yard on a trike instead of watching their ambulatory peers have all the fun. My yard has no equipment for students with mobility issues. Until we received the taxi-trikes, those students spent their recess sitting at a table or on a mat doing activities while their peers ran, climbed, and rode trikes. Your gift enabled the yard activities to become more equitable. We have begun to work on following driving rules and signs. We will be forever grateful for your kindness!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Wiecks
Nonverbal Special Needs Preschoolers Want to Communicate
Funded Oct 20, 2014On behalf of my special education 3, 4 and 5 year olds, I would like to thank your for your kindness in funding the iPad minis for our classroom. The kids were thrilled beyond words when they saw what was inside the box. It was a challenge for them to remain seated on the carpet without getting up on their knees or moving closer to me to have a better look.
We use the iPads daily during center time. Students use it for 10-15 minutes. Most students are on it at least every other day. Four of my students who need more language support are on it daily and for a longer amount of time. The students use it to develop language, fine motor, and cognitive skills. I use it to assess progress and skill levels. The wide range of apps makes it easy to personalize use targeting the needs of each student.
The iPad has improved communication and articulation in the students. Letter, number, color, and shape recognition have improved as has patterning. I withhold use for nonverbal students until they verbally or nonverbally tell me "more". It"s been an effective tool for increasing the ability to communicate verbally or through picture what the student wants to do. We have especially enjoyed discovering which apps are the most fun and/or effective. Now that I see the impact of having one iPad in my room, it makes me realize I need to see if I can get several more funded. It is a highly motivating tool to use in the classroom. Thank you for your generosity!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Wiecks
Nonverbal Special Needs Preschoolers Learn to Communicate!!
Funded Sep 15, 2014My students were very excited to start using the iPad! There was "oohing" and lit up faces as I introduced a few apps in whole group circle time. And, an inability to remain in their spots as one, then all, wanted to move closer. It was very exciting for the students.
We use the iPad daily during center time. Students use it for 10 minutes. Most students are on it at least every other day. Four of my students who need more language support are on it daily and for a longer amount of time. The students use it to develop language, fine motor, and cognitive skills. I use it to assess progress and skill levels. The wide range of apps makes it easy to personalize use targeting the needs of each student.
The iPad has improved communication and articulation in the students. Letter, number, color, and shape recognition have improved as has patterning. I will withhold use for nonverbal students until they verbally or nonverbally tell me "more". It"s been an effective tool for increasing the ability to communicate verbally or through picture what the student wants to do. Now that I see the impact of having one iPad in my room, it makes me realize I need to see if I can get several more funded. Thank you for your generosity!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Wiecks
Special Needs Preschoolers Cut, Paste, Paint, Create!
Funded Jul 17, 2013On behalf of my special education 3 and 4 year olds, I would like to thank your for your kindness in funding the art supplies for our classroom. The kids really enjoy creating and learning whether through a directed lesson or through free art centers. We do several projects a day which means we go through a lot of consumable materials throughout the course of a school year.
My students have a variety of disabilities including Autism, Medical Disability, and Intellectual Disability. All are nonverbal. The supplies you contributed to my program give the students a chance to explore and create using a variety of materials. This helps develop communication and gives the opportunity to overcome sensory issues. Your generosity has had an amazing impact on the students!
As you can see by the pictures we posted, we use many mediums in our work. Paint, markers, water colors, buttons, sequins, glitter glue, roller art, felt, dot art, pasta, various papers, shaving cream...æthe list could go on and on. Two of the pictures have a recent project where the students tore a variety of papers and glued them to construction paper to make a paper collage. A great deal is learned through exploration.
Thank you for choosing my project! You have made an immense contribution to the learning challenges of my very special students and it is truly appreciated!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Wiecks
Special Needs Preschoolers are Ready to Learn!!
Funded Nov 13, 2012The students LOVE the materials you contributed to my special needs preschool classroom! So much that I have had to place a limit on the number of students in the kitchen area at one time and many days have to set time limits so all those wanting to cook, serve, chop, or eat get a turn. They have incredible fun playing together as they measure, offer food, set the table, and even clean up. As I write this, I am realizing that of all the centers in my room, this has the least amount of conflict requiring teacher mediation or student negotiation.
The students are learning how to play cooperatively and are developing a lot of language using the materials available to them. Playing in the kitchen requires sharing and turn taking which are two important goals in a preschool program. I have 32 students on my roster and during the course of our 4 day school week, every student is in the kitchen at least one time. Even those that mainly prefer the train or blocks!
I end this with a huge thank you! I cannot say enough great things about Donors Choose and the people that support it. You all made a beautiful contribution to the success of my students!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Wiecks
This classroom project was brought to life by Kia Motors America and 4 other donors.