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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Mathews from Chicago, IL is requesting flexible seating through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Mathews is requesting

Creating a Safe & Calming Space for Students to Thrive

Help me give my students a safe multi sensory space to regulate their minds, bodies, and emotions to return to class.

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Mathews's classroom raised $883

This project is fully funded

My Project

The sensory paths and stones will provide students with a safe and structured way to regulate their behavior. These tools will help them release energy, practice self-control, and develop body awareness in a controlled, engaging way. Additionally, the sensory activities will cater to each student’s unique needs, allowing them to find strategies that help them calm down and refocus—whether through tactile play, visual imagery, movement, or deep pressure stimulation.

My students are diverse learners, many of whom have been diagnosed with ADHD, autism, and other sensory processing challenges.

They often struggle with medication management, making it essential to provide alternative ways to support their emotional and behavioral needs. Unfortunately, many of their dysregulated behaviors lead to crisis situations, including SASS calls and hospitalizations. By creating a structured, proactive approach to self-regulation, we can help reduce crises, increase classroom participation, and empower students with lifelong coping skills.

Ms. Mathews Smith Elementary School Grades PreK-2

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Chicago, IL View local requests

Nearly all students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

45 students impacted 3donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Mathews is requesting.

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Spooner, Inc Liquid Tile Mats - Set of 4 • Kaplan Early Learning Company $190.76 1 $190.76
Silly Shapes Sensory Mats • Lakeshore Learning Materials $59.99 1 $59.99
FlagHouse Ear Defenders Noise Cancelling Headphones, Adult • School Specialty $29.99 2 $59.98
Naviocean Sensory Tent Calm Down Corner Supplies for Autistic Children, Black Out Calming Play Tent Pop Up Tent Sensory Room Indoor Tent for SEN, Autism, ASD, ADHD with Travel Bag • Amazon Business $48.66 1 $48.66
Lakeshore See-Inside Rainsticks - Set of 4 • Lakeshore Learning Materials $39.99 1 $39.99
Sensory Path Decals for Floor & Wall | 126 Educational and Interactive Stickers for Kids | Sensory Walk Decals | Sensory Stimulation Decals | Floor Decals | Classroom Floor Stickers | Hallway Decals • Amazon Business $39.95 1 $39.95
BARMY Weighted Lap Pad for Kids (24”x24”, 5lbs) Weighted Lap Blanket with Removable, Washable Cover, Sensory Lap Pad for Child, Teen, Dogs, 100% Cotton Inner Weighted Blanket • Amazon Business $38.79 1 $38.79
Rainbow Pom Ball • Nasco $4.40 5 $22.00
Educational Insights My Feeling Bean Bags, Set of 10 Bean Bags, Social Emotional Learning, Preschool Kindergarten Classroom Must Haves, Ages 3+ • Amazon Business $19.99 1 $19.99
Color Noise Sound Machines with 10 Colors Night Light 25 Soothing Sounds and Sleep White Noise Machine 32 Volume Levels 5 Timers Adjustable Brightness Memory Function for Adults Kids Baby • Amazon Business $19.99 1 $19.99
Breathing Exercise Cards for Kids - for Classroom, Calm Down Corner Kit, Sensory Room, School Counselor Supplies, Social Emotional Games for Kids, Mindfulness Tools, Play Therapy, or Anxiety Relief • Amazon Business $19.95 1 $19.95
hand2mind Express Your Feelings Sensory Bottles- Primary Emotions, Toddler Sensory Toys, Quiet Fidget Toys, Play Therapy Toys, Calm Down Corner Supplies, Calming Corner, Social Emotional Learning • Amazon Business $18.07 1 $18.07
Hadley Designs Feelings Chart for Kids – 4 Pack Emotion Posters for Classroom & Home, Laminated Social Emotional Learning (SEL) & Behavior Management Tools, 11x17 Colorful Classroom Decor • Amazon Business $16.65 1 $16.65
PUHEI Inspirational Classroom Wall Decor, Positive Affirmations Wall Decor, Boho Classroom Poster Decor, Inspirational Wall Art, School Girl Style Classroom Decor(8 x 10 UNFRAMED) • Amazon Business $13.99 1 $13.99
Brewish 3 inch Plasma Ball Lamp Touch Sensitive Novelty Nebula Sphere Globe Magical Orb Toy Gift for Kids, Men & Women for Birthday, Christmas, Party Celebrations (3 INCH) - USB & Battery Powered • Amazon Business $13.49 1 $13.49
YUE MOTION Liquid Fidget Pens Fun Pens Party Favor Toy - Liquid Motion Bubble Sensory Autism toys for for Kids and Adults-Colorful Timer Pens for Classroom-Christmas Stocking Stuffer - 2 Pack • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99
HORIECHALY Smelly Stickers for Kids, Scratch and Sniff Stickers 48 Sheets 746 PCS, 16 Different Scents Scented Stickers, Sensory Fun Reward Stickers for Classroom Engagement and Creative Play • Amazon Business $11.99 1 $11.99
40 Growth Mindset Posters - Positive Affirmations Wall Decor Classroom Motivational Posters Positive Mottos Accents Display Set for Home and School Classroom Decor • Amazon Business $11.99 1 $11.99
8 Set Fun Sensory Mini Mats for Sensory Walls Sensory Rooms Textured Sensory Floor Tiles for Kids with Sensory Issues Educational Sensory Mats Toys for Autistic Children (3.6 Inch Octagon Style) • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
Wooden Toy Twist Block Cubes Puzzle Sensory Toys for Teens Party Favors for Boys and Girls (6 Pieces) • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99

Materials cost

$679.20

Vendor shipping charges

 $30.95

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$10.19

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$750.34

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$132.41

Total project goal

$882.75

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $882.75

2 Donors

-$441.37

Donations toward project cost

-$375.17

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$66.20

match offer

-$441.38

Match offer toward project cost

-$375.17

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$66.21

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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Project Activity

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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. Mathews and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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