Marvelous Avengers: Saving Literacy Once and For All!
My students need a carpet and hands-on literacy and math centers to strengthen and practice skills necessary to read grade level texts and write responses to those texts independently as well as to learn and apply math strategies.
I am a special education teacher and I work in a school that serves students who have been identified as having a disability, who come from low-income or high poverty areas all around New York City. My school is one of the only educational institutions that provide a balance of academic and behavioral instruction for students who have been placed in a more restrictive setting. Currently, I have 8 students in my classroom, all who have been diagnosed as emotionally disturbed and require a modified curriculum as well as a very structured environment.
Integrating activities my students like into our daily routines such as dancing, movement, and hands-on projects, allow them to relieve stress and stay engaged.
My students love expressing themselves with art and are really interested in conducting science experiments! My students are motivated by making choices on their own thus becoming more independent and accountable for their actions.
Unfortunately, I am expected to teach 4-5 subjects using outdated texts, a chalkboard, limited access to technology equipment, in a classroom with broken chairs kids constantly fall off of. I just want to give my students the best education with the best tools because that's what they deserve.
My Project
Students in my classroom are divided into three different grade levels for math and two grade levels for individualized reading instruction with time allotted during the week for one-on-one instruction in both math and ELA. The materials like an activity carpet and science learning center will be used when doing station teaching, which will allow students to practice specific math, reading, and writing skills independently while I conduct mini lessons with the other groups. I am also in the process of creating academic-focused centers that are fun and meaningful for the kids. These materials will help keep my students engaged and will help avoid serious crisis from occurring. In addition, the books will help students develop and strengthen critical literacy skills that will gradually transform my students into independent readers as they progress through each reading level. The sensory table area is an area for them to recover when they're unable to cope with the environment. This will help students to de-escalate within the classroom and will give them the time and space they need before they get reintegrated into the lesson or activity.
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. Maisonet and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
