We are now a school-wide Title 1 school, which indicates our population has fallen into a predominantly low-socioeconomic status. Our school is a 100% free lunch. Our students are faced with many challenges both at school and at home. Although, we are within a 20 minute drive from Bowling Green, KY, we have many students who are not able to be exposed to the opportunities, resources and/or entertainment that a large city provides.
Despite the challenges our students face, they are eager and excited about school and learning each day.
We continue to strive to meet those needs by bringing learning opportunities and social/emotional supports into our building. Our students are increasingly in need of learning ways to calm themselves because of anxiety and sensory challenges. It is my desire to create a safe space with various calming and sensory items to help children learn to relax, calm themselves, and become more in tune to their emotions, which will translate into increased success throughout their lives daily.
My Project
Students sensory and calming needs are increasing rapidly and can have a negative impact on their ability to learn. Calming and sensory tools are intended to promote regulation, improve focus, increase participation, and therefore enable children to get their social and emotional needs met and make learning easier. Each child is unique and different in their specific needs. The variety of tools that I am seeking for my students will allow me to meet individual needs as they arise each day. I have requested items to meet the sensory elements of movement, fidgets, seating, and weight. Swings provide movement to filter out extraneous sensory information. Movement helps to calm, regulated, organize and orient the nervous system. Fidgets encourage kids to move (without disturbing others). Using putty, desk fidgets, foot fidgets or gel tools can encourage kids to move their hands. With seating options I can meet the needs of students needing different options for movement. Using a weighted lap pad can send a calming signal to the nervous system.
My number one desire is to provide an space in my office for a calm, relaxing, and sensory appropriate space for students to regulate, improve focus, increase participation, and therefore get their social and emotional needs met and make learning easier.
The products that I have selected will do just that, as well as, allow for some use within the regular classroom. I have seen the positive benefits tools such as these can have on meeting students social and emotional needs.
Huggaroo Weighted Lap Pad: 100% Washable Stuffed Animal Sensory Toy for Children with Sensory Needs Such as Autism, Stress Relief, ADHD, Anxiety Relief; Weighted Blanket Alternative
• Amazon Business
$45.99
1
$45.99
Driftsun Hammock Pod Kids Swing/Outdoor and Indoor Children's Hammock Chair Nook Sensory Seat - Hardware Included (Blue)
• Amazon Business
$39.99
1
$39.99
Educational Insights 1232 Patterned Fluorescent Light Filters—2-Pack
• Amazon Business
$18.96
2
$37.92
Crazy Aaron's 11 Pack Putty Mini Tin Assortment.
• Amazon Business
$36.21
1
$36.21
Harlerbo Magnetic Building Blocks 64 pcs Magnets Tiles Toy Stacking Blocks STEM Toys Set for kids
• Amazon Business
$24.99
1
$24.99
UWANTME Water Beads Pack (50000 Beads) Rainbow Mix Jelly Water Growing Balls for Kids Tactile Sensory Toys, Vases, Plants, Wedding and Home Decoration
• Amazon Business
$10.99
2
$21.98
Haywire Group 1010 Worry Eaters Saggo, Large
• Amazon Business
$21.86
1
$21.86
Jalousie 24 PCs Sensory Toy Fidget Stress Relief Toy for Adults and Kids - Conform to ASTM Toy Standard Value Bundle - Include Squeeze Balls Stretchy Strings Squishy Toy Puzzle Rubber Stringy Ball
• Amazon Business
MARATHON Swing Hanger - Heavy duty hanger with Ball Bearing Technology up to 60 min continuous moving
• Amazon Business
$19.95
1
$19.95
Mad Mattr Super-Soft Modelling Dough Compound that Never Dries Out, 10 Ounces, Red
• Amazon Business
$17.99
1
$17.99
8 oz Plastic Bottles, 6 Empty Clear Bottles, White Caps
• Amazon Business
$16.85
1
$16.85
Play-Doh Modeling Compound 10-Pack Case of Colors, Non-Toxic, Assorted Colors, 2-Ounce Cans, Ages 2 and up, (Amazon Exclusive)
• Amazon Business
$7.99
2
$15.98
Warm Fuzzy Toys Art-In-Motion Sand Picture Varies
• Amazon Business
$15.17
1
$15.17
Vkey 1000pcs (500 Pair Sets) 20mm Diameter Sticky Back Coins Hook & Loop Self Adhesive Dots Tapes White-Delivery by FBA
• Amazon Business
$13.99
1
$13.99
Sakolla (5 Count) Natural Latex Stretch Foot Bands Workout ADHD ADD SPD Autism Sensory Needs & Stretch Foot Band for Chairs by Solace Helps Improve Focus in The Classroom Rehab or Physical Therapy
• Amazon Business
$11.99
1
$11.99
Play Visions Spiky Glove (Colors Vary)
• Amazon Business
$10.53
1
$10.53
Hematite Magnetic Sticky Stones 12 Tumbled Polished Magnets For Kids, Refrigerator Or Neat Party Gift by Mag Man
• Amazon Business
$9.95
1
$9.95
Fun Filled Summer Super Miracle Bubble Makers Party Activity, Assorted Colors, Plastic , 4 Ounces, Pack of 6
• Amazon Business
$9.67
1
$9.67
Curious Minds Busy Bags Lot of 6 Nuts and Bolts Spinning Pencil Topper - Fidget for Students, Adults and Children Office
• Amazon Business
$8.99
1
$8.99
Fun Express Bright Polka Dots Pinwheels Set (3 Dozen)
• Amazon Business
$8.85
1
$8.85
ELMERS 2024691 Elmer's Liquid School Glue, Clear, Washable, 32 Ounces - Great for Making Slime
• Amazon Business
$7.96
1
$7.96
Rhode Island Novelty of 6" Pinwheels, 12-Pack
• Amazon Business
$7.03
1
$7.03
Materials cost
$444.82
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$6.67
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$481.49
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$84.97
Total project goal
$566.46
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$566.46
3 Donors
-$239.00
Donations toward project cost
-$203.15
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$35.85
match offer
-$327.46
Match offer toward project cost
-$278.34
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 Mrs. Hicks and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.