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Goal

The goal of this project is to be able to print color visuals that will aid my non-verbal class in developing their communication skills.
I am a new teacher this year and my classroom is lacking many items that would be beneficial to the children I teach. My prekindergarten class of 3-5 yr olds is self-contained and the disabilities of my class range from developmentally delayed to children on the autism spectrum. Often, the parents of my students come into my classroom very distraught. They are often beginning to realize that their child has special needs and are at a bit of a loss how to teach or communicate with their child. The children will exhibit behavior problems that are often due to frustrations due to their inability to communicate. These families have a piece of my heart and my goal is to work with their child along with the therapists to help each child develop their communication skills to the fullest extent while in my care.
The children in my class are predominantly non-verbal, so, one of our main goals is to teach them communication. We work with a program called MELD (Multisensory Early Language Development) which teaches communication methods using 88 core word vocabulary boards. The picture below is the board of core words we use daily. I print the individual words on cardstock and laminate them, so that the students can use the individual words to communicate. Each week I print the core words out of the books that we are reading for the students use the words to create shared writing sentences. The MELD board is in color for ease in identifying the different sections of the board. The colors divide up pronouns and family, questions and positional words, verbs, and body parts and emotions.

Children learn through play, and I have included several literacy toys for our centers that will further aid in communication development through play.
 

What will be done with my students

The objectives for each of the project activities is to teach communication skills to our students.
I create visuals for communication that we use throughout our entire day. We use the visuals for every activity in this classroom, they are listed below. I will create all of the visuals using a program called Chat Editor. The teachers using MELD will all use the materials I create to teach communication to their ESE students. The visuals are used all day long each day to communicate with the students.

The project activities are:

Shared Reading

A book is selected each week that is rich in core word vocabulary. Pictures are scanned and printed to allow the students to do story mapping and sequencing of first, next, and last events that occur in the book. Additionally, pictures of “Who” is in our story are printed and used to help develop higher order thinking. Each day when we read the story, the students match the core words that are printed and laminated onto our MELD board that are in the story that week.

Shared (predictable chart) Writing

Each week the students create a shared writing sentence. Using a sentence stem along with MELD core words, the student is able to select the words to make their own sentence. The students practice reading this each day and place the words in the correct order by the end of the week. Students take their sentences home with them at the end of the week, and the families can then continue working with their child at home to help them develop their communication skills.

I will create colored/laminated visuals that are used for non-instructional routines and activities in the classroom:

• transitions between activities
• small group table activities
• arrival/departure at cubbies (putting away
backpacks,getting ready to go home)
• restroom
• snack
• play time in centers

I will create colored/laminated visuals that are used for non-instructional routines and activities outside of the classroom

• walking to the cafeteria breakfast/lunch
• arrival/departure at car rider pick up or bus area
(looking for car, getting on bus)
• special events at school (programs, safety drills)
• field trips
• walking to therapy office
• outside play

I have also selected toys that will go in the literacy and play centers. We are a language rich environment in this classroom and communication through play is extremely important. I have selected toys that reinforce letter, shape, sorting, and counting skills.  

Benefits to my students

We currently have 16 students in the self-contained non-verbal class. The total number of children that will benefit from the use of color printed communication materials is 31 in our location.
Each teacher in our location has ESE students in their class, so a total of 10 teachers will also benefit from the use of the color printer, lamination materials, and literacy building toys.

The toys for the centers that I have included can be shared with all of the ESE teachers to benefit communication development in all of our students.

Students are given a MELD assessment in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. The assessment helps determine how many words the students have learned.  

Budget Narrative

Brother MFC-J995DW $291.57

Scotch Thermal Laminator, 2 Roller System for a Professional Finish, Use for Home, Office or School, Suitable for use with Photos (TL901X) $21.99

Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, 200-Pack, 8.9 x 11.4 Inches, Letter Size Sheets, Clear, 3-Mil (TP3854-200) $28.56

Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, 200-Pack, 8.9 x 11.4 Inches, Letter Size Sheets, Clear, 3-Mil (TP3854-200) $28.56

Dell RGCN6 Toner Cartridge B2360d/B2360dn/B3460dn/B3465dn/B3465dnf Laser Printers - Black $71.63

Dell RGCN6 Toner Cartridge B2360d/B2360dn/B3460dn/B3465dn/B3465dnf Laser Printers - Black $71.63

LC3033XXL LC3033 XXL Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Brother MFC-J995DW MFC-J995DW XL MFC-J815DW MFC-J805DW MFC-J805DWXL Printer,Miss Deer (2 Black, 2 Cyan, 2 Magenta, 2 Yellow) $49.99

LC3033XXL LC3033 XXL Compatible Ink Cartridges Replacement for Brother MFC-J995DW MFC-J995DW XL MFC-J815DW MFC-J805DW MFC-J805DWXL Printer,Miss Deer (2 Black, 2 Cyan, 2 Magenta, 2 Yellow) $49.99

Colorations Easy Knob Grip Stamper Geometric Shapes, STEM, Solid & Outline, 14 Stamps, 2 inches x 3 inches, Storytelling, Card Making, Decorating, Educational, Learning, Math, STEM, Pack of 14 (GEOSTAM) $24.30

Colorations Alphabet Number & Shape Easy to Hold Good Grasp Kids Stamping Sticks Set of 72, 1-1/2 inches W x 5-1/8 inches H each, 3/4 inches H, & Letter Recognition (Item # ALLSTICK) $113.32

Lsushine Craft Large Ink Pad Stamps Partner DIY Color,8 Colors Rainbow Finger Ink pad for Kids (Pack of 8) $21.99

Package of 200 Fall Acrylic Mini Leaves - Great Autumn Table Scatters $9.30

Think Fast Toys - Translucent Pegs on Clear Board for Toddlers - Teaches Early Color, Sorting, and Counting .Perfect for Home Schooling and at Home Education! $19.99

Excellerations STEM Translucent Light Blocks - Set of 100 in a Bin, STEM Toys for Boys and Girls, Kids Toys, Educational Toy $88.68

Constructive Playthings CHG-422 Light Table Letters & Numbers 38 pc. Set Featuring Lower Case Letters $39.56

Learning Resources Counting Cows Toy Set, Math Games for Kindergarten, Counting & Sorting Set, 20 Pieces $14.99

Learning Resources Peekaboo Learning Farm, Counting, Matching & Sorting Toy, Toddler Finger Puppet Toy, 10 Piece Set $16.99

Learning Resources Snap-n-Learn Alphabet Alligators, Fine Motor Toy, 26 Double-Sided Pieces $14.98

Learning Resources Counting Cows Toy Set, Math Games for Kindergarten, Counting & Sorting Set $14.00












 

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