I work in a self-contained special education classroom and have the honor to be the teacher to 8 incredibly insightful and loving students. Our classroom consists of Kindergarten, First and Second grade. We cover all academic areas as well as Social and Emotional awareness and the use of coping skills. There are many moments in the school day where students request a break from situations to help calm their body and mind.
One big focus in our classroom is learning the ability to self-manage our behaviors and our reactions to specific feelings.
Each year, I get to watch my students grow and develop emotionally and socially. I watch these students gain self-confidence and pride when they complete work, solve social/ emotional situations and set personal goals each day.
My Project
All humans need to take a break sometimes and it ends up being a skill that we use even into adulthood. Teaching the process of taking a break to children with high emotional needs can create a very noticeable step to success in self-managing emotions.
In a classroom, workplace, or simply anywhere in the world, sometimes it helps to take a step away for a break to reset and find that peaceful mindset.
In some situations, a cool down break can stop the progression to a full meltdown and help the student return to the situation ready to be successful. Children can learn positive coping skills and self-management skills by taking breaks and isolating themselves from the stressful situation. Other times children simply need a "brain break" where they can take a break from school work, play time or any situation where they find they need to relax. While in the isolation (removal from stressful area), children can use tools to relax their body and mind. Many tools used are fidgets, visual timers, calming colors such as purple and cool blues, sensory objects like weighted blankets/vest and bean bags that hug the body.
These relaxing and calming tools and materials would be used in a cool down corner in my classroom. The tools requested are, a blue sensory floor mat, a weighted neck wrap, a bean bag chair, a light green soft mat, a tactile motion pillow, a canopy for privacy, timers, an ocean light and butterfly decals to simulate relaxing outdoor visuals. The cool down corner would allow students to have a relaxing break from emotions, situations, work time, etc. The cool down corner would be a comfortable place with resources that the student can choose from to help them find a peaceful mindset and learn to self-manage.
Manimo Dolphin Weighted Animal, 1kg, Blue
• Amazon Business
$44.95
1
$44.95
Big Joe 98-Inch Bean Bag, Limo Black
• Amazon Business
$39.99
1
$39.99
Princess Bed Canopy Mosquito Net for Kids Baby , Round Dome Kids Indoor Outdoor Castle Play Tent Hanging House Decoration Reading nook Cotton Canvas Height 240cm / 94.9 inch (Grey) (Grey)
• Amazon Business
$29.99
1
$29.99
Fun and Function ABC Look & Feel Bag, an Educational Fidget Toy for Safe Tactile Exploration and Perception Improvement
• Amazon Business
$26.99
1
$26.99
Ocean Wave Projector,Delicacy 12 LED Remote Control Undersea Projector Lamp,7 Color Changing Music Player Night Light Projector for Kids Adults Bedroom Living Room Decoration
• Amazon Business
$23.95
1
$23.95
Kashi Home RS041981 Hailey Round Rug, 26", Olive
• Amazon Business
$20.12
1
$20.12
3 Pack of Liquid Motion Timers Sensory Toys for Stress Relief - Great as Bubbler Timer Fidget Toys for Kids, Satisfying Mini Lava Lamp Office & Desk Toys, Figit Toy Gift for Boys, Girls, and Adults!
• Amazon Business
$12.49
1
$12.49
Impresa Products 5-Pack of Stretchy String Fidget / Sensory Toys (BPA/Phthalate/Latex-Free) - Stretches from 10 Inches to 8 Feet!
• Amazon Business
$9.49
1
$9.49
Heansun 80 PCS Wall Decal Butterfly, Wall Sticker Decals for Room Home Nursery Decor
• Amazon Business
$8.39
1
$8.39
Materials cost
$336.21
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$5.04
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$371.25
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$65.51
Total project goal
$436.76
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$436.76
4 Donors
-$436.76
Donations toward project cost
-$371.25
Donations 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. Dressel and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
