Past projects 2
Help Me Talk!
Funded Mar 8, 2013Thank you so much for the communication devices for my non-verbal students. I wish you could hear them use the devices to ask for what they want. Previously, I guessed as to what they wanted or used symbols that tended to go missing when I needed them. Now, they have the devices with their choices on them, that they use to let me know what they want.
My students use their new devices to answer Yes/No questions. It is so heartwarming to ask one of them a question and to hear a voice answering, even if it comes from the device!
I have taken them out in the community to shop for snacks that they like and they used their devices to tell me what to buy! Everyone in the store was very impressed!
Through your generosity, you have enabled them to have a voice so that I may show them how to use it. We are forever grateful.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Paccione
Guess Who?
Funded Mar 14, 2012Thank you so much for the "Guess Who?" games and colored pencils. My autistic students are using the games to learn about different facial characteristics. Before the games they did not know what "blond", brunette", "mustache" or "beard" meant. They also had difficulty differentiating skin color. My students were unable to describe themselves or others. I made up class lessons incorporating the games, where they had to guess which picture I held. For students who could read, I made sentence scripts for them to choose which question they would ask me and for non-readers, I had pictures of the different hair colors, eyes and skin and other facial features. They really enjoyed learning the different features and after several lessons, they were taught to play with each other. They then used the skills to play "Guess Who?" with each other. I had to monitor them for asking questions clearly and for waiting for their partner's response. This took some time but eventually they got used to interacting with their peers.
The colored pencils were used to draw pictures of themselves and each other. This was also a fun activity and they learned to describe each other and themselves.
This year I did not get my stipend for teacher materials so your donation made a great addition to my students' functional academics. I cannot thank you enough for giving me the materials I needed to make learning FUNctional.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Paccione