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Goal

To teach nonverbal developmentally delayed children communication skills. 

What will be done with my students

My classroom is a self-contained special education preschool classroom. My students are mostly nonverbal, developmentally delayed and most often are on the autism spectrum.

Our goal in our classroom is to teach these students how to communicate either verbally or by using visuals. Communication is a basic human right. When a child has the ability to communicate, frustrations decrease, unwanted behaviors decrease, and real learning is able to take place.
Teaching these students critically needed communication skills benefits them and prepares them for their further educational career. Equally as important is the benefit and impact on the student’s families who often struggle with helping their child learn communication skills. We teach these students the skills needed for kindergarten, we like to say that we are teaching them "how to do school"!

It is often said that play is the work of children. Through meaningful and intentional play, real learning is able to occur. Activities that take place in our classroom include:

• Interactive play
• Use of visual supports
• Learning through play
• Sensory play
• Free play
• Play based phonic tools
• Tactile play
• Reading colorfully illustrated rhyming books
• Movement and learning through songs and music

Our classroom would benefit by being able to purchase items to be used in these activities. This educational play will be lead by myself and my paraprofessional classroom aide. We will both facilitate the abovementioned activities in both small and large group activities. These activities take place throughout our school day from the moment the students enter the classroom until it is time for them to go home. My classroom and our daily schedule is set up to specifically meet the needs of the students in my classroom.
We print and use visuals for every activity we do from reading stories to communicating our daily schedule to transitioning between activities. We incorporate play throughout the school day that is educational, and also very fun!

There are four self-contained Exceptional Student classrooms at our school, each classroom has on average six students, one teacher and one paraprofessional. The four self-contained ESE classrooms interact with each other daily, so, this grant would benefit approximately 30 students this year and eight teachers/paraprofessionals. Our population changes throughout the year as students with developmental delays become old enough to attend our school.
 

Benefits to my students

Project’s Outcomes:
The primary outcome of this project is to teach nonverbal children improved communication skills that will help them communicate effectively. Additionally, enhanced communication skills will hopefully decrease unwanted behaviors in my students.

Project’s Outputs:
Each of my students has an Individualized Education Plan with goals for the year. I take data on a daily basis regarding the behavior and goal progress of each student. I will be able to assess the effectiveness of the activities by studying the data taken toward each of their goals. Additionally, my students now take the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) Star Early Literacy assessment. I will be able to assess their growth after they take the FAST STAR test at the end of the school year.
This grant will help provide materials for our classroom that will affect not only my six current students, but all 40 ESE students at our school this year, and many more students that are placed in my classroom for years to come. Our student population in Walton county continues to grow, so, this grant will provide educational benefits for many more years.
 

Budget Narrative

Epson Expression ET-2700 EcoTank Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer with Scanner and Copier, Large Amazon $199.99

Monläurd® Caterpillar Montessori Busy Board, Sensory Board, Educational
Amazon $159.99

VIZ-PRO Notice Board Felt Blue, 36 X 24 Inches, Silver Aluminium Frame
Amazon $32.90

Joyin 44 Pieces Play Dough Accessories Set for Kids, Playdough Tools with Various Plastic Molds, Rolling Pins, Cutters
Amazon $18.99

TOP BRIGHT Car Ramp Toys , Race Track Car Toy for Toddler Age 2-4 Year Old Boy with 4 Car, Parking Lot & Gas Station
Amazon $25.99


Little Folk Visuals Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? by Eric Carle - Felt Learning Toy Set, Precut Felt Board Figures for Kids and Toddlers, 11 Piece Set
Amazon 21.94

KidKraft Colorful Wooden Grocery Store Marketplace Toy - Multi Colored, Extra Storage, Chalkboard, for Multiple Children, Gift for Ages 3+, Amazon Exclusive
Amazon $83.93

VConejo Color Dough Toys Dinosaur World Dough Set Creations Tools for Kid 2-4-8 Years with Animals
Amazon $12.98


Drink and Wet Potty Training Baby Doll posable Dolls with Pacifier, Bottle, and Diapers - Helps Toilet Training for Kids (Hispanic)
Amazon $25.99

Real-Working Cash Register
Item # PP723
Lakeshore Learning $39.99

Kid-Sized Safety Goggles - Set of 6
Item # FS383
Lakeshore Learning $29.99


Turn & Learn Magnetic Gears
Item # DD939
Lakeshore $34.99

Snap-Dinos
Item # PP924
Lakeshore $49.99


Go Away, Big Green Monster! Storytelling Puppet Kit
Item # RR534
Lakeshore $24.99


Lakeshore Counting Cones
Item # DD561 Lakeshore $39.99

Translucent Sensory Rings
Item # LL540
Lakeshore $69.99


See-Inside Bucket Balance
Item # BA109
Lakeshore $24.99


Look & Discover First Science Set
Item # FA705
Lakeshore $69.99


What’s the Sound? Mystery Capsules
Item # HH506
Lakeshore $32.99


Total $1000.60
 

Items