Past projects 4
Show What You Know! An iPad for Pre-K
Funded May 8, 2024I cannot thank you enough for your generosity. My classroom of non-speaking special education students have had opportunities to show what they know through various avenues of communicating. I was able to download a voice output app that allows them to communicate during class lessons. I use various programs to assess their learning such as Boom Learning.
I have also been able to take so many pictures throughout their day as they explore their centers and upload those pictures to our curriculum website as a means to document their learning. My students have all warmed up to getting their pictures taken and have even shown an interest in taking pictures of their creations in the block center, their friends, and taken selfies with adults in their rooms.
It's been overall a positive experience for my students and I am so appreciative of your help to make this happen for them.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lauria
This classroom project was brought to life by General Motors and 4 other donors.A Writing Center Guaranteed to Engage!
Funded May 4, 2021I cannot thank you all enough for your generosity. The writing center table is set up in my classroom and is used throughout the day. When engaged in center time, students can freely go to the writing center that is set up with all the writing materials they need and practice their writing. For students who are still learning to write, they have fine motor tasks available to them to strengthen their hand muscles and encourage them to engage in other writing tasks.
My students were so excited when they saw the big box enter the classroom. Once it was out and built, they swarmed to the desk and wouldn't leave it. Some students even brought materials from other centers to engage at the table!
With this writing center in place, I can also focus on my students' sensory needs and work on seating arrangements that will allow them to continue to be successful. I'm hoping my future projects will allow for that.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lauria
Adapted Books For All Learners!
Funded Mar 27, 2018Words cannot describe the gratitude I felt when I saw that my project had been funded. Having these materials at hand to create the adapted books for my kids have been such a huge help.
My Kindergarten kids have Autism. Many of them are just learning the basics to communicating and learning that words have meaning to them. What I was able to create with the materials was a series of adapted books that focuses on "core vocabulary" that my kids are learning. Words like "hi" "goodbye" "help" "what" "eat' "drink" are just the tip of the iceberg of the words they are learning to use to communicate. These books just help them reach their "ah ha" moment.
The smile on their faces are just priceless.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lauria
This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple.Helping My Students With Autism Communicate
Funded Jul 7, 2013I can not thank you enough for all of your very generous donations. It has been a true blessing for my students to help them communicate and learn. Although the majority of my students are non-verbal, I could see their eyes light up when I took out our IPAD. They knew exactly what it was as I was taking it out of the box, and they were really excited.
We've been using the IPAD during our Morning Calendar lesson - everyday they tell me today's date and what special activities we have that day, using a GOTALK app to improve communication. Some of my kids have even started repeating the date as they go! We use the same GOTALK app to go over vocabulary words for the week, and for spelling. I've also downloaded another app, Verbally, which contains a keyboard, so my students can work on spelling and typing.
This resource has given my students a voice. They know how to go to the specific apps to tell me something. Some are repeating words, and some have improved their articulation from listening to the voices used from these apps. They are able to answer questions about a book, they have improved social skills and turn taking skills, and some have improved their math skills as well. Everyday I see someone's light bulb turn on when they "get it". I am eternally grateful for that.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lauria