Past projects 6
Dream Library for Struggling Readers
Funded Nov 29, 2022The impact your donations made toward growing our classroom library has made a HUGE difference in how much my students look forward to browsing, choosing new books, and reading new genres! I waited until all the boxes and packages had arrived, and as each new box came, they got more and more excited to see our old, smaller library become transformed. They were especially excited about the new rug and bench, allowing them more space to spread out! I was excited too, as the increase in space helps curb behaviors, as before we only had one bench for four students to sit on at a time.
I waited until the children were away on winter break to put everything together - so when they came back, it was like Christmas morning all over again! I added some pillows and a fabric wall to tie the space together. When they came in, gasps of joy filled the room! We couldn't wait until "library time" in the afternoon, so we had a special library time that morning. The loved (and will continue to love) the new books and special space you helped give to them. Thank you again so much!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Holt
Engaging Math Activities for Students with Special Needs
Funded Feb 10, 2022First let me apologize for this very late thank you! I thought I had sent this last school year but something must have happened to my entry.
My students LOVED the math games - especially the "Allowance" game that taught them money counting skills. It was a favorite! Fun games like these are always a hit with my older students who struggle with the typical math worksheets and/or hands-on activities. These games hit the spot!
I look forward to using these games in my math stations again this year!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Holt
Hands-On Learning for Students with Special Needs
Funded Sep 27, 2021When my students saw all of those brand new math and reading games arrive, it was like Christmas morning! They were SO EXCITED to play and get started! Their favorites are the Language Dice Roll game and Dollars and Cents. The games have added so much fun to our small group table time. Not only that but the kiddos don't even realize they're learning and practicing new skills!
Thank you again SO much for your donation toward hands-on-learning for my students with special needs. We wouldn't have these unique and fun learning opportunities without the help you provided us.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Holt
STEM in Special Education: Higher-Level Thinking Made Fun!
Funded Aug 9, 2021Just wanted to thank you all again for helping finance my STEM project! Not only have the students learned new skills, but I have learned so much about teaching STEM since receiving the bins you got for us. Thought I would reach out and let you know how it's going.
When that box arrived - - oh my gosh it was like CHRISTMAS MORNING! The children were so excited to see all of the different building materials and boxes, they could hardly sit still. We had fun unboxing everything and putting the bins together as a group.
After reviewing some ground rules, we began doing STEM Bins during our math rotation schedule. The children have their favorite bins that they reach for again and again. This creativity has expanded into science projects and math group work. I love it! Thank you so much for helping us out!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Holt
This classroom project was brought to life by Horace Mann Educators Foundation and one other donor.New Headphones for Special Needs Classroom
Funded Dec 6, 2014It's been a couple of weeks since we received our new headphones and the children are LOVING them! I attached a picture of the old headphones vs the new ones so you could see what the children have been using for the past few years.
The headphones that you have supplied us with are very sturdy, have much better sound quality, and are surprisingly more easy for the children to handle. It was a common occurrence to see the children struggling with the overly long cords that would easily get tangled up on the older ones. Also, the old headphones were very flimsy and were stretched out so badly that they needed to be replaced often.
I have faith that your wonderful gift will be used for a very long time. IPads are such an awesome learning tool - and now that we have the proper headgear to accompany them, the children are benefiting from their full potential. Thank you again so very much.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Holt
This classroom project was brought to life by Kia and 3 other donors.Hands-On Learning for Students with Special Needs
Funded Jan 1, 2014The children and I were THRILLED when our new centers arrived in the mail! We all had fun opening the boxes and looking at the shiny new centers. My students passed them around and commented on the "new games" they would soon get to play. There were lots of "oooohs" and "ahhhhs" - it was an exciting day!
That day, I began pulling the children to my table to show them how to use the centers. We practiced and practiced. There were 16 new centers so I chose two per week and we would practice at my table as a group first, and then I would introduce them at center time and allow for independent play. So far, ten new centers have been introduced and we still have more for the rest of the year.
These new, shiny, hands-on centers keep the children interested during center time. I've even been able to modify some of them and make them even more applicable to my student's needs. They are everything I'd hoped they would be - colorful, sturdy, interesting, and educational.
Since I began introducing these new activities into our center time, I have definitely noticed an increase in work ethic during Centers. Because my children are excited about doing these new, hands-on activities, I can pull small groups to my table for reading and math groups with minimal interruptions from behaviors on the floor. My small group work has become a lot more efficient due to a decrease in behaviors and I owe it all to you! I'm still so thrilled and humbled to have received these incredible gifts. We will be using these centers for many years to come.
Thank you again so much for helping us!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Holt