Completed:Avoid the Void! Something to Do During Down Time!
"My classroom is a high school class for learners with multiple or severe special needs. The six students in the class come from a number of communities and attend a public high school for a change to interact with typical peers.
All but one of the students in my class are wheelchair users and re...
"
MORE
"My classroom is a high school class for learners with multiple or severe special needs. The six students in the class come from a number of communities and attend a public high school for a change to interact with typical peers.
All but one of the students in my class are wheelchair users and require some time out of their wheelchairs everyday. This time is spent lying on a mat table or bed to stretch out and prevent skin problems. My students love to be engaged in activities, but it is hard to find things for them to do while they are stretching out lying down. This stretch time can become a void in the day where positioning prevents meaningful activity.
My students need a Space projector and spare wheel, a Dancing helix mobile, Acti-tunnel and hanging accessories, Lumnidisk light, an unbreakable mirror and a fiber optic starlight. My plan to "Avoid the Void" for my students is to create two interactive sensory areas which the students can control while positioned out of their wheelchairs. We already have the assistive technology like adaptive switches and power interrupters to help with this, but we lack fun and engaging sensory activities.
You donation would give us an Acti Tunnel which is a see through tunnel students can lie in a reach for objects hanging in it, while allowing staff to monitor them. It would give us a long, unbreakable mirror to mount alongside the bed for students to look into (mirrors are a favorite activity in my room) and it would give us several different lights and lamps students could control with switches or that will move to the music we play in the room. You can help my students "Avoid the Void" of down time giving me the tools to create interactive environments for them to spent time in.
My students need a space projector and spare wheel, a dancing helix mobile, acti-tunnel and hanging accessories, a lumnidisk light, an unbreakable mirror and a fiber optic starlight.
Thank you all so much for your generous contributions to our project! Avoid the Void brought so many wonderful sensory items into our classroom!
Just today we used at least three items you gave to us. The Mathmos Projector is aimed onto the ceiling over the bed where two students in our class take a break from sitting in their wheelchairs. Currently we have the "I Love NY" projector disc in it and the students love to watch the images pass over head. The fiber optic lamp is delightful to see, touch and listen to! It glows in time to the music and plays soothing sounds. One student chooses it as a reward and likes to sit and listen to the sound of crickets chirping! Finally the bolster is a comfortable sensory addition to our positioning area. We use it to keep students from bumping into the cold metal rails of the bed or to make them more comfortable with their legs up while positioning out of their wheelchairs.
Gifts like yours make what can be a boring experience, being out of your wheelchair and lying down, unable to participate as you would like, into a sensory experience.
Thanks so much!
With gratitude, Ms. A.
Ms. A. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Thank you so much for you donation to our project. With these items we can create a way for each student to meaningfully engage with sensory activities during "down time" in the classroom.
Sensory areas have been shown to increase engagement and student's internal locus of control while decreasing tension and anxiety. At the same time we will be eliminating the time that my students used to spent just "resting" while they are out of their wheelchairs. Now that time can be spend looking, listening and interacting!
"Thank you so much Barbara and Cheryl. This means so much to my students and I.
Kate"
The teacher Ms. A.
on Oct 20, 2009
"Thank you Ashleigh and Caiti. My students will benefit from your gift."
The teacher Ms. A.
on Oct 20, 2009
"I donated because this project is incredibly worthwhile! I'm so pleased to be able to join in helping. My donation honors the talented painted_birdie. :)"
Amber
from Chapel Hill, NC
gave
in support of ONTD_AI
on Oct 22, 2009
"This project really moved me. I hope that funding it will help bring joy and fun to these kids!"
Laurie
from Texas
gave
in support of ONTD_AI
on Oct 22, 2009
"I helped because I'm a strong believer in Special Needs education."
Julia
from Tallahassee, FL
gave
in support of ONTD_AI
on Oct 22, 2009
"I gave in response to Adam Lambert's request that his fans give to charity rather than give him gifts. "
Taliesin_Girl
from West Hollywood, CA
gave
in support of ONTD_AI
on Oct 27, 2009
"Amber, Laurie, Julia and Taliesin_Girl - you are my idols. Thanks so much for helping to bring my what I need for my students!"
The teacher Ms. A.
on Oct 27, 2009
"For ONTD_AI and for Esmie and Ashleigh (good luck ladies)."
Maria
from Florida
gave
in support of ONTD_AI
on Nov 6, 2009
Email
Facebook
Twitter
Rebecca U. (volunteer)
on Sep 23, 2009
