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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Wiecks from N. Hollywood, CA is requesting technology through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Wiecks is requesting

Nonverbal Special Needs Preschoolers Want to Communicate

My students need iPad minis to develop language which will impact all domains since I have special needs preschoolers, some of whom are nonverbal. iGuy cases will protect the iPads.

  • $874 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Ms. Wiecks for her next project!

Help Ms. Wiecks

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Ms. Wiecks for her next project!

My Students

My students biggest challenges include developing communication skills, whether verbal or nonverbal, and dealing with negative behavior which is frequently a result of not being able to effectively communicate with their peers or teachers to get their needs/wants met.

My school is like a family, which is why I have been there for 17 years.

Though it is in a high poverty area of Los Angeles, the majority of families participate and contribute to the success of their children as much as possible. My special needs preschoolers are eager to come to school and learn. My classroom is able to provide them with opportunities to learn that many of their families cannot. Due to autism and intellectual disability, I have a number of students who are nonverbal. We use sign language and pictures to communicate. Research shows that iPads have been effective in developing communication, which reduces frustration and anger when trying to convey a message. By enabling the students to more fully communicate, they will be able to progress across all developmental domains. This will provide them with the opportunity to eventually exit special education, manage their disability better, or hopefully function at a higher level.

My Project

The reason I choose iPads and iGuy cases instead of a less expensive tablet is that Apple products have significantly more apps (many free) to be used in an educational setting. Usage will depend on the student's needs. All will have an opportunity to use an iPad during our rotation block which includes math and literacy. Those with greater needs will have frequent use throughout the day to "tell" us what they want or need by tapping on relevant pictures. Expressive language will be developed through interacting with the iPad when repeating back words. Receptive language can be improved by having the students play games by following directions. I have a number of apps recommended by speech therapists that are used during speech therapy sessions. I truly believe that the opportunities are endless as there are so many great apps available and more coming out all the time.

These iPads will lessen the frustration level with nonverbal students when trying to communicate.

This in turn will improve behavior as it will create a more positive classroom environment with needs/wants being met in a timely fashion. I believe that having this technology will improve every student's developmental domains, no matter if they are verbal or nonverbal. Less anxiety and frustration equals less anger resulting in more happiness, confidence, self-control and improved self-esteem.

Ms. Wiecks Coldwater Canyon Elementary School Grades PreK-2

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Ms. Wiecks

N. Hollywood, CA View local requests

Nearly all 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

12 students impacted 13donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Wiecks is requesting.

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Apple® - iPad® mini with Wi-Fi - 16GB - Space Gray/Black • Best Buy for Business $299.99 2 $599.98
Speck Products iGuy Protective Case for iPad mini - Grape Purple (SPK-A1519) • Amazon $21.99 2 $43.98

Materials cost

$643.96

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $58.92

3rd party payment processing fee

$9.66

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$742.54

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$131.04

Total project goal

$873.58

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $873.58

10 Donors

-$525.05

Donations toward project cost

-$449.29

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$75.76

match offer

-$345.00

Match offer toward project cost

-$293.25

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$51.75

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$3.53

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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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 Ms. Wiecks and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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