Ms. Zelman's Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 31

• Count Down to the End

  Funded Mar 16, 2025

  Thank you so much for this amazing surprise!! I am so excited to provide the small pencils to my students little hands!! I am also happy to be able to have enough copy paper to make it to the end of the school year without asking the parents in my class to supply it!! With your help we will have a great end of the year!!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Zelman

• Exploring Kindergarten with Autism

  Funded Oct 31, 2024

  My project has a profound impact on my students' learning and development. By addressing their unique needs, I create an inclusive and supportive environment where they can thrive. For my non-verbal students and those with limited communication skills, using diverse learning modalities helps them express themselves more effectively, leading to improved social interactions and a greater sense of inclusion. Tailoring activities to meet state standards while accommodating individual learning needs ensures that each student can progress at their own pace. Wipe-and-write books are particularly beneficial as they allow for repeated practice and adjustments based on each child's level.

  Providing chewies helps keep students safe by minimizing the loss of materials due to mouthing behaviors, ensuring they remain engaged with the learning materials without the risk of choking or other hazards. Using green stickers for behavior charts promotes positive behavior and helps students understand the consequences of their actions, leading to better classroom management and a more harmonious learning environment. Replacing the non-functioning magnetic whiteboard with a new one ensures that I have the necessary tools to deliver effective lessons, and laminating sheets protect students' work, making it durable and allowing them to take pride in their accomplishments. Overall, my project fosters a nurturing and adaptive learning environment that caters to the diverse needs of my students, helping them achieve their full potential.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Zelman

• Starting Off Right!

  Funded Jul 30, 2024

  I am so grateful for your generous support of our classroom project. This year, I have a wonderful group of kindergartners, all of whom are on the Autism spectrum and range in age from five to six. Many of my students are non-verbal, and all have limited communication skills, so they require a variety of learning modalities and activities to help them understand their environment.

  The standard-level books don't always work for my students, so I often need to create customized lessons that are better suited to their needs. Thanks to your funding, I will have the essential supplies—copy paper for tailored lessons, lamination pouches and tape to set up our room, golf pencils for their little hands, and behavior stickers for daily reports to parents. These items will help me create an organized, supportive, and engaging learning environment for my students.

  Your generosity is helping us start the year off right, and I cannot thank you enough for your contribution!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Zelman

• Easel Teaching

  Funded Sep 26, 2023

  I want to express my sincere gratitude for your generous funding of our classroom project. This year, I am teaching a group of first graders, some of whom are on the Autism spectrum, and they are all ages six and seven. Many of my students are non-verbal, and some have limited communication skills, so they require various learning modalities to help them understand their environment.

  Your contribution will provide us with a much-needed whiteboard easel, which will allow me to teach in a more flexible and accessible way for my students. Sometimes, writing on a traditional whiteboard is the best method to ensure they comprehend a lesson, but up until now, we only had a Promethean board. Additionally, the washable cloths you are providing will help us keep our materials clean and ready for daily use.

  Thank you so much for helping us enhance our learning environment. Your generosity will make a big difference in how we engage with our lessons.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Zelman

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 2 other donors.

• Starting off Comfortable

  Funded Aug 16, 2023

  I am incredibly grateful for your generous support of our classroom project. This year, I am teaching a wonderful group of first graders, all of whom are on the Autism spectrum and range in age from six to seven. Most of my students are non-verbal and have limited communication skills, requiring a variety of learning modalities and activities to better understand their environment.

  Many families of children with Autism are faced with the expense of multiple therapies, which they often pay for out of pocket. By helping us with everyday classroom supplies, you are not only supporting my students but also easing the financial burden on their families. This year, many of my students are learning to read independently, and thanks to your contribution, we will be able to create a comfortable and inviting space for them to enjoy reading and continue building their communication skills.

  Your generosity will have a lasting impact on both my students and their families, and I cannot thank you enough for your support.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Zelman

  This classroom project was brought to life by The SONIC Foundation and 5 other donors.

• I'm Done, What's Next

  Funded Aug 11, 2024

  I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous support of our classroom project. This year, I am teaching a group of kindergartners, all of whom are on the Autism spectrum and are ages five and six. Many of my students are non-verbal, and all have limited communication skills, which means they require various learning modalities and activities to help them better understand their environment.

  Thanks to your funding, we will be able to provide each child with their own drawer in a 10-drawer cart. This will help my students know exactly what they can do when they finish their work, giving them a sense of independence and structure. The extra worksheets and activities in the drawers, along with the mesh bags to keep supplies organized, will help keep them engaged. Additionally, the LCD boards will provide another fun and interactive activity to help them stay focused.

  Your generosity will make a big difference in keeping my students engaged and supported throughout the day. I am incredibly grateful for your contribution.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Zelman

• LEGO Builders

  Funded Aug 16, 2024

  I am incredibly grateful for your generous support of our classroom project. This year, I am teaching a group of kindergartners, all of whom are on the Autism spectrum and are five to six years old. Many of my students are non-verbal and have limited communication skills, so they need a variety of learning modalities and hands-on activities to engage with their environment.

  With your funding, we will be able to provide LEGO Duplo starter sets and building bases, which will be invaluable for our STEM activities. These resources will help my students learn how to design and build while developing their fine motor skills. For children with Autism, building through play is a powerful and fun way to learn and remember concepts. Introducing these skills in Kindergarten will set a strong foundation for their future success in school.

  Thank you so much for making this opportunity possible for my students. Your generosity will have a lasting impact on their learning and growth!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Zelman

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and 3 other donors.

• Fine Motor Stars

  Funded May 20, 2023

  I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your generous funding of our classroom project. This year, I am teaching a wonderful group of kindergartners, all of whom are on the Autism spectrum and range in age from five to six. Most of my students are non-verbal and have limited communication skills, which means they require a variety of learning modalities and hands-on activities to better understand their environment.

  With your support, we will be able to acquire a Fill It Up Fine Motor Jars kit, a Positional Words Resource Box, and a Tweezer Tongs Color Sorting Kit, all of which are essential tools to help improve their fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are often a challenge for children with Autism, but teaching them through engaging, playful activities makes a huge difference in their learning and retention.

  By developing these skills in Kindergarten, we are giving them the foundation they need for greater success throughout their educational journey. Thank you again for making this possible for my students!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Zelman

  This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and 2 other donors.

• Learning to Play

  Funded Jul 21, 2024

  I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous funding of our project for my Kindergarten students, all of whom are on the Autism spectrum. These young learners are at a critical stage in developing essential social and play skills, having just begun learning to play in their pre-kindergarten years.

  Play is such an important part of their growth, particularly when it comes to interacting with peers, and your contribution will help provide a structured environment where they can build social leisure skills. By setting up a dedicated dramatic play area with kitchen toys, food, and a table, my students will have the opportunity to learn how to initiate and engage in play in a meaningful way.

  Your support means the world to us and will make a lasting impact on these children's ability to connect with others.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Zelman