My students need cordless headphones, weighted sensory tools, study carrels, oral sensory tools, timers & twist & write pencils to help them while they are mainstreamed into general education classes.
I teach a Level 1 DDK/DD1 class in OK. My kids have a range of abilities from High functioning Autism to Low functioning ID. The ultimate goal of my program is to integrate them into a general education classroom as much as possible. All of my kids go into another classroom; some for academic time and some may go just for social and language exposure.
My kid's disabilities DO NOT define them and we exceed expectations every day!
However, to do this we often have to teach the same skill in 7 different ways. It takes a lot of manpower and tools to keep my kids working on all of their different things at the same time. Our school is a Title I school and we try to provide the most tools we can, but there are still needs. My students' parents often work more than one job to provide for the family or parents work alternate shifts. They depend on us to send home extra skills work, so they can work with their child at home.
My Project
The goal of my classroom is to get my students to be mainstreamed as much as they can succeed. Often the biggest struggles in this is having the tools they need in the general education classroom, as I barely have enough for them in my room due to budget cuts. With this project I would have more of these tools to share with the general education classrooms to help my students transition smoother.
My student's deserve a highly qualified education, as much as any other kid.
The weighted and oral sensory tools would allow them to meet their sensory needs while be included in the classroom. Too often, when they need these to tools to be successful in a general education classroom we do not have enough to send out with them. The study carrels will allow them to work in a larger, more busy setting without getting distracted. The Twist 'n' Write pencils will allow those with fine motor delays to work without teacher assist. The kitchen timers will let them know when it's time to go between classes or help them know how long they have to work on a task.
Too often my students have the ability to be in the general education classroom, but we do not have the tools or supplies to accommodate for them. This project will allow my students to reach their highest potential; not only in a special education setting, but also in a general education classroom.
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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 Mrs. Lewis and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.