Help me give my students individualized pencil boxes I can fill with markers, pencils and paint sets, sketchpads, and books for helping them cope with difficult emotions and learn to stay safe.
I teach visual arts in a public school for children with special needs, preK- 8th grade in New York City. My students have developmental delays, autism, emotional disturbance, cognitive and processing delays. Many of them deal with the stress of foster care, uncertain housing or homelessness. Because of complicated factors many of these kids fall through the cracks and since the time of Covid-19 I fear their needs will be unmet.
When schools transitioned to remote learning last March, I was left scrambling to support students with a vast array of disabilities and who did not, in many cases, have paper or pencil let alone crayons and markers in their homes.
I found success in reading books aloud, showing short videos, and talking them through art projects. It was apparent that many of them need a creative outlet to deal with the stress of the situations they found themselves in. The healing properties of art making have proven to help students deal with stress, express themselves, build self esteem, and foster independence.
My Project
As we head into uncertain territory in the 2020 school year, my student that will be coming to school soon may have to retreat into quarantine at a moment's notice should two or more people in the school test positive for Covid-19. I want each child to have their own set of art supplies to avoid spreading germs while at school and so that they can take these items with them if we have to shut down again.
The stress of broken routines and daily uncertainty and the isolation from their peer group has taken a huge toll on my students with disabilities.
I'm hoping to use picture books as foundations for art projects that will strengthen my students resolve, help them understand their emotions in order to self regulate. Giving these kids tools to express their feelings and ideas will support their learning in all areas so they do not fall further behind in their studies and help them grow as individuals.
Don't Let the Pigeon Finish This Activity Book! (Pigeon series) (Pigeon (8))
• Amazon Business
$15.96
1
$15.96
Help Your Dragon Cope with Trauma: A Cute Children Story to Help Kids Understand and Overcome Traumatic Events. (My Dragon Books)
• Amazon Business
$12.95
1
$12.95
Teach Your Dragon Good Hygiene: Help Your Dragon Start Healthy Hygiene Habits. A Cute Children Story To Teach Kids Why Good Hygiene Is Important Socially and Emotionally. (My Dragon Books)
• Amazon Business
$12.95
1
$12.95
Train Your Angry Dragon: A Cute Children Story To Teach Kids About Emotions and Anger Management (My Dragon Books)
• Amazon Business
$12.95
1
$12.95
Help Your Dragon Deal With Anxiety: Train Your Dragon To Overcome Anxiety. A Cute Children Story To Teach Kids How To Deal With Anxiety, Worry And Fear. (My Dragon Books)
• Amazon Business
$12.95
1
$12.95
Teach Your Dragon Empathy: Help Your Dragon Understand Empathy. A Cute Children Story To Teach Kids Empathy, Compassion and Kindness. (My Dragon Books)
• Amazon Business
$12.95
1
$12.95
Dragon’s Mask: A Cute Children’s Story to Teach Kids the Importance of Wearing Masks to Help Prevent the Spread of Germs and Viruses. (My Dragon Books)
• Amazon Business
$12.56
1
$12.56
Me: A Compendium: A Fill-in Journal for Kids (Wee Society)
• Amazon Business
$12.27
1
$12.27
The Mindful Dragon: A Dragon Book about Mindfulness. Teach Your Dragon To Be Mindful. A Cute Children Story to Teach Kids about Mindfulness, Focus and Peace. (My Dragon Books)
• Amazon Business
$11.69
1
$11.69
Virtual Learning Dragon: A Story About Distance Learning to Help Kids Learn Online. (My Dragon Books)
• Amazon Business
$11.68
1
$11.68
The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions
• Amazon Business
$10.20
1
$10.20
RAINBOW OF EMOTIONS
• Amazon Business
$7.99
1
$7.99
Feelings Coloring Book for Kids: Social Emotional Learning Mandala Words Book 1 (TEACH SEL)
• Amazon Business
$7.97
1
$7.97
Materials cost
$871.60
Vendor shipping charges
$69.16
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$13.07
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$983.83
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$173.62
Total project goal
$1,157.45
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$1,157.45
13 Donors
-$752.98
Donations toward project cost
-$650.23
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$102.75
Matching donations from our partners
-$392.48
Match offers toward project cost
-$333.61
Match offers 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. Gearhart and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.