My students need 12 different sensory objects, such as squish balls, sound CDs, sand, play dough, and weights to help them be a part of my class.
FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Z.'s classroom raised $272
This project is fully funded
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
Imagine yourself as a student in a second grade classroom. All the children are lining up for lunch and you feel this urgent need to just crash straight into the door. Or perhaps the teacher is reading a book, and you just can’t pay attention because the fluorescent light is buzzing lightly. Or maybe the teacher is asking you a question, but you can’t answer it because the carpet that you are sitting on is so scratchy that it’s painful for you. It’s hard to imagine what children with sensory integration difficulties go through each day in the classroom, but one thing is for sure: we, as teachers, can help them.
I am a teacher in a special education bilingual classroom for students in first-third grades. My students with moderate to severe mental retardation are faced with various challenges. One of the most difficult challenges is the presence of sensory integration dysfunction. Sensory integration dysfunction means that the children have difficulties processing the information received from their senses. For some of my students, a buzzing light sounds as if a bulldozer is knocking down the wall next to them. For others, crashing into the door, smashing their hands on their desks, and biting themselves doesn’t even cause pain- it’s simply a way to organize themselves and be able to sit like the rest of the class. For some students, rubbing their hair, waving a pencil in front of their eyes, or fidgeting with some toys are necessary for them in order to pay attention.
Sensory dysfunction overpowers the child’s ability to function in the classroom. But we can help! There are many activities that can be done in order to enable the children to overcome these sensory difficulties. Some activities include playing sounds over and over to get the children accustomed to loud noises, giving the children biting toys instead of allowing them to bite themselves, or playing with special sand or squishy balls to calm them down. These activities are vital in helping the children function in the classroom.
I would love to have different sensory activities throughout the day, but I lack the supplies to do so. My spending allowance as a teacher was cut this year due to budget cuts citywide, so I lack the ability to purchase these small, but basic supplies on my own. Your help will provide what my students need to be able to sit through class, walk on line, and participate in all activities. Please help me give them a chance to experience first, second, or third grade, just like you and I did when we were students.
This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Z. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
