My students need light table learning materials, touch & match guessing game, literacy learning centers and following directions building sets for multisensory learning.
There is no real "typical" in my teaching day, simply structured attempts. Autism tends to come with a set of negative connotations but I constantly get to see how amazing each child is and that they aren't the sum of their deficits rather fully deserving and lovable children.
Autism is a simple sounding label that somehow hides all the complexities, human beauty, tenacity, and humor that my students portray.
Every day I experience the tremendous effort my students make to learn and become more independent. That moment when I see a child finally "get it" is so exciting as a teacher. I can see the pride and joy on their faces when they know they have finally accomplished something they've been working steadily towards. My students' learning differences require them to invest much more in their efforts to learn than would a typically developing peer. Whenever I reflect on my day, I know my kids are the coolest kids in the world.
My Project
In order to move past the learning challenges my students face, I need materials that support more than the simple auditory and visual tools you would find in a regular education setting. These materials will stimulate learning through tactile and more engaging visual means using lights, bright colors, and manipulative pieces. One characteristic of some of my students is the need for sensory stimulation. These materials allow them to meet those sensory needs in an appropriate fashion. For example, the shatterproof light table materials allow for oral stimulation if needed and rough handling. These materials will allow for a more enriching and stimulating structured literacy instruction and classroom experience.
This project will improve my classroom through providing engaging literacy related materials for my students to use.
These materials provide different tools for accessing different senses to stimulate learning auditorily, visually and kinesthetically. My students are each so unique and come with very different levels of learning. These materials will give me a broad portfolio to allow me to choose the appropriate tool to help each child learn best according to his or her unique needs.
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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. Campbell and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
