After six years of teaching in a self-contained special education classroom, I am transferring to teach in an inclusive kindergarten class. I am very excited since I really believe that all students should have the opportunity to be taught in the general education classroom. The teacher I am replacing is taking most of her materials with her, however, so I am basically starting over with just tables, chairs, and textbooks. I am a firm believer that kindergarten students, like most students, learn best by exploring and participating in hands-on activities. Louisiana also requires that kindergarten students participate in over two hours a day of student directed learning, or centers.
Ideally I would like enough center materials that my students can work in pairs while I conduct small group reading and math instruction. I need materials that either come with storage or store easily since my classroom is small the work tables will have to do double duty as centers tables.
Although I think that play and social development are an integral part of the kindergarten experience, I believe center time should contain a balance between learning and play. I am requesting a variety of simple, hands-on science activities. Each activity has either picture directions or is self-checking to increase the student's self-reliance. It will also help make sure that the students are learning and getting something out of the activities other than just keeping busy while I teach small groups. Since I will have students with autism and other disabilities in my classroom and English language learners the picture based nature of the directions will be especially important. Each activity was carefully selected to focus on the specific aspects of science in our curriculum. I really like that the science materials are very hands-on with lots of materials for the students to explore.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my proposal. I hope you will consider donating to my students. Our supplies are so limited anything you can contribute will really help make a difference.
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