Learning in Color with Essential Printing Supplies for Special Education
Help me give my students the color printer ink, velcro, laminating sheets, and colored printer paper needed to create vibrant visual supports and personalized, interactive learning materials.
This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
My students are resilient, creative, curious, funny, and hard-working 3-5 year olds who attend a Head Start affiliated Pre-K classroom at a DC public school. Our full-time special education classroom is part of an elementary school on the city's list of targeted schools with the highest number of "at-risk" students, determined based on socioeconomic needs. Regardless of these "labels," my students consistently prove what is possible with hard work and dedication.
My students, who have been diagnosed with autism or other communication related challenges, experience school for the first time while in our classroom.
My students work toward the same goals as their peers, but often need specialized materials or a slightly different approach to instruction. Throughout the day, they practice academic, social, and communication skills through one-on-one and small group instruction. My students learn best when we explore new vocabulary and concepts through play (like a craft activity, pretending to cook in our play kitchen, or building structures with blocks) as well as more formal teacher driven instruction. Everything in my classroom is highly customized to each student's individual needs and interests, with each student's daily schedule and lesson content looking slightly different.
My Project
Can you imagine getting excited about a new concept but only having access to black and white images to discuss with others or learn more about the topic? For example, in the fall students will explore the concept of "Trees" by discussing how the characteristics of trees change during various seasons. For my students, pictures are a way of communication. Each school year I customize everything in my classroom for each new student. Massive amounts of laminating pouches and Velcro are turned into hands-on photo icons and learning activities that are sturdy enough to last through daily use. These supplies are especially critical during the first few months of the school year as we work to make sure the classroom reflects students and their families. I often print my own materials because "out of the box" books or games don't reflect what my students need most. For example, my students who are still learning their first words initially start with identifying pictures of themselves, family members, and highly preferred items such as a favorite neighborhood restaurant or toy from home. We are also adopting a new curriculum this year, requiring a "refresh" of many previously printed materials.
Just like you might imagine buying crayons or folders to help an older elementary school student prepare for the new year, my classroom for students with unique learning needs uses hundreds of pages worth of paper and printer ink.
A pre-paid card to fund monthly HP InstantInk subscription service will ensure our classroom NEVER runs out of color ink! New cartridges will be shipped before the old cartridges even run out. Paired with a bulk supply of Velcro, laminating pages, and color paper, we will be able to make the functional and engaging learning materials that students need throughout this school year.
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 Mrs. Battle and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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