I have unique, talented students with many different abilities! My students are teenagers with curious minds open to learning, relentlessly questioning and always attempting to build their personal identities. My students also have special needs, primarily autism. Our South Bronx school is part of District 75 in New York City's Department of Education. “District 75 provides citywide educational, vocational, and behavior support programs for students who are on the autism spectrum, have significant cognitive delays, are severely emotionally challenged, sensory impaired and/or multiply disabled.” We're the largest special needs school in NYC, almost all of our 700+ students receive free breakfast and lunch, and many have challenges at home that make it hard to prioritize education. Despite huge hurdles to overcome, my students come to school ready to learn every, single day.
For my students with autism to live as independently as possible and pursue their dreams in the work force, they need to know how to communicate with others and apply appropriate social skills for various situations.
Using an in-class production studio provides our class, and our school community, a visual platform to learn, practice and self-reflect on appropriate social skills. We'd be grateful for your support!
My Project
My students have many talents, specifically how each of their unique perspectives on the world. Often times, my students can remain in their isolated worlds without venturing outside of their comfort zones. For students with disabilities, it is morally and ethically our responsibility to push each student to meet his or her fullest potential to succeed in the real world. One of the largest skill deficits in students with autism is social skills -they need to be taught social cues and norms. My students need explicit teaching of social skills, teacher and peer modeling, the chance to role-play and practice skills and, finally, self-reflect/receive feedback to progress forward. Despite being able to compute complex mathematical equations or write in descriptive ways that would make Shakespeare jealous, a lack of social skills can prevent students from realizing post-secondary goals after leaving school.
Integrating an in-class production studio to teach social skills demands active student engagement, team-work and peer/self-reflection.
All of these activities mimic functional living skills when working, continuing education and independent living in the real world. Moreover, the production studio offer specific roles and a structure that can be used across content areas. In ELA, the parts of the writing process, and publishing a piece, perfectly aligns with creating a finished video production. However, writing and academic activities can be daunting for students. The medium of video is something students are extremely familiar, and in most cases, more comfortable with as an interface. By using their knowledge and preference to video, students are at ease to start the learning process and jump in.
My students have the potential to be participating and active members of our global community. The video production studio provides an effective, engaging and reflective way to achieve social skills training.
Apple iPad Mini 2 with WiFi 32GB Silver - ME280LL/A
• Amazon Business
$255.95
1
$255.95
LimoStudio Photo Video Studio Light Kit - Includes Chromakey Studio Background Screen (Green Black White), (3) Muslin BackDrops, Umbrella, Softbox, Lighting Diffuser Reflector, AGG1388
• Amazon Business
$145.00
1
$145.00
ChargerCity XL-52 inch Smartphone & Tablet Holder Selfie Photo Booth Camera Tripod Kit w/360° Rotation for Apple iPad Pro Air Mini iPhone 7 Plus 6s MicroSoft Surface Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Edge LG V20
• Amazon Business
$44.95
1
$44.95
Neewer Acrylic Plastic 10x12"/25x30cm Dry Erase Director's Film Clapboard Cut Action Scene Clapper Board Slate with White/Black Sticks
• Amazon Business
$15.50
1
$15.50
Materials cost
$461.40
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$6.92
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$498.32
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$87.94
Total project goal
$586.26
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$586.26
1 Donor
-$293.13
Donations toward project cost
-$249.16
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$43.97
match offer
-$293.13
Match offer toward project cost
-$249.16
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Carrozza and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
