Remember your elementary school classroom? Was it stocked with interesting puzzles, colorful manipulatives, and fun toys that sparked your imagination? My students crave a classroom filled with educational toys that inspire them to do their best.
This year my classroom has 13 energetic 6-8 year olds with autism.
We have a funky, little classroom that is filled with activity everyday starting at 8:30 in the morning. The students love anything physical, visually appealing, or kinesthetic. Our school is in Oakland, and from the outside it looks charming. However, our classroom is spartan when it comes to play things. We have battered stuffed animals and it seems like every puzzle is missing a piece.
Many of our students have explicit goals that work on visual tasks, like putting puzzles together, sorting shapes and objects, and building social skills through imaginative play. The kids love working on these kinds as activities, because it activates their strengths and motivations.
My Project
You could help us transform a dilapidated toy shelf into an inspirational spread with colorful and contemporary puzzles, shape sorters, language based games, and sensory tools to get input before stationary learning.
Students will be able to master IEP goals related visual and spatial performance tasks, grown their language foundation, build their imagination, and learn how to connect with peers socially.
These new materials will give special education student access to the tools they need to be successful.
They deserve access to all the things they need to learn, just like their peers in general education.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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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. Healey and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
