As a special education teacher in an inner city school, I work with students who come from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and economic statuses. Most importantly, each and every one of my students have a diagnosis that requires them to receive specialized instruction to help meet our state curriculum standards.
Within my 8th grade caseload, students are working hard to overcome academic as well as social/emotional/behavioral challenges presented by Specific Learning Disabilities, ADHD-ADD/Other Health Impairments, Autism, Emotional Disturbance, and Speech/Language deficits.
They are a tenacious, funny, and enjoyable group of children who inspire me on a daily basis. Watching them learn, grow, and make gains towards their goals within the school environment is extremely rewarding and validates my passion for working with these amazing individuals.
My Project
I chose to have this kidney activity table as part of my project because it will allow my students with diverse needs to sit in close proximity to me while I provide differentiated and/or individualized instruction in the areas of Language Arts and Math. Currently, students are spread out between two smaller tables and as I walk back and forth between them, students take the opportunity to engage in off task behaviors or shut down if I can't meet their needs in an efficient manner.
If students are seated around the kidney table, I can effectively monitor their progress, assist with curriculum content, demonstrate examples, aid in organization, monitor engagement, and much more.
This table will allow students to have a clear, close view of the white board during instruction as well as close proximity to me during independent practice. Students will get their individual needs met and I can better help them achieve their IEP academic goals, classroom goals, and curriculum standards.
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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. Smith and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
