My students need an iPad Mini to help them learn the social and problem-solving skills they need to be successful in the classroom and in their lives after school.
At my school, almost 70% of the kids live in poverty. I work with some who have faced extremely difficult situations and others who just need a boost to get through the day. Yet in spite of it all, they are some of the most resilient and enthusiastic kids I have ever met, and they deserve the best.
As the school social worker, many of my kids have a difficult time participating in conventional school activities such as paying attention, following verbal directions, and performing pencil and paper tasks.
Since they have a hard time learning the way many other students do, activities have to be very interactive and meet their sensory needs in order for them to really learn. Using games and visual activities, students with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, emotional and behavior disorders, or other challenges can learn how to regulate their emotions, solve problems, and develop appropriate relationships with others.
My Project
Many of the students I work with have Autism or other social deficits. Many of the things you and I take for granted, such as understanding social cues, dealing with stress, or having friendships, are extremely difficult for my students. And on top of that, most of my students do not learn information through their ears; they have to use pictures or other visual cues instead. By using an iPad, I can teach social skills lessons in the ways my students learn. There are so many amazing social skills and communication apps that have been developed, but I can't use any of with them without an iPad. Everything from communicating effectively, to identifying emotions, to learning how to cope with stress and frustration can be taught with only one device. And now that Apple has developed the iPad Mini, my kids can have all of that for a much lower price. This is where we need your help.
Within my classroom, I strive to create an environment that demonstrates to all my students that their differences and challenges are accepted.
I love watching their faces light up when they realize that they are able to succeed in the classroom. These students are our future and I am committed to helping them learn the skills they will need to succeed and realize their own potential to change the world around them.
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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. Deal and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.