My classroom is full 7 amazing humans between the ages of 5 and 7 with cognitive impairments! A typical day is busy with lots of movement and energy. Our classroom is one big family. Each one us learns differently and has unique needs. We embrace that! Everyone is loved and respected. No matter what happens throughout our day, everyone knows they belong here and that we are always there for one another.
"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." Students in my classroom have cognitive impairments, physical impairments, other health impairments, and autism.
Various items help my students learn to the best of their ability. Students are in my classroom a majority of the day but are also involved in their general education classroom with their peers. We strive to work as a team and gather tools that will help individual students to support them in anyway possible. However, we need many more items to meet the needs of every learner. Many of my students have sensory issues and need to access different tools to meet those needs so they can strive to reach their goals daily!
My Project
I strive to provide an area where students enjoy reading including books, comfy seating, pillows and soft lighting. Each student has a book bin that will contain books they personally choose from our classroom library that sparks their interest. These books will be loved by the students because they can relate to them. The environment will promote a space that students will be invited and drawn to. I want them to be able to escape into the world of reading to work on those foundational skills! According to the National Education Association, "having kids read a lot is one of the crucial components of becoming a good reader. Young readers need to become practiced at recognizing letters and sounds. The only way to get good at it is to practice."
Can you imagine having a classroom library that isn't inviting, comfy and doesn't have anything that grabs your attention?
In our classroom, we believe everyone is a reader. Establishing foundational skills at such a young age is so important! Having an environment where students are encouraged, loved, and invited is my goal. Exposing students to various books will allow them to grow as readers. They will be able to learn so much and establish the foundational skills as an emergent learner, such as learning letters and letter sounds!
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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. Leale and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
