The last few weeks have been the first time my students have stepped foot in a classroom since last March. School looks very different than it did last year. Even through all of the changes, I have the most caring, driven, and creative first graders in my classroom this year. They don't hesitate to jump up and help each other when someone needs help. And I haven't heard one complaint from them with all of the extra precautions in place this year.
They truly just want to be in the classroom, with their classmates.
They have a zest for learning and I want to keep that momentum going!
My Project
Our district has been training teachers on being trauma-informed. Many students are facing trauma, especially in 2020, with school being shut down for so long.
My calm corner will give kids the tools they need to regulate if they are feeling overwhelmed, angry, sad, etc.
I have taught my class the steps they will take when they need to enter the calm corner, identify how they are feeling, breathe (we've taught various breathing exercises), identify how they will calm down (using the tools funded by this project), and identify how they will solve the problem they are facing (we have taught several ideas/scenarios). After implementing my calm corner, the students will be able to go to the CALM corner when they are having a hard time. They will be able to use the materials from my project to help them successfully regulate, so they can rejoin the class. Calm items will be on a rotation in the calm corner. Students can use the weighted lap dog, giant coloring posters, glitter wand, or fidget toys in Week 1. Students can use thinking putty, etch-a sketch, tangle therapy, or mini stress balls in Week 2. Students can use the pin art, kaleidoscope, or squishy balls in Week 3. Students can use the stretchy sensory toys, fubbles, kinetic sand, or pinwheels in Week 4. I will do informal observations of what items students choose most when going to the Calm corner, so I know what needs rotated more often due to popularity. The velcro sit spots are included so students can safely spread out around our room to have a quiet place to work while maintaining social distancing guidelines.
Abilitations Teacher's Pet Weighted Lap Dog, Dot, 3-1/2 Pounds - 1267921
• Amazon Business
$32.99
1
$32.99
Big giant coloring poster сolorings for children And who is at home? Coloring pages for kids and adults. Color me posters for family XXL Size (33.08 х 46.5 in)
• Amazon Business
$19.00
1
$19.00
Playlearn Glitter Wand, Magic Wonder Tube – 6 Inch - Sensory Toy Wonder Magic Wands for Kids - 4 Different Multicolored Tubes – Medium Size
• Amazon Business
$18.99
1
$18.99
Sensory Fidget Toys Set, 25 Pcs., Stress Relief and Anti-Anxiety Tools Bundle for Kids and Adults, Marble and Mesh, Pack of Squeeze Balls, Soybean Squeeze, Flippy Chain, Liquid Motion Timer & More
• Amazon Business
$18.95
1
$18.95
SIQUK 54 Pieces Carpet Spots Markers 5 Inch Carpet Markers Hook and Loop Carpet Spot for Classroom, 9 Colors
• Amazon Business
$17.99
1
$17.99
Kinetic Sand, Sandisfying Set with 2lbs of Sand and 10 Tools, for Kids Aged 3 and up
• Amazon Business
$17.00
1
$17.00
Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty (1.6 oz) Precious Metals - Good as Gold - Soft Texture, Never Dries Out
• Amazon Business
$14.99
1
$14.99
Etch A Sketch, Classic Red Drawing Retro Toy with Magic Screen, for Ages 3 and Up
• Amazon Business
$14.50
1
$14.50
Tangle Relax Therapy
• Amazon Business
$14.23
1
$14.23
Power Your Fun Arggh Mini Stress Balls for Adults and Kids - 3pk Squishy Stress Ball Fidget Toys, Anti Stress Sensory Ball Squeeze Toys (Yellow, Pink, Blue)
• Amazon Business
$13.95
1
$13.95
Toysmith Pin Art (Black Frame 3.75-Inch x 5-Inch)
• Amazon Business
$10.99
1
$10.99
Schylling Classic Tin Kaleidoscope
• Amazon Business
$10.40
1
$10.40
Kicko Puffer Balls - 6 Pack - Thick Squishy Balls in Assorted Colors for Kids, Sensory Game, Stress Relief, Therapy Toy, Party Favor, Goody Bag Filler
• Amazon Business
$9.99
1
$9.99
Sensory Toys - Calming Stretchy Stress and Anxiety Relief for Homeschool & Office (6 Pack Textured)
• Amazon Business
$9.99
1
$9.99
Little Kids Fubbles No-Spill Tumbler Includes 4oz Bubble Solution and Bubble Wand (Tumbler Colors May Vary)
• Amazon Business
$8.93
1
$8.93
U.S. Toy Plastic Pinwheels, Assorted Colors (Lot of 12)
• Amazon Business
$6.50
1
$6.50
Materials cost
$239.39
Vendor shipping charges
$9.18
Sales tax
$13.17
3rd party payment processing fee
$3.59
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$295.33
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$52.12
Total project goal
$347.45
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$347.45
4 Donors
-$234.02
Donations toward project cost
-$202.67
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$31.35
Matching donations from our partners
-$109.01
Match offers toward project cost
-$92.66
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 Mrs. Sperle and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.