As a teacher of students with autism, I have experienced the joy of watching socially challenged students work cooperatively for the first time. My 4th and 5th grade students are all bussed to our specialized school from a wide variety of Brooklyn neighborhoods. They bring to the table differing abilities and interests, but all put a lot of effort towards becoming friends and working as a group.
Unfortunately, our kidney table, the focal piece of furniture in our classroom, has been broken for the past two years. Although we have desks set up as individual workstations, our kidney table is our gathering place for read-alouds, literacy workshops, math games, science investigations, birthday parties, and other class celebrations. Socialization and attention issues are particular challenges for students with autism; for this reason a kidney table is an ideal work space for my students.
A new kidney table will help my students work in a group throughout the day, socialize, and cooperate. The shape of the table encourages student attention on the teacher and each other and allows me access to each student's work without disrupting the class by getting up and moving around.
Your donation will drastically improve the productivity of our group lessons and activities. Without a new kidney table, we will continue to waste time shuffling students from place to place in the classroom. Your help to purchase such a vital piece of furniture will be appreciated for years to come by many students and very much by me!
More than three‑quarters of 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
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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. Fredricksen and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.