A First Time Teacher overcomes obstacle...courses? Part I
The cost of equipment for an obstacle course is $1109, including shipping and <a target="new" href="http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm" onclick="g_openWindow('http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm', 300, 800, 'fulfillwindow');return false;">fulfillment</a>.
This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
This is my first year teaching and it has been an incredible experience. People say that you will always remember your first batch of students and that couldn't be more true.
I currently teach a special education preschool classroom with the most rambunctious and hilarious students that any teacher will ever meet.
One hurdle I have found in teaching within San Francisco Unified School District is the location of my preschool. While I do have a HUGE classroom, it is located in one of the worst neighborhoods in the city. I have tried to set up my classroom to be as nurturing and safe as possible amidst the chaos that is outside of it. Unfortunately, budget constraints have forced me to use a percetange of my personal paycheck each week to purchase school supplies and resources for the classroom.
My first task, of many that I am sure I will undertake over my teaching career, is to add variety to the gross motor activities in the gym.
Gross motor activity is a critical part of any child's early physical development. It entails the use of large muscles for participating in athletic events and accomplishing a range of other activities.Gross motor skills are necessary to help children make sense of incoming information and respond quickly with the appropriate and accurate bodily movement.
In order to build & enhance these skills, each week, my students participate in "home-built" obstacle course. "My gym" if you wiil.
The daily obstacle course has become a highlight of my students day. Beyond their enthusiasm and the obvious health benefits, it has also been shown that gross motor activity stimulates the children's vestibular system, enhancing their ability to understand and retain information (make them better more attentive learners). (This is also why I tend to start the day with the obstacle course activity)
While I have purchased some used equipment through an online occupational/physical therapy store with the small budget allotted by the school district, I know my students could benefit from a few additional pieces.
I am hoping to purchase some specialized swings (which stimulates the vestibular and proprioceptive system and helps children with Sensory Intergration Disorder), a see-saw (a great proprioceptive activity), a wagon, a sandbox (sensory activities), some therapy balls, occupational therapy materials, and a climbing toy to bring into our gym.
Overall, I have found that this gross motor group time has really benefited my children in helping them to sustain attention. All my children will benefit from this.
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 Mrs. Cristobal-Rodriguez and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
