Past projects 6
Hands All In!
Funded Jul 14, 2022Thank you so much for your generous donations and interest in my class.
My students were thrilled to see the sensory table set up in the classroom. I loved that my students are engaging in learning activities while accommodating their sensory needs. They enjoy playing with kinetic sand during free-time and for further learning and exploration, I added alphabet stamps. The students began to stamp their names and short words in the sand.
The four individual containers make it easy to change materials to promote further play and discovery. For example, when studying measurement and capacity, I will add rice to the bins with different sized measuring cups. In the spring, the students can investigate different types of seeds and parts of plants.
The Number Rockets were also a bit hit! Some students matched the numbers but a few sorted and collected pieces by color and others compared length and height by adding pieces together. I love that this toy high-lights my students' unique thinking processes.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cleveland
This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron and 11 other donors.Write On!
Funded Dec 1, 2020This year has transformed the way we use materials and facilitate learning. I found that many subjects could be taught online during distance learning, but my students needed essential practice in handwriting and pencil grasp. With your generous donations, I was able to create individual support packages to send to my students during the Covid-19 pandemic. Each family received modified pencils, materials for pre-writing skill practice, and a grade-level workbook of extra activities.
The families were happy to have these resources to support their child's learning at home. One child was successful at writing his name with constant support from his mother and the added practice of these materials.
As we transition to in-classroom learning, I have the benefit of using these materials with the students in class. One student especially is learning to transition to a tripod grasp.
The Twist and Write pencils help support her hand and finger placement. Using this grasp helps her write more efficiently with greater comfort increasing her writing production during classroom activities.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cleveland
This classroom project was brought to life by FamilyAlbum and 5 other donors.iPads for Success!
Funded Sep 21, 2019My students and I deeply appreciate your generous donations. They were so excited to use the iPads again and remembered their favorite apps.
One app they especially love is, Teach Your Monster to Read. It is self-paced, so the program addresses students on their personal reading level and allows them to accelerate at their own rate. It begins at letter and sound recognition and continues to practice reading full sentences. The children are engaged because the app features colorful and fun monsters who earn in-game prizes for completing activities. Meanwhile, I can track their challenges and successes through easily downloadable data charts. I can use this information to assist me in planning lessons that are most relevant to my students' needs.
They also enjoy an app called, Quick Math Jr. This app is like Teach Your Monster to Read, but it covers essential math skills such as, counting, ordering numbers, adding and subtracting. It allows the students to engage with number concepts in a variety of games. For example, in one game, the player matches different forms of a number including the numeral, a dot pattern and written word. Another requires the player balance numbers on a boat, developing key skills in place value and unknown quantities. It also automatically adjusts to the player's unique skill level.
My youngest students love the Sesame Street apps, Elmo Loves ABC's and Elmo Loves 123's. Elmo is a familiar character that attracts their attention. It is multifaceted and allows students to select a letter or number, learn to trace it, hear the sound and watch short videos. They can also color pictures related to the letter or number.
Thank you again for your generous donations. You have helped make a lasting impact on my students and our classroom.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cleveland
21st Century Learners
Funded Sep 25, 2018I admire your generosity and attention to my students through my Donor's Choose project. The pads arrived, and we were able to unbox them, set them up and use them in the same day.
One app, my students especially like is Endless Alphabet. This game scrambles the letters in vocabulary words and the students put the letters back in order. When touched, each letter says it's beginning sound. The children love the noise and the cute animations. However, they are also developing phonemic awareness which is a crucial skill in the process of learning to read.
My students also use the pads to access a math program called ST Math. The program is completely visual without the use of words and language. It teaches math skills through visually engaging puzzles. ST Math. This allows my students to learn and progress in mathematics without obstacles in communication and language processing disorders. The program is completely individual and allows the students to advance at their own pace.
