Past projects 2
Teaching Our Children Through Technology
Funded Apr 22, 2013My class would like to thank you for your generous donations towards our Donors Choose Project. My students may not understand your gesture, but the photographs should give you an idea of how much they like the iPad and iPod Shuffle. So, thanks!
We use the iPad throughout the day. We use it during lessons by using apps that work on the skills we are learning (e.g. patterning, identifying vocabulary, tracing letters, etc.), watching educational videos, and using it to assess skills during evaluations. The students find it very difficult to attend to lessons in a group setting. Using the iPad has improved this aspect of their education. They sit and watch their classmates use the iPad to complete a task while waiting for their turn. They are able to complete activities with independence and some assistance during a challenging activity. We also use the iPad to take photos and videos of special occasions like when we introduce them to goop (cornstarch and water) or when we use a parachute. Lastly, yet most importantly, we use the iPad to communicate. There are tons of apps that act turn the iPad into communication devices. My students do not speak and signing is difficult for them. They are very motivated to use the iPad to indicate their wants and needs.
The iPod Shuffle is a great reward for them. They use a token board to "earn" enough tokens to get choice time. One of the options is listening to music on the iPod Shuffle. This is a functional and appropriate activity that they enjoy. It calms them down if they are upset and gives them a break from the sometimes noisy ambiance of the classroom. We also use it for listening to books on tape which they can follow along.
Your donations have enriched the learning experience of my students. This technology is amazing in its ability to engage my students. They have a lot of cognitive and sensory deficits that interfere with their ability to attend to or participate in lessons and activities. The iPad and iPod Shuffle are things that pique their interest. I am able to use something that enjoy to "trick" them into learning and growing. I am excited about what this means for their progress in becoming as independent as possible.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Volpe
This classroom project was brought to life by Bain Capital and 2 other donors.Teaching Materials for a Special Needs Classroom
Funded Sep 19, 2012I would like to thank you for your generous donation to my class. The easel has given me an opportunity to make lessons and read aloud activities more interactive. The students love coming up to the easel to trace or write using the dry erase markers. They love matching, identifying, and making patterns using magnetic object on the easel as well. My students are visual learners that need interactive, hands-on activities to excel. My students have communication and language difficulties. As a teacher, I need to be creative in how I plan lessons that will impact my students. The easel is a great tool to have in my classroom for this.
The other material that you had donated money for are the sensory bins. My students LOVE these! We fill them with rice or beans for sensory activities. The students love to interact with the beans by digging, pouring, or dropping. We use the sensory bins to have a "treasure" hunt where the students find objects or pictures buried in the beans. Then they use an Alternative or Augmentative Communication device to tell us what they found. This a great motivator for them.
Your generous donations have enriched my classroom. You have positively impacted my students' academic and social success. The project you have donated to will help my students learn this year and for years to come. For this, I thank you.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Volpe
This classroom project was brought to life by Kia Motors America and 3 other donors.