Stan Gudder said, "The essence of mathematics is not to make simple things complicated, but to make complicated things simple." In my 1st and 2nd grade special education class, that quote is what I do and how I teach. I teach in the most simple way to get the meaning across. I invest in your help!
My 1st and 2nd grade special education students come from a mixed income area.
Our school is ranked low-moderate poverty so we do not qualify for as many materials and equipment as other schools around us. I have students with mild and moderate disabilities who need hands-on learning activities rather than paper/pencil lessons. Several students have multiple services such as occupational therapy and adaptive physical education. Hands-on math materials will provide so much more than math; they will provide therapy and multi-sensory methods for instruction.
My Project
As a lower elementary special education teacher it is imperative that my students are switching activities every 15-20 minutes. This means that in a typical math class, they would switch activities 4-5 times. Every day I need at least 4 learning stations that are meaningful, fun, and educational. As this proposal is for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), I have included things for engineering and math. Our stations need to be STEMulated as well as STEMulating! The building mats, geoboards, and playstix are all for the engineering aspect of STEM and help with dexterity, spatial relations, motor skills, and planning. The materials I am requesting fill the gap with what I have and what I desire. My students will be able to count on their own using the counting and dough mats, match numbers with number words, and more. They will use fine and gross motor skills with several of the requested activities. Help stimulate my students with this STEM related project.
The funding of this project will add variety to our math stations and engage the students, thus improving their math skills.
Keeping my students moving every 15-20 minutes keeps them interested in math and the addition of these games and activities will add variety to my existing math stations.
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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. Noble and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
