Teacher: Karen Kolibaba

School: Red Hill Elementary

Website: eagleschools.net

Address: 100 Grundel Way, PO Box 1009, Gypsum, CO 81637

Grade Level: Special Education K-5

Region: Central Mountains

Project Title: Digiblocks Build Base-10 Sense

Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)

Funding Amount Requested: $1,730

Project Description:
Students with learning disabilities struggle to understand why 10 ones make 1 ten. The DigiBlocks tool, with the place counter, allows students to place the ones into a holder. When 10 ones fill the holder, it pops out of the place counter. This provides a tactile and visual way to teach students why they cannot have 10 in the ones place and helps them understand the concept of "carrying over" to the next place value. These tools will help many students who struggle with understanding base-10 concepts.

Photos:
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Impact:
Our special education team serves between 35 and 40 students in kindergarten through fifth grade with learning disabilities. Our school is about 60% Hispanic, and 40% of our students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Many of our students are also native Spanish speakers and come from low socio-economic backgrounds. This project will allow us to provide these students with a critical learning tool that can help make abstract mathematical concepts more tangible and easier to understand, which is particularly important for students who struggle with math.

Use of Funds:
- 4 Place Counters: $85 each, total $340
- 4 Block Sets of 1000: $320 each, total $1,280
- Comprehensive Teacher Guides: $36 each, total $108
Total (before taxes and shipping): $1,728