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Mrs. Havens from Hoopeston IL is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

Advancing Communication Skills Through Play!

My students need materials to enhance their play based therapy sessions.

  • $712 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

My Students

My students range in ages from 5-9. They have all been diagnosed with a variety of disabilities that make learning very unique for them! These students are kind and very loving with hearts of gold. They are guaranteed to make your day special every single day!

My students thrive with unique learning strategies that assist in advancing their functional performance.

We have students who are non-verbal so we utilize PECS (Picture Exchange System) and the STAR program to enhance learning. The students enjoy learning and make teaching them a fun experience everyday!

My Project

The students who receive speech services within our special education classrooms participate in a more play based therapy session this year. The use of play helps enhance language skills but also gives them social interactions that are vital for everyday life.

We are using PECS (Picture Exchange System) to utilize communication skills for our students who are non-verbal.

This gives them a way to communicate with others without using their voice. The PECS program requires a very systematic approach which involves having extra materials on hand that are an interest to the student. Our students are at varying levels in the PECS program but we are seeing success with it! In addition, we are also using STAR (Strategies for Teaching Based on Autism Research) to provide evidence based instructional practices.

All of the materials requested will be used for direct hands-on therapy approaches. Shape sorters to emphasize shape and color vocabulary. Puzzles help give another avenue for vocabulary practice. The play food gives additional vocabulary and category practice which in turn will assist in eliciting vocalizations. The sensory materials will be used to give students sensory breaks in between each task presented. Play sets give us multiple opportunities to target following directions, basic concepts, sequencing, and vocabulary exposure in a fun, yet meaningful way.

We are need more materials to help us motivate our students to succeed. The activities we provide change daily and differ for every student in the classroom. The level of materials and planning needed is high, but giving the students tools they need to communicate and learn is well worth it! These materials will assist us in helping our students with special needs reach their highest potential!

Mrs. Havens
Grades PreK-2

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Piggy Bank • Amazon Business $29.69 1 $29.69
Melissa & Doug Take-Along Show-Horse Stable Play Set With Wooden Stable Box and 8 Toy Horses • Amazon Business $24.98 1 $24.98
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Fruits & Fun Learning Market • Amazon Business $23.65 1 $23.65
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Say Please Snack Set • Amazon Business $22.98 1 $22.98
LeapFrog Number Lovin' Oven • Amazon Business $22.95 1 $22.95
Fisher-Price Hungry Monster Maze • Amazon Business $22.00 1 $22.00
Fisher-Price Little People Magic of Disney, Mickey & Minnie's House • Amazon Business $19.97 1 $19.97
Learning Resources Shape Matching Cookies, 9 Pieces • Amazon Business $18.69 1 $18.69
Melissa & Doug K's Kids Take-Along Shape Sorter Baby Toy With 2-Sided Activity Bag and 9 Textured Shape Blocks • Amazon Business $17.82 1 $17.82
Learning Resources Ruff's House Teaching Tactile Set, 30 Pieces • Amazon Business $17.79 1 $17.79
Melissa & Doug Farm Animals Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzle • Amazon Business $16.99 1 $16.99
Melissa & Doug Pop Blocs Farm Animals Educational Baby Toy - 10 Linkable Pieces • Amazon Business $16.49 1 $16.49
Learning Resources Hide-N-Go Moo, 9 Pieces • Amazon Business $16.49 1 $16.49
Learning Resources Smart Counting Cookies, 13 Pieces • Amazon Business $16.39 1 $16.39
Fisher-Price Little People Disney Princess Snow White's Fold 'N Go Apple Playset • Amazon Business $16.26 1 $16.26
Melissa & Doug Vehicles Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzle (8 pcs) • Amazon Business $16.21 1 $16.21
Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Boppin' Activity Bugs [Colors May Vary] • Amazon Business $15.99 1 $15.99
Melissa & Doug Wooden Sandwich-Making Set • Amazon Business $15.97 1 $15.97
Under The Sea Plastic Sea Life Creatures 90 pc • Amazon Business $13.97 1 $13.97
Learning Resources Smart Snacks Count 'em Up Popcorn • Amazon Business $13.49 1 $13.49
Battat Pound and Roll Learning Toy for Toddlers (Includes Hammer + 4 Balls) • Amazon Business $13.25 1 $13.25
Bright Starts Giggling Gourmet Put 'n Shake Eggs • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99
Learning Resources Number Turtles Set, 15 Pieces • Amazon Business $12.52 1 $12.52
Learning Resources Where Is Howie's Owie? • Amazon Business $12.19 1 $12.19
Melissa & Doug 20 Wooden Farm Magnets in a Box • Amazon Business $11.49 1 $11.49
Melissa & Doug Joey Magnetic Wooden Dress-Up Pretend Play Set (25+ pcs) • Amazon Business $11.39 1 $11.39
Melissa & Doug Maggie Leigh Magnetic Wooden Dress-Up Doll Pretend Play Set (25+ pcs) • Amazon Business $11.39 1 $11.39
Autism Supplies And Developments PECS Feelings Board • Amazon Business $11.29 1 $11.29
Hohner Kids Mini Rainmaker, 8 Inch • Amazon Business $11.19 1 $11.19
Melissa & Doug 25 Wooden Shape and Color Magnets in a Box • Amazon Business $10.85 1 $10.85
Melissa & Doug 2053 Shapes Knob Wooden Puzzle • Amazon Business $9.95 1 $9.95
Melissa & Doug Fish Bowl Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzle • Amazon Business $9.95 1 $9.95
Melissa & Doug Rainbow Caterpillar Gear Toy With 6 Interchangeable Gears • Amazon Business $9.49 1 $9.49
Sensory Toy For Relaxation - ADHD Fidget Toy - Liquid Motion Bubbler Timer - Toy for Sensory Play, Calming Toy, (1 Piece) Assorted Colors • Amazon Business $8.97 1 $8.97
Melissa & Doug Disney Mickey and Friends Wooden Alphabet Magnets - 52 Uppercase and Lowercase Letters • Amazon Business $8.88 1 $8.88
Volcanic Eruption Liquid Motion Toy by Incredible Science • Amazon Business $7.50 1 $7.50
Fisher-Price Butterfly Shape Sorter • Amazon Business $7.21 1 $7.21
1/2 Pound Bag of Blue Water Gel Beads Pearls for Vase Filler, Candles, Wedding Centerpiece, Home Decoration, Plants, Toys, Education. Makes 6 Gallons • Amazon Business $6.99 1 $6.99

Materials cost

$566.26

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$8.49

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$604.75

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$106.72

Total project goal

$711.47

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $711.47

3 Donors

-$711.47

Donations toward project cost

-$604.75

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$106.72

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 Mrs. Havens and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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