You're on track to get doubled donations (and unlock a reward for the colleague who referred you). Keep up the great work!
Take credit for your charitable giving! Check out your tax receipts
Donate
To use your $50 gift card credits, find a project to fund and we'll automatically apply your credits at checkout. Find a classroom project
Menu
Skip to main content

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Your school email address was successfully verified.

Edit classroom photo

Ms. Lotito’s Classroom Edit display name

  • PS R373
  • Staten Island, NY
  • More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households

https://www.donorschoose.org/classroom/5229369 Customize URL

View your stats
Track donations »
Edit
Many of my students have limited exposure to the outside world because they are hyper-sensitive to unfamiliar settings. They need activities that stimulate their senses. We are so excited that we have the space needed to build a sensory garden at our school. A sensory garden stimulates all senses: sight, touch, taste, and sound, through the use of different plants and materials. This garden will allow my students to explore their senses in a safe and stimulating environment. It will help my students explore their senses without feeling overwhelmed by them. As an educator, it is my responsibility to address all the needs of my students. The sensory garden will enable me and my fellow colleagues to do just that. Sensory play is essential in developing confident, successful learners. Playing at a sand table will help students develop their sensitivity of touch - is the sand warm or cool, wet or dry, rough or smooth, hard or soft, textured or slimy? Play will become the way in which they learn how to integrate sensory information and make sense of it. Sand play will also stimulate their physical development. Large motor skills will develop as students dig, pour, sift, scoop, and clean up spills. Eye-hand coordination and fine motor control will improve as students learn to handle sand tools. Sand play will also promote social skills. When the students play together at the sand table they have to share and compromise. The sensory garden will provide a calming space for students to play outdoors. Distracting activities, such as the jumbo, oversized game will help my students overcome their hyper-sensitivity to their surroundings. Giving my students a choice of activities and different areas to explore, will give them a sense of control and a feeling of empowerment and self confidence.

About my class

Many of my students have limited exposure to the outside world because they are hyper-sensitive to unfamiliar settings. They need activities that stimulate their senses. We are so excited that we have the space needed to build a sensory garden at our school. A sensory garden stimulates all senses: sight, touch, taste, and sound, through the use of different plants and materials. This garden will allow my students to explore their senses in a safe and stimulating environment. It will help my students explore their senses without feeling overwhelmed by them. As an educator, it is my responsibility to address all the needs of my students. The sensory garden will enable me and my fellow colleagues to do just that. Sensory play is essential in developing confident, successful learners. Playing at a sand table will help students develop their sensitivity of touch - is the sand warm or cool, wet or dry, rough or smooth, hard or soft, textured or slimy? Play will become the way in which they learn how to integrate sensory information and make sense of it. Sand play will also stimulate their physical development. Large motor skills will develop as students dig, pour, sift, scoop, and clean up spills. Eye-hand coordination and fine motor control will improve as students learn to handle sand tools. Sand play will also promote social skills. When the students play together at the sand table they have to share and compromise. The sensory garden will provide a calming space for students to play outdoors. Distracting activities, such as the jumbo, oversized game will help my students overcome their hyper-sensitivity to their surroundings. Giving my students a choice of activities and different areas to explore, will give them a sense of control and a feeling of empowerment and self confidence.

Read more

About my class

Read more
{"followTeacherId":5229369,"teacherId":5229369,"teacherName":"Ms. Lotito","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/136/teacher-placeholder-5_136.png","teacherHasProfilePhoto":false,"vanityURL":"","teacherChallengeId":21150557,"followAbout":"Ms. Lotito's projects","teacherVerify":-2076687417,"teacherNameEncoded":"Ms. Lotito","vanityType":"teacher","teacherPageInfo":{"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"teacherHasClassroomDescription":true,"teacherClassroomDescription":"","teacherProfileURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/classroom/5229369","tafURL":"https://secure.donorschoose.org/donors/share_teacher_profile.html?teacher=5229369","stats":{"numActiveProjects":0,"numFundedProjects":2,"numSupporters":32},"classroomPhotoPendingScreening":false,"showEssentialsListCard":false}}
Supporting teachers and students since 2000

DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. Public school teachers from every corner of America create classroom project requests, and you can give any amount to the project that inspires you.

We've earned the highest possible ratings from Better Business Bureau, Charity Watch, Charity Navigator, and Guidestar.