I’m am a paraprofessional in a class for children with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. I work with a special education teacher and another para. Our 7 students span from Kindergarten to fifth grade. Their diagnoses range from Cerebral Palsy to brain damage caused by Cerebral Malaria. Their abilities and needs are as varied as their conditions. Unlike a typical classroom, each of our 7 students have a completely different ability and curriculum. Engaging and motivating our class can be a challenge. They really benefit from tactile and sensory learning. Providing the materials can get extremely expensive. The vast majority of the cost of supplies comes out of our pockets. But it’s so important! A pencil and paper, lecture-based approach does not work for them. However, hiding vocabulary words in a container of water beads results in them expanding their ability to communicate. Filling the room with fairy lights helps them calm down, allowing them to be prepared to learn. Our limited budget hinders our access to very beneficial tools. Any help will make a huge difference in our students lives. And that difference can improve their quality of life for years to come.
My Project
Children's moods are strongly affected by lighting: for some it provides a calming, soothing effect and for others it acts as a stimulant. Harsh lighting can often hurt the eyes of a person with special needs. Flickering, humming lights can be very distracting and sometimes painful. Certain light levels and colors can be beneficial and the ability to control visual stimuli within the space is important.
Adjustable lighting will allow us to customize the lighting for a particular task.
Dynamic and colorful lighting can be a great sensory activity. Lighting changes will aid in transitions between activities. Dim lighting can calm an agitated student. The ability to better manipulate the environment would allow us to focus on learning and reduce some of the behavioral challenges that occur in a special education classroom.
E26 Timer LED Color Changing Light Bulb with Remote Control, RGBW (RGB + Warm White),20 Watt Equivalent, Memory - Sync - Dimmable, 3W Mood Light, MELP (e26 RGB Bulb+ 4 Packs)
• Amazon Business
$17.49
3
$52.47
Light Accents Medusa Grey Floor Lamp with White Acrylic Shades
• Amazon Business
$44.45
1
$44.45
Juhefa Window Curtain Lights 300 LED,USB Powered Fairy String Lights with Remote, IP64 Waterproof & 8 Settings Twinkle Lights for Bedroom Parties,Weddings,Wall Decorations (9.8x9.8Ft Multi-Color)
• Amazon Business
$19.99
2
$39.98
LE 12V LED Strip Light Kit, 150 Units SMD 5050, 16.4ft Ribbon Light Kit with Remote Controller, for Home, Kitchen, Bedroom, Under Cabinet and More, Power Adapter Included, RGB
• Amazon Business
$16.98
2
$33.96
FOOING 4 Pack 120 LED Firework Copper Lights,8 Modes Dimmable String Fairy Lights with Remote Control, Hanging Starburst Lights for Parties,Home,Christmas Outdoor Decoration
• Amazon Business
Century Wireless Remote Control Electrical Outlet Switch (5 Outlets 2 Remotes, Indoor, White)
• Amazon Business
$27.29
1
$27.29
Projectables Space Nebula LED Night Light with Atmospheric Motion Effects, 12355, Multi
• Amazon Business
$9.50
2
$19.00
Cable Matters 2-Pack 16 AWG 2 Prong Extension Cord (3 Outlet Extension Cord) with Tamper Guard White in 6 Feet - Available 6FT - 25FT
• Amazon Business
$8.99
2
$17.98
AmazonBasics AA Performance Alkaline Batteries (48 Count) - Packaging May Vary
• Amazon Business
$12.49
1
$12.49
GE Designer Cord Pro Designer Extension Cord with Surge Protection Gray/White (38433)
• Amazon Business
$9.98
1
$9.98
YOKERSU Wall Charger, Dual USB Fast Travel Charger 2.1Amp 2-Pack Adapter Power Plug Cube High Speed Charging Compatible with Samsung/Galaxy/Note/HTC/Moto/Nexus/iPhone/iPad/LG/ZTE/HTC/Android Phone
• Amazon Business
$7.99
1
$7.99
Zitrades 10PCS LED 5050 RGB Strip Light Connector 4 Conductor 10 mm Wide Strip to Strip Jumper
• Amazon Business
$7.59
1
$7.59
L shape 4 Pins Connector 10-pack JACKYLED 10mm Right Angle Corner Solderless Connector 12V 72W Clip for 3528/5050 SMD RGB Fireproof Material 4 conductor LED Strip Lights Strip to Strip (22Pcs Clips)
• Amazon Business
$6.45
1
$6.45
Materials cost
$337.44
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$23.28
3rd party payment processing fee
$5.06
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$395.78
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$69.84
Total project goal
$465.62
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$465.62
3 Donors
-$337.00
Donations toward project cost
-$301.45
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$35.55
match offer
-$110.98
Match offer toward project cost
-$94.33
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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 Ms. White and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
