My students need to have alphabet bins and a special cushion to make it easier to be engaged. They also need pointers and spacers to help them write and read, rather than continually using their fingers.
This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
My students are English Language Learners (ELLs) from different parts of the world. They live in the City of Rochester, New York, which has a high refugee and Hispanic population. I have one student from Nepal, and the rest are Puerto Rican. They range in grades kindergarten to sixth grade. All of the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students have become very close and work well together.
They encourage each other to work hard acquiring English and are constantly praising each other for hard work.
The majority of my students are pulled out of their classrooms and come into my room to work in small groups for ESOL services. This provides them the opportunity to build their vocabulary and master their grammar; while reading, writing, listening, and speaking. This is my third year at this school and they have made huge gains with their English acquisition since I came here.
My Project
All of these items would make a word of difference for the majority of my lower elementary and primary students!
The sensory cushion would help my autistic student focus instead of wiggling around the chair.
There have been studies that show the cushions help students with sensory concerns focus better during class time.
The pointers will help all of my kindergarten through second grade students follow along when they read. It would be more enticing than just using their fingers. The spacing sticks will help them with their writing. Usually students use their fingers to make a space, however I have two students who are left handed, making using the finger not feasible.
I have wanted alphabet tubs for years! Having something tangible that students can touch and move based on letter sounds (besides pictures printed on paper), would keep the lessons engaging. We can use these for initial, medial, and final sounds. Students can sort based on the 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. Harris and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
