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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Candice from Merritt Is., FL is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Fully Funded

Ms. Candice's classroom raised $487

Creative Learning for High School Program for Intellectually Disabled Students

Help me give my students : The goal is not only to teach reading/various activities but to foster independence, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

Classroom photo
Ms. Candice profile photo
Ms. Candice Gardendale Separate Day School
Merritt Is., FL Grades 9-12

My Project

Empowering Students Through Music, Art & Tactile Exploration

Welcome to a vibrant and inclusive classroom where intellectually disabled high school students thrive through hands-on, sensory-rich learning experiences.

Our program is designed to build foundational reading skills, foster creativity, and support independence in a nurturing environment.

________________________________________

In a specialized high school classroom designed for intellectually disabled students, learning is approached through a rich tapestry of sensory experiences. The curriculum is centered around building foundational reading skills using musical books. These books are often paired with audio tracks or sung aloud by the teacher, allowing students to follow along with repetitive phrases and rhythmic patterns that reinforce word recognition and comprehension. The musical element helps students retain information while making reading a joyful and memorable experience.

To complement literacy instruction, the classroom incorporates daily arts and crafts activities that support hand-eye coordination, fine motor development, and the ability to follow multi-step directions.

Seasonal projects with textured materials provide opportunities for creativity while reinforcing sequencing and tactile exploration. Each project is broken down into manageable steps, often supported by visual aids and physical modeling, ensuring that every student can participate successfully.

Tactile learning is a cornerstone of the classroom experience. Matching games with textured flashcards, Velcro storyboards, and raised-letter tracing activities help students engage with language through touch.

This classroom is more than a place of instruction—it’s a nurturing environment where intellectually disabled students are empowered to learn through movement, music, and creativity. By integrating musical books, arts and crafts, and tactile activities, educators create a multisensory experience that meets students where they are and helps them grow academically, socially, and emotionally. The goal is not only to teach reading/various activities but to foster independence, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households

9 students impacted 3 donors
Ms. Candice Gardendale Separate Day School Grades 9-12

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Merritt Is., FL View local requests

More than three‑quarters 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

9 students impacted 3donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Velcro Dots 5/8 Dia. Sticky Back Hook & Loop Fastener Clear 75/Pack (91302) • Staples $11.39 4 $45.56
Fruit Roll-Ups Fruit Flavored Snacks, Variety Value Pack, 20 Ct, 10 oz • Amazon Business $5.66 5 $28.30
Craftstory 144 Pcs Shapes Felt-Board for Toddlers, Preschool Classroom Must Haves Learning Activities Tangram Toys Teacher Aide 3.5 Ft Large Wall Hang Sensory Activities Kit • Amazon Business $27.54 1 $27.54
Skinny Pop Variety Snack Pack, 36/Pack (220-01049) • Quill.com $25.49 1 $25.49
The Four Seasons (Musical Books) • Amazon Business $25.10 1 $25.10
204Pcs Animals Felt Busy Board Story Set with Storage Bag Preschool Large Wall Storyboard Forest Themed Early Learning Interactive Play Kit Wall Hanging Gift for Toddlers Kids 40 X 28 Inch • Amazon Business $24.99 1 $24.99
Cali's Books Humpty Dumpty Book for Children with 6 Favorite Nursery Rhymes: Finger Family, Row Row Row Your Boat, and More! Musical Book for Toddlers 1-3 • Amazon Business $22.49 1 $22.49
Taika World Felt Set - Felt Map with Famous Sights, Educational Play Mat Flannel Board, 43x28 inch Preschool Learning Board • Amazon Business $20.99 1 $20.99
Ditty Bird Talking Books 100 Words | Fun Vocabulary & Speech Learning for Babies | Board Books for Toddlers 1-3 | Children's Interactive Toddler Books with Great Pictures | Sturdy Baby Sound Books • Amazon Business $20.99 1 $20.99
Ditty Bird Talking Books 100 Places | 100 Words for Vocabulary & Speech Learning | Sound Books for Toddlers 1-3 | Children's Interactive Toddler Books with Great Pictures | Sturdy Baby Sound Books • Amazon Business $20.99 1 $20.99
Fisher-Price Baby Learning Toy Laugh & Learn Storybook Rhymes Musical Book with Lights & Sounds for Infants Ages 6+ Months (Amazon Exclusive) • Amazon Business $18.98 1 $18.98
WISYOK 1000 Pcs Colored Popsicle Sticks for Crafts, 4.5 Inch Colored Wooden Craft Sticks, Ice Cream Sticks, Rainbow Popsicle Sticks, Great for DIY Craft Creative Designs and Children Education • Amazon Business $15.99 1 $15.99
WATINC 35Pcs Brown Skin Color Body Parts Learning Felt Story Board Set, Human Organ Educational Teaching Storytelling Kit, Early Learning Interactive Play Wall Hanging Gift for Toddlers Kids • Amazon Business $15.99 1 $15.99
Dixon Wooden Craft Pieces - 350 Pieces • Kaplan Early Learning Company $15.26 1 $15.26
WATINC 35Pcs Body Parts Learning Felt Story Board Set Preschool Human Organ Educational Teaching Storytelling Early Learning Interactive Play Kit Wall Hanging Gift for Toddlers Kids 41 x 30 Inch • Amazon Business $15.19 1 $15.19
Don't Shake the Present!: A Funny Interactive Book For Kids • Amazon Business $7.43 1 $7.43
Don't Push the Button! A Halloween Treat: A Spooky Funny Interactive Book For Kids • Amazon Business $7.43 1 $7.43
Don't Push the Button: On the Farm: A Funny Interactive Book For Kids • Amazon Business $7.14 1 $7.14
Don't Touch This Book!: A Funny Interactive Book For Kids • Amazon Business $6.29 1 $6.29
Don't Push the Button!: A Funny Interactive Book For Kids • Amazon Business $5.52 1 $5.52

Materials cost

$377.66

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$5.66

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$413.32

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$72.94

Total project goal

$486.26

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $486.26

2 Donors

-$406.26

Donations toward project cost

-$345.32

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$60.94

match offer

-$80.00

Match offer toward project cost

-$68.00

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$12.00

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

Project Activity
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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. Candice and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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