We would love to use all of the latest and greatest educational software in our classroom, but we just DON'T have computers that allow us to do so.
I teach a primary special education classroom (1st, 2nd and 3rd grade) for children with mild to moderate learning disabilities, including Autism.
Additionally, many of my students have extremely limited language skills and fine motor skills. Most of my students are from a lower socioeconomic background with no access to computers, other than what they get to use at school. Due to my student's various special needs, they need constant supervision in order for maximum learning to occur.
As a result of the different learning styles and needs of my students, I need to be able to focus on small groups and differentiate the method of instruction and materials. While I am teaching one group, the other children also need to be engaged in learning activities.
My Project
My students need computers for our classroom that are capable of handling current software programs. One way to accomplish this is by having a small group working on their language arts & math skills on the classroom computers. They play math games to practice computational skills, phonics games to practice letter and sound recognition and use still other programs to create art projects and learn keyboarding skills. They are "playing" yet practicing skills that they need in order to move to the next grade level successful. A computer center allows my students to enter the academic experience with the technological experience they will need to be successful.
Learning is becoming more technology based each day. If my students are to be successful and current, they will need to be comfortable using the latest technology available. They can only do this with new computers, because the ones we have just don't work anymore.
This project will help me to interact with and instruct my students individually and in small groups on a more consistent basis.
By creating a current and workable computer center, my students will have more opportunities for academic success outside of their oral and written language activities. Additionally, a new computer center will allow me to create extra accommodations for my students so they can work at their various functional levels rather then their grade level.
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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. Rosenstein and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.