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
The last day of school for my students was March 13, 2020, before the stay-at-home order went into effect. My students are greatly affected by this unprecedented time, as we all are. They need the daily routine of school. They need to see familiar faces. They need to receive the nurturing and affection they so desperately need. For some, school is the only place they receive these important things. This is such a difficult time for all of our families, and my biggest hope is that they are healthy and doing well.
I work with the youngest and most vulnerable students; they have multiple special needs, including significant cognitive, social-emotional, and physical disabilities.
My colleagues and I are spending countless hours developing activities that our students will be able to do at home. I am finding that phone calls, and especially video chats (if possible) are so valuable. My students' faces literally light up when they see familiar faces from school.
My Project
I have made numerous videos for my students to watch, as I feel that seeing a familiar face is very important to them. I plan to create more videos, demonstrating manipulation of objects and toys, appropriate grasp of a crayon, and correct formation of letters (for my higher functioning students). I will show them ways they can use various items, as well as how they can substitute different household items.
My greatest hope is that through videos and online demonstrations, my little students will be able to play and engage in more fine motor and sensory experiences, using these new items.
Remote learning will have hopefully engaged some of them in order to help them maintain their skills. I hope that when we return to school in the fall, all of my little students will have the opportunities they had before.
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. Debbie and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
