I teach in a self-contained classroom at a public middle school in Charlotte, NC. My students have a wide range of disabilities that include intellectual disabilities, multiple disabilities, visual impairments, autism and learning disabilities. My students are a sweet and enthusiastic group who have developed a love of learning in both the classroom and school community.
My classroom celebrates each students' unique abilities and potential.
Not only are many cultural and ethnic differences represented but also neurological, cognitive, sensory and emotional ones.
My Project
The Explore Budgeting Curriculum will allow my students to practice skills such as monitoring their personal funds, view their expenses and learn how to spend wisely on things they need, rather than things they may want (unnecessary purchases). The math stories featured in the curriculum contain real-life photos and depict real-life situations that my students can relate to. In addition, the stories are supported by visuals and symbols that will assist and allow my non-readers to comprehend.
The life skills budgeting curriculum will allow my students to generalize and practice these learned skills in their community.
In the Stepping Out Into the Community curriculum, a task analysis approach is taught to the students prior to going on a community outing. Skills such as the next dollar strategy, calculating tax, calculating tip, credit and debit card use are addressed. Checklists and data sheets are provided in the curriculum for assessing and monitoring student growth and progress with acquiring the necessary skills before venturing out in the community. Examples of community outings include: personal needs (using the bank), leisure time (movies, bowling), eating habits (eating at different types of restaurants) and shopping skills (department store and grocery store shopping).
The Budget Games (Budget Town and Budget City) will provide extra practice with money skills for my students. The games are differentiated based on student needs (lower level and higher level) and give students the opportunity to explore budgeting by engaging in money purchases using coins and bills as well as paying with checks and credit/debit cards.
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. Pemberton and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
