This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
In my class, I have 8 amazing, 4th and 5th grade students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism is a developmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and interact. 3 out of 8 of my students are non-verbal and use alternate modes of communication and the other 5 have limited communication skills. But don't let the label of autism fool you, they are all very smart, creative, and inquisitive. My students learn differently than neurotypical children, and they require a different learning environment, which is why they attend our center school for children with autism.
"There needs to be a lot more emphasis on what a child can do instead of what he cannot do." Dr. Temple Grandin
My students love to explore and I enjoy watching not only them learn, but other people around them learn about autism. I enjoy educating everyone around me about autism and how amazing, smart, and unique my students are. The goals in my classroom include learning academics as well as social skills in the classroom and out in public. We recently started a pre-vocation Positive Postal Service. It is amazing to see my students use their skills and work.
My Project
All of my students have autism, which means they learn in a unique way. The sensory sensitivities that accompany autism can prevent them from being able to focus. The rug provides a comfortable, flexible seating arrangement that will allow them to relax and learn as opposed to the hard chairs they have now. The light covers are very important, because the lights in my classroom are fluorescent and the brightness and sound of the lights are a big distraction for my students. By being able to cover the lights, my students can focus their attention on me instead of being distracted by the lights or the lights hurting their eyes. I think it is very important to make my student's as comfortable as possible, so they are able to learn.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Howard and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
