I have worked with children with special needs for many years. This is my first year in a Pre-K classroom and my first year in the Bridgeport Schools. I quickly learned that there are no funds allocated for teachers to buy instructional materials or classroom supplies. Although the district budget has been balanced, there is no money for printer ink, paper, playdough, tissues, etc. I am lucky to be able to use toys (saved from my own children's early years) with my students and I have had some luck with tag sales. However, supplying basic necessities and trying to provide items to address my students' needs is difficult.
Young children need opportunities to interact with materials that spark their interest, motivate participation and keep them engaged in learning. I will create visual supports for classroom routines and specialized instructional materials to address early literacy and numeracy goals using the colored ink, card stock, laminating pouches, etc. New sets of blocks and manipulatives will allow my students to develop fine motor skills. Pretend play items, books, and props will help them develop receptive and expressive vocabulary while exploring language concepts such as action words, possession, and attributes of size, color, quantity, etc. My students will increase their social/behavioral skills playing alongside each other and taking turns with new toys and materials.
Funding this project will help my students stay engaged and achieve success through specialized learning opportunities. Activities and instruction will be responsive to student interests and abilities and foster next steps in all areas of skill development. The classroom will be full of interaction - staff working with students, students playing with students and students learning by engaging with materials!
About my class
I have worked with children with special needs for many years. This is my first year in a Pre-K classroom and my first year in the Bridgeport Schools. I quickly learned that there are no funds allocated for teachers to buy instructional materials or classroom supplies. Although the district budget has been balanced, there is no money for printer ink, paper, playdough, tissues, etc. I am lucky to be able to use toys (saved from my own children's early years) with my students and I have had some luck with tag sales. However, supplying basic necessities and trying to provide items to address my students' needs is difficult.
Young children need opportunities to interact with materials that spark their interest, motivate participation and keep them engaged in learning. I will create visual supports for classroom routines and specialized instructional materials to address early literacy and numeracy goals using the colored ink, card stock, laminating pouches, etc. New sets of blocks and manipulatives will allow my students to develop fine motor skills. Pretend play items, books, and props will help them develop receptive and expressive vocabulary while exploring language concepts such as action words, possession, and attributes of size, color, quantity, etc. My students will increase their social/behavioral skills playing alongside each other and taking turns with new toys and materials.
Funding this project will help my students stay engaged and achieve success through specialized learning opportunities. Activities and instruction will be responsive to student interests and abilities and foster next steps in all areas of skill development. The classroom will be full of interaction - staff working with students, students playing with students and students learning by engaging with materials!
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