Creative Expression for Students with Disabilities
Help me give my students art supplies and sensory materials to improve their mental health!
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Matson's classroom raised $593
This project is fully funded
My Project
My teenage students come from a range of diverse backgrounds in south Minneapolis. They are all eligible for specialized services, and they carry labels including specific learning disability, emotional behavioral disorders, other health impairments, mental health disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit disorder, and sensory processing disorder.
My high school students will feel successful and build confidence through social-emotional learning through the arts.
These watercolors, Legos, and other items will be used for student self-portraits. They will have the chance to create artistic representations of texts we read in my specialized English and Strategies for Success social-emotional learning classes. My students can access sensory tools to help with emotional regulation. We will play games together that are designed to build community and trust within a safe and welcoming environment. I am excited to help my students nurture strong habits for positive mental health.
While many groups of people run the risk of underrepresentation and marginalization, my students have myriad strikes against them: they are English Language Learners (many of them new to the country); they have disabilities; they are students of color; and they come from low socioeconomic backgrounds. However, they also exhibit the characteristics of grit, perseverance, integrity, creativity, empathy, and stamina to work through challenges. My students deserve the chance to grow and thrive through artistic self-expression.
More than half of 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
Crayola Artista II Watercolor Paint Set, 8 Oval Pans, Assorted Colors
• School Specialty
$3.14
12
$37.68
Ucreate Mixed-Media Paper, 80 lb., 9 x 12 Inches, Natural White, 500 Sheets
• School Specialty
$37.49
1
$37.49
LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box 10698 Building Toy Set, Toy Storage Solution for Home or Classrooms, Interactive Building Toy for Kids, Boys, and Girls
• Amazon Business
$33.12
1
$33.12
Crayola Washable Paint Brush Pen Set - Set of 40
• Blick Art Materials
$32.42
1
$32.42
Stuff2Color Giant Coloring Poster 5 Pack - Big 32.5 x 22 Inch Line Art Coloring Posters - Great for Family Time, Kids, Classrooms, Care Facilities, Arts and Crafts Projects, and Group Activities
• Amazon Business
$30.97
1
$30.97
Apakkai 1200 Pcs Stickers for Kids, Cute Water Bottle Stickers for Teens, Kawaii Vinyl Phone Laptop Skateboard Animal Waterproof Stickers, Bulk Aesthetic Sticker Packs for Boys Girls Teacher
• Amazon Business
$22.99
1
$22.99
Hanaive 12 Pcs Learning Conversation Cubes Social Emotional Learning Activities Family Dice Game Speech Therapy for Kids Teacher Family Classroom (Wood)
• Amazon Business
$22.99
1
$22.99
All-Purpose Paintbrush Assortment - Set of 30
• Lakeshore Learning Materials
$21.99
1
$21.99
NAWOD 35 Premium Acrylic Paint Marker Pens, Double Pack of Both Extra Fine and Medium Tip, for Rock Painting, Mug, Ceramic, Glass, Wood, Fabric, Canvas, Metal, Pumpkin, DIY Crafts Making Art Supplies
• Amazon Business
$21.59
1
$21.59
FIXSMITH Canvas Boards for Painting, Multi Pack- 4x4,6x6,8x8,10x10 (8 of Each),32 Pack,100% Cotton Primed Canvas Panels for Acrylic, Oil, Art Supplies for Kids, Adults, Beginners
• Amazon Business
$19.99
1
$19.99
Emotions Feelings Wheel Chart Poster Mental Health Tapestry Counselor Therapy Office Decor Cotton Linen Wall Hanging Scroll Poster Wall Art Home Decor Kids Behavior Chart Social Emotional Learning
• Amazon Business
$16.96
1
$16.96
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Card Deck: 55 Practices for Confident and Thriving Kids
• Amazon Business
$16.69
1
$16.69
120Pcs 230GSM White Cotton Watercolor Paper Bulk Kids Water Color Paper for for Student Adults Painting Art Works Drawing Supplies, 6" x 9"
• Amazon Business
$15.99
1
$15.99
Apple Barrel, Vibrant Spectrum Collection Acrylic Craft Paint, PROMOABIII, 2 fl oz each, 16 assorted matte colors, 16 count
• Amazon Business
lifetop 120PCS Painting Rocks, DIY Rocks Flat & Smooth Kindness Rocks for Arts, Crafts, Decoration, Medium/Small/Tiny Rocks for Painting,Hand Picked for Painting Rocks…
• Amazon Business
$14.99
1
$14.99
Letz Talk Conversation Cards for Teens - Conversation Starters - Build Confidence & Emotional Intelligence, Family Games for Kids & Adults - Classroom Must Have - Therapy Game
• Amazon Business
$13.99
1
$13.99
I Know MySELf: A Journal of Social Emotional Learning in Self Awareness
• Amazon Business
$13.99
1
$13.99
Mr. Pen- Binder Dividers, 6 Tab Dividers, Pack of 2 Sets (12 Dividers Total), Dividers, Dividers for 3 Ring Binder, Binder Dividers with Tabs, Tab Dividers, Binder Tabs, 3 Ring Binder Dividers
• Amazon Business
$5.98
2
$11.96
Plastic 10-Well Paint Tray - 6 3/4" Diameter, White
• Blick Art Materials
Sports Stickers 150PCS Sport Gift,Sports Stickers for Water Bottles,Basketball,Baseball,Football,Volleyball,Soccer,Stickers Sports,Stickers for Teens/Kids
• Amazon Business
$6.99
1
$6.99
FolkArt Outdoor Sealer (8-Ounce),Gloss Finish (Packaging May Vary)
• Amazon Business
$6.99
1
$6.99
Materials cost
$448.47
Vendor shipping charges
$18.57
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$6.73
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$503.77
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$88.90
Total project goal
$592.67
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$592.67
2 Donors
-$592.67
Donations toward project cost
-$503.77
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. Matson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.