I am a special education teacher at a high-needs elementary school. My students have learning and emotional disabilities. Many of our families are experiencing financial hardship. We have an amazing and giving community of people. We are working together to close the achievement gap and we are doing the best we can with the resources available. I often state, "Maslow before Blooms". We do our best to help students with the basic necessities to function, i.e. food, clothes, toiletries, school supplies, etc. The spirit of the students and staff is tremendously positive and we are achieving some great objectives. Working together, we can fill some buckets and continue to provide hope for the future as well as the skills necessary for our students to become college and career ready.
Fifty-five percent of our District is low-income, 57% Hispanic, 12% African-American, 27% White, 3% Asian, and 1% other.
Our classes serve students with a range of disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, social/emotional challenges, autism spectrum disorder and specific learning disabilities. The typical student on my caseload is two grade levels behind their peers in reading and math.
My Project
Our students benefit tremendously from visual and interactive tools. This resource is comprehensive in nature and addresses many of the essential needs are students need. They will be able to work collaboratively as well as independently. Technology is great, but kids still love to use "hands-on" resources that are colorful and fun. These items are durable and long-lasting.
These are engaging resources that will grab a student's attention and will give teachers the opportunity to assess student success and growth.
These ready-to-use centers make independent learning a breeze—even for nonreaders! The centers have everything children need to build beginning language skills—from word building and rhyming sounds to sight-word recognition. Just set out the materials, introduce the activity…and let students work at their own pace. Each center is designed for up to 4 children to work at once, with a double-sided instruction chart that gives everyone easy access to the activities…and simple picture instructions students can follow on their own. Complete set includes 8 centers. Develops skills in rhyming sounds, beginning sounds, story sequencing, letter recognition, building words, syllable counting, sight-words and simple sentences.We have to be resourceful and creative to find ways to fund resources that will have a positive impact on the lives of our students.
The Phonics Awareness Centers are designed so that up to 4 children can work at once, with a double-sided instruction chart that gives everyone easy access to the activities…and simple picture instructions that are a cinch for students to follow on their own.
We have to find a way to give our children the best opportunity to succeed. They are depending on us. Our District and Community is committed to our students, family, and staff. The students are eager to learn.
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 Mr. Donohue and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
