My students need two Kidcraft bookcases with reading nooks so that they will have a comfortable place to read that helps them to feel safe and sheltered.
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 children range in grade level from 2nd to 5th. They all have some degree of hearing loss. Several have assistive hearing technology (hearing aids or cochlear implants) and a few do not. Some of my students are oral, while others rely on sign language.
Everyday they remind me of what kindness and love means.
They accept each other and their differences without question. They help each other constantly and never leave anyone behind! They are all passionate, hard working, and dedicated to learning. I teach ELAR, which is an area of utmost importance to children with a hearing loss. None of my children possess grade level language skills and all of them struggle with reading. Our focus is not only to foster a love and ability to read in my class, but also to develop the ability to self-advocate. My children are learning to speak up for themselves and to be proud of who they are.
My students favorite thing to do is to have dance parties! Not all of them can hear the music, but they can feel the beat! So when we need a brain break, we dance it out!
My Project
Many of our students were displaced, lost their homes, their clothes, their personal things, and lost their sense of safety. Hurricane Harvey led to so much suffering and damage. Imagine being pulled from your home, in the middle of the night, into raging water and then a boat, and never understanding what was happening. Our children do not all have easy access to open communication at home, or the background knowledge to even comprehend what was taking place. Their assistive technology made the sounds of rushing water louder and the thunder crack as if it was inside their head. Those who are profoundly deaf were left to respond by watching others reactions around them.
These children were torn from the lives they knew, and thrown into situations they were not prepared to handle.
Some still do not have their homes back. Many lost their books at home, their furniture, and everything they found comforting. I want to give my children a beautiful library in our classroom. A place that they can snuggle up with a good book and escape their worries from home. I want them to feel comforted and safe so that they can continue to grow despite their current situations.
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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. Parker and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
