Hi All!
In less than 2 short weeks I will start my second year of teaching in a NYC Public School! This last year has been an absolute whirlwind of events and emotions between jumping into a 5th grade ICT (integrated co-teaching) classroom mid-year and completing my masters degree. I had a blast and cannot wait to start teaching again, this year in 2nd grade!
A little bit about my program and school:
I teach at PS 191, a public school on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. My school is a Title 1 school, which means that the majority of students are coming from low-income families. Each and every one of my students are exceptional in their own way and they deserve the opportunity to receive an amazing education just like we all have.
ICT: this means I will teach all subjects with a co-teacher to best support all students, those with disabilities and those without, in the least restrictive environment. Because of my student’s abilities, many students require individualized materials and support in order to target their specific educational goals. With the proper materials, environment, support and teachers, these students are able to achieve to their greatest potential - so lets give them the opportunity to do so!
My classrooms needs:
My first year of teaching has prepared me in multiple different ways for the year to come; I now know what my students' biggest needs are. Unfortunately, with the recent budget cuts, the school is unable to provide all of the resources necessary to set up a warm and welcoming classroom community.
Donations will be used to buy classroom furniture and organizers to help set up our classroom to be developmentally appropriate and assessable to our 2nd graders. A huge part of 2nd grade is building independence, and we need to be sure we have the shelves, drawers, and bins necessary to have our materials ready and available for the students to do so!
Donations will also be used to ensure that our classroom is as inviting and warm as possible. We are looking to set up a cozy corner where students can go to take a break when they feel necessary, calm down, and regulate their emotions. Along with our cozy corner, we are looking to build a classroom library that does not only have books but comfortable and flexible seating options to allow students to read and work in the way that is most appropriate for them.
Lastly, donations will be used for a variety of educational games and supplies. A lot of my students are visual and tactile learners—they learn by touching and manipulating objects. Additionally, play in an essential part of early childhood education. These educational games will not only enhance the curriculum, but also provide students with important skills on working together, playing appropriately, and using their creativity and imagination.
Any extra money will be used for read alouds for social justice. These young and curious students have a strong sense of what is right and wrong, and we have deep and critical discussions about big ideas we encounter in fictional stories, studies of historical events, and our daily school life together. We need vivid, frank, and age-appropriate picture books about racial justice, gender equality, environmentalism, labor, immigration, human rights, and stories of historically oppressed peoples including Native Americans, Black Americans, immigrants, and the LGBTQ+ community for interactive read aloud and discussions.
A small donation can help provide my students with all the tools they need to become incredible individuals!
Thank You!!
Ms. Erica, Ms. Qureshi & the amazing 2nd graders
In less than 2 short weeks I will start my second year of teaching in a NYC Public School! This last year has been an absolute whirlwind of events and emotions between jumping into a 5th grade ICT (integrated co-teaching) classroom mid-year and completing my masters degree. I had a blast and cannot wait to start teaching again, this year in 2nd grade!
A little bit about my program and school:
I teach at PS 191, a public school on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. My school is a Title 1 school, which means that the majority of students are coming from low-income families. Each and every one of my students are exceptional in their own way and they deserve the opportunity to receive an amazing education just like we all have.
ICT: this means I will teach all subjects with a co-teacher to best support all students, those with disabilities and those without, in the least restrictive environment. Because of my student’s abilities, many students require individualized materials and support in order to target their specific educational goals. With the proper materials, environment, support and teachers, these students are able to achieve to their greatest potential - so lets give them the opportunity to do so!
My classrooms needs:
My first year of teaching has prepared me in multiple different ways for the year to come; I now know what my students' biggest needs are. Unfortunately, with the recent budget cuts, the school is unable to provide all of the resources necessary to set up a warm and welcoming classroom community.
Donations will be used to buy classroom furniture and organizers to help set up our classroom to be developmentally appropriate and assessable to our 2nd graders. A huge part of 2nd grade is building independence, and we need to be sure we have the shelves, drawers, and bins necessary to have our materials ready and available for the students to do so!
Donations will also be used to ensure that our classroom is as inviting and warm as possible. We are looking to set up a cozy corner where students can go to take a break when they feel necessary, calm down, and regulate their emotions. Along with our cozy corner, we are looking to build a classroom library that does not only have books but comfortable and flexible seating options to allow students to read and work in the way that is most appropriate for them.
Lastly, donations will be used for a variety of educational games and supplies. A lot of my students are visual and tactile learners—they learn by touching and manipulating objects. Additionally, play in an essential part of early childhood education. These educational games will not only enhance the curriculum, but also provide students with important skills on working together, playing appropriately, and using their creativity and imagination.
Any extra money will be used for read alouds for social justice. These young and curious students have a strong sense of what is right and wrong, and we have deep and critical discussions about big ideas we encounter in fictional stories, studies of historical events, and our daily school life together. We need vivid, frank, and age-appropriate picture books about racial justice, gender equality, environmentalism, labor, immigration, human rights, and stories of historically oppressed peoples including Native Americans, Black Americans, immigrants, and the LGBTQ+ community for interactive read aloud and discussions.
A small donation can help provide my students with all the tools they need to become incredible individuals!
Thank You!!
Ms. Erica, Ms. Qureshi & the amazing 2nd graders