Past projects 108
Basic Skills Fun in Our Special Ed Classroom!
Funded Feb 6, 2015I want to personally thank you from the bottom of my over-tired inner city special education teacher heart for your generous donation! These materials have been already so loved in my classroom. I kid you not, we use them ALL daily! Our opposites board has been used in our speech and language center to help my students build vocabulary and understand this new concept. Our sorting centers are perfect for all of my students to do independently. It is not easy to find tasks that are so perfectly tailored to the needs of my students! Thank you again for your kind gesture.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Szczecinski
Cooking Up Independence in Our Special Education Class!
Funded Dec 11, 2014Thank you SO much for your thoughtful donation to our classroom. We received our mini fridge and microwave today. My students were fascinated by the boxes and so curious and excited to see what was inside something so big. We are so excited about the ways that we can use these materials. Cooking is such an important life skill that so many people take for granted. Many of us learn cooking through watching parents and friends, while my students struggle to learn through observation. Cooking in our classroom is going to be such a great way to learn life skills, measuring, and how to use basic appliances. Thank you so much for your continued generosity. Your kindness is so appreciated.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Szczecinski
It's TIME to Learn! Timers for our Special Education Class!
Funded Dec 11, 2014Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom. The provided timers are so helpful for my students. Many of them have a really hard time starting and finishing their work in a timely manner. We have been using the time-timers to have students visually see how much time they have to get their work done. This has helped students understand the concept of time better. There are so many classrooms across the US that have low funding. Without you, so many of them would go without needed and helpful materials. Thank you for standing in the gap for us!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Szczecinski
Empowering Families of Children with Special Needs!
Funded Dec 11, 2014This project has been so special. Thank you so much for seeing the benefit in it and being willing to donate funds to support it. The books that we received have been distributed to families as needed. I have already heard from families that they have never had a school offer them support in this way before. It made me very happy to hear that I was able to do this for them, but was sure they knew that the books were purchased by funds from outside donors who believe in them. My students have very loving families with limited resources. Thank you SO much for standing in the gap for them.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Szczecinski
This classroom project was brought to life by Kia and 2 other donors.Making Sense of Our World: Sensory Tools for Special Ed
Funded Dec 23, 2014Thank you so, so much for your generosity. Though our materials have JUST arrived, I can already see the difference that they have made and the difference they will continue to make in my classroom. Two of my students struggle to understand personal space and keeping their bodies to themselves. The two block chairs are PERFECT for them during our group circle time activities. They help them to stay seated and keep their bodies calm. The weighted vests also benefit these students greatly. The best part is, they are denim so they do not look "awkward", so the students can wear them around the school without any looks or questions. Your generosity has made all the difference. We are so thankful!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Szczecinski
Technology Equality in Our Special Education Classroom!
Funded Aug 25, 2014When we received our touch screen computer monitor, my students were so excited. They thought it was everything from a television to a giant iPad. It was so fun to unveil this resource because it is so, so needed in our classroom.
We are using our touch screen computer monitor for my students (over half of my class) who do not currently have the visual motor skills to use a computer mouse. Though our classroom iPads are really helpful, there are some websites and programs that do not work on our iPads. Previously, my students without mouse skills could not access these programs and websites. Now, they are able to have access to these programs just like the rest of our school!
Thank you for opening doors for my deserving students. It truly means the world!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Szczecinski
This classroom project was brought to life by Gates Foundation Back To School and 2 other donors.iNeed an iPad - Technology for Our Special Education Class!
Funded Aug 7, 2014When we received our iPad mini, my students were so excited. It was so fun to unveil this resource because it is so, so needed in our classroom.
We are using our new iPad for my students (over half of my class) who do not currently have the visual motor skills to use a computer mouse. Previously, my students without mouse skills could not access any type of technology or websites like their peers. Now, they are able to have access to these programs just like the rest of our school!
The iPad is used as a learning tool by having my students access applications to help with word and letter recognition, counting, and writing skills. It is also used DAILY (more like hourly) as a reward for completing work. My students LOVE to work for iPad time.
Thank you for opening doors for my deserving students. It truly means the world!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Szczecinski
Handwriting WITHOUT Tears in our Special Ed Classroom!
Funded Aug 7, 2014When we received our Handwriting Without Tears materials, my students were so excited. It was so fun to unveil this resource because it is so, so needed in our classroom.
We are using our handwriting materials everyday in a handwriting center run by one of my classroom assistants. She loves being able to assist each child in such a needed skill. It's fun to see her take ownership of this writing center!
My students love this center because it's not JUST handwriting, but very engaging activities. They use wooden blocks to build each letter and fun worksheets and songs that go along with each letter. We have seen a huge improvement in handwriting skills AND letter recognition just from this program!
Thank you for opening doors for my deserving students. It truly means the world!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Szczecinski
Learning Games for our Special Education Superstars!
Funded Aug 23, 2014Thank you, thank you, THANK you for your generous donation for us to receive learning games in our classroom! The "Listening Lotto" games have been so much fun during our Friday game time. Today, we played "Listen for the Farm Sounds". Our CD played different animal noises and the students had to place a bingo marker on the animal that makes that sound. They were laughing so hard and having so much fun, I really don't think they realized they were learning! My students need unique, hands on experiences to grasp concepts that most of us pick up naturally. Thank you for making learning FUN for my kiddos!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Szczecinski
This classroom project was brought to life by Gates Foundation Back To School and 5 other donors.ABC: Alphabet Fun In Our Special Ed Classroom!
Funded May 13, 2014I want to personally thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity towards our classroom. Our literacy centers are now PERFECT thanks to the supplies you helped to fund. The alphabet instant learning center has been ideal for our learners who are beginning to identify their letters. It's so great that the learning center has upper AND lowercase letters, as well as color matching mats. The file folder games are also really fun, and helpful for my students learning sight words! They get such a kick out of the "game show" file folder game. Thank you for making literacy come to life for my unique students in so many new and exciting ways.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Szczecinski