The pads assist some of my students with communication needs. They can express ideas and wants and have displayed a depth of knowledge and understanding that had been previously hidden. We use the communication app, Tom Taps. The app displays a selection of colorful picture cards of basic foods feelings, and expression. I have also added pictures related to our school, classroom and students. The child can select one of multiple cards to express their thoughts. The additional keyboard features allow them to expand their communication with words that are not in the app library. Using this app as accommodation I discovered that a non-verbal student understands letters, sound and spelling patterns.
Thank you again for your interest and involvement in my students' learning. This project has made a tremendous impact on our classroom.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cleveland
Regulation Inside And Out
Funded Nov 24, 2017I want to extend my extreme gratitude to each of you for supporting my students and myself. It was beautiful how this project connected people across the country to our school neighborhood. Your generosity is remarkable. This project and these materials will impact my current students as well as my future students and instruction.
Every time a new package arrived, my students were excited and eager to open the box and try the materials. The Gaiam Peanut Stability ball was one of the first products that arrived. When I inflated it, the children immediately wanted to jump on it. However, it soon became part of our daily learning environment. One student would sit on the ball during work time to engage his nervous system and allow his mind to focus on the academic task. Another student used the ball to relax against while reading a book. The best advantage is that the ball accommodates two children, so the students can play and interact together.
The swirling color mats are another favorite item from this project. My students find it very soothing and relaxing to trace and mix the colors on the mats when they are upset or stressed. It is also helpful to use the therapy brushes or vibrating mitt during these times. Sometimes I will use the brush and stroke a child's arm and other times a student will use the brush on themselves. I have observed that this lowers behavioral episodes because the children are more in tune with their sensory needs and have materials to self-regulate.
The students also love to sit in the inflatable pods while reading or during other independent work times. They help apply constant pressure around the children's bodies to so that they receive constant, calming sensory input. These pods also have handles on the sides, so I can rock the pod if a child needs more pressure or movement.
The carpet is a nice addition to our classroom. It provides a designated space for group time and a comfortable place to learn during independent work time. The tree pattern allows each child to sit on their own individual leaf. This helps the children learn about personal space and helps them stay on task for learning.
I use the Songames CD teach my students routines and methods for self-care. For example, in the morning we sing songs to warm up and engage in learning skills. After recess, we use songs to calm down and stay focused. There is even a song to sing when learning to have patience while standing in a line. Sometimes we use the songs, to assist in sensory processing. For example, The Deep Pressure Chant, helps the children learn to recognize when they are overloaded and resolve these feelings by applying rhythmic pressure through repeated gestures.
In the next few months, I hope to continue to implement these products and routines. This way my students will learn skills to help them succeed in future years, and I will also learn techniques for additional students who come to my classroom.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cleveland
Touch Screen Computer
Funded Oct 15, 2014I would like to thank each of you for your generous donations. My students were so excited to use all the resources your donations funded. Unfortunately, the computer listed in the original project was out of stock. However, this was a blessing in disguise. With this donation I was able to purchase many new products for our classroom.
Our primary asset is a new HP Slate Android tablet. The tablet is large enough for multiple students to use at one time. This reinforces their social learning as well as academic skills. On the tablet, my students especially like to play Endless ABC and Endless Reader. This app is especially helpful when targeting phonemic awareness, a precursor to reading. A couple of my students are particularly interested in the alphabet song on the Starfall app. The monotone voice of a computer can be specifically soothing and relatable for a child with Autism.
I was also able to purchase an external CD-ROM drive for my laptop. It enables me to install games that we can play on our interactive blackboard. Letter of the Day is one game that expands my student's learning. They are able to hear alphabet chants, practice writing upper and lower case letters and distinguish beginning letter sounds.
Besides the new technology, I was also able to purchase new learning materials for my students. I especially like to use an oversized 120 chart . According to Common Core State Standards in mathematics, students must be able to manipulate one and two digit numbers. With this chart I provide my students a hands-on manlipulative to enhance their learning. We use the chart to play games like Race to 120 that practice counting and skip counting.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cleveland