I'm currently working in a school within the NYC DOE that provides highly specialized instructional support for students with significant challenges. I teach amazing and extremely loveable students who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I have some students who communicate expressively and/or receptively - we communicate using pictures, symbols, and assistive technology devices throughout the day. They each have their own, unique personality and are a joy to have in my classroom. I look forward to logging onto Google Classroom every day because of them.
Even through the coronavirus pandemic, my students and their families have been working hard to continue learning at home despite the many difficulties and challenges that they face along the way.
Their daily schedules and routines, as they know it, have been flipped upside down. However, I am extremely proud of how resilient my students have shown to be and how much progress they have made during this entire transition period. My students truly deserve the best of the best, and I know that with the right tools/supplies, they can have the opportunity to continue to be successful!
My Project
As we enter our 7th week of distance learning, many of my students are still continuing to adjust to their new normal. I have been working closely with my students' families to make this transition as seamless as possible for them. I've been doing weekly livestream read-alouds, recording DIY sensory activities, checking in with them through phone calls/video chats, etc. However, the biggest challenge we've been facing is the lack of access to the sensory and educational materials my students need to continue their learning at home.
My students learn best when tactile manipulatives and visuals are included in their learning.
They benefit greatly from incorporating frequent breaks throughout the day. They typically enjoy sensory-based breaks, such as playing with slime or foam. Their ability to focus and learn increases when frequent breaks are given throughout their learning.
The materials I chose for this project were specifically chosen with this student in mind. These materials will be used as supplemental tools as they work towards their Individualized Educational Plan goals in all subject areas (math, reading, writing, social-emotional, and self-management). These items can also be used through my virtual instruction, their related service therapies (speech and occupational therapy), and/or when they need a sensory break.
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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. Esther and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
