I am a 7th grade Special Education teacher at Rippowam Middle School in Stamford. We are the largest middle school in an urban district, as well as a Title 1 Focus School. Many of my students come from low-mid income families, where 60% of the student population is on free or reduced lunch.
I teach in multiple co-taught settings, a resource setting, and a learning center setting.
Over the course of the day, I deal with about 70 students. In my Language Arts setting over 30% of students are receiving Ds or Fs, and 30% of students are classified as students who receive special education services, while there is no direct correlation of the two. Of the students, I teach in a math setting approximately 15% are failing and approximately 50% are students classified as students who receive special education services. Of the students I teach in a resource or learning center setting, a majority of them are failing (or in danger of) more than 1 class and/or are below grade level in reading and/or mathematics. As a result, one of the challenges I have is with disengaged students in my classroom which then leads to misbehavior.
My Project
Disengaged students often feel unsuccessful in school. In turn, chronic absences, failure across academic classes, and misbehavior are concerning issues. My goal is to re-engage those students with greater access to 21st Century learning, and resources.
Most of the items in my cart have to do with technology, flexible seating, or manipulatives.
One goal is to provide flexible seating options and distraction-free tools like room dividers and noise canceling headphones. If students feel like they have a safe comfortable environment where they have choices in where and how they work, they will feel empowered and more comfortable, allowing them to focus on their work.
Technology: Tablets and Chromebooks open up a plethora of capabilities that make accessing assignments and resources much easier. It also simplifies completing, organizing, and handing in work which means student performance and success increase. The students all have Google Drive and by supplying them with Chromebooks and tablets they can access their items, teachers' classrooms, upload notes to their drive, write papers, and more. Also, there is less chance of forgetting, not knowing, or losing assignments. Not only will these tools allow students to increase their level of success, but they will provide students with the practice and knowledge of our ever-increasing use of technology in the real world and in their futures, even more so for students who do not have access to these tools at home.
The place value flip chart, building fractions, decimals, and percentages magnets/manipulatives, math game, and curriculum books will allow more hands-on and visual learning process. The exploration of content in a tangible way will make learning more engaging and accessible. Students can literally see ideas that they may not be able to visualize in their minds based on lessons.
Epson DC 07 Document Camera document camera
• CDW-G
$197.01
1
$197.01
Coaster Home Furnishings Oriental Shoji 4 Panel Folding Privacy Screen Room Divider - Black
• Amazon Business
$70.00
1
$70.00
Levin 10 Port USB Charging Station Dock with Built in Charge Cables Patented Retractable Design Organizer for Smart Phones & Tablets Black Model FP C10A
• Amazon Business
$38.99
1
$38.99
LapGear MyDesk - Black (Fits upto 15.6" Laptop)
• Amazon Business
$16.60
2
$33.20
Brentwood Originals Brushed Twill Bedrest, Black
• Amazon Business
$32.28
1
$32.28
HH675 - Building Fractions, Decimals & Percents Magnetic Board
• Lakeshore Learning Materials
$29.99
1
$29.99
Snug Kids Earmuffs / Hearing Protectors - Adjustable Headband Ear Defenders For Children and Adults (Black)
• Amazon Business
$14.75
2
$29.50
Synergee 10 Pack Mini Band Resistance Loop Exercise Bands Red XX-Heavy Resistance
• Amazon Business
$27.85
1
$27.85
PP223 - Pop to Win! Math Game - Gr. 3
• Lakeshore Learning Materials
$19.99
1
$19.99
Instant Math Practice, Grade 4
• Amazon Business
$15.99
1
$15.99
Instant Math Practice, Grade 5
• Amazon Business
$15.99
1
$15.99
Soft Interlocking Foam Mats – Interlocking Play Mat Tiles – Soft Foam Playmat – Puzzle Foam Floor Mat , Thick , Non Toxic , Anti-Fatigue , Jean like Color , Premium Foam Mat with Borders
• Amazon Business
$15.99
1
$15.99
1PC Eaglestar P580 Replacement S Stylus Pen Pointer Pen for Black Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 P580 P585
• Amazon Business
$15.88
1
$15.88
Didax Educational Resources Place Value Flip Stand
• Amazon Business
$15.18
1
$15.18
aibow Capacitive Stylus Pens for Touch Screens [ Fine Point Disc Tip & Mesh Tip 2in1 ] with 4 Replaceable Disc Tips & 4 Replaceable Mesh Tips (Black/Silver)
• Amazon Business
$12.99
1
$12.99
Wired Headphones, 2-Pack Earphones Headphones Stereo Headphones Microphones Earphones Microphones and Remote Control Apple iPhone Earphones (Black)
• Amazon Business
$10.99
1
$10.99
Mixoo Capacitive Stylus Pen,(Disc and Fiber Tip 2-in-1 Series),Fine Tip,High Sensitivity and Precision,Stylus for Ipad,Iphone and Other Touch Screens Devices, Black
• Amazon Business
$10.49
1
$10.49
50-Pack 6 x 2mm Round Magnets
• Amazon Business
$7.49
1
$7.49
Materials cost
$1,430.96
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$21.46
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$1,482.42
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$261.60
Total project goal
$1,744.02
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$1,744.02
1 Donor
-$872.01
Donations toward project cost
-$741.21
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$130.80
match offer
-$872.01
Match offer toward project cost
-$741.21
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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. Fornaciari and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
