My students need multi-use, multi-sensory furniture to maximize our learning space and focus on instruction. They would also benefit from reinforced math practice through games and center work.
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
As an elementary special education resource teacher in a low-income, high poverty, urban school district, I see my students struggle both in and out of the classroom. Many circumstances are beyond their control. All of our students are on free breakfast and lunch. It pains me to see students yearning to grow, but lacking the basic skills, materials, and food to get there.
My classroom may be small in size, but not in talent.
Many of the students are truly gifted, but are unable to showcase their expertise through traditional academic tasks. They are hyperactive, often having great difficulty remaining seated for instruction. In addition to the smaller classroom setting, my students require a multi-sensory approach to learning. They are wonderful thinkers and problem solvers once they've gotten "the wiggles" out of their systems.
My Project
Most of my students are male, identified for special education due to some cognitive deficit. Compounding their learning is the inability to sit still, as all but one are identified with moderate to severe attention deficits or hyperactivity disorder. The Stay-N-Play Balance Balls would provide movement while still remaining seated and focused on the learning objectives.
With a classroom the size of a small office, space and storage are extremely limited.
The current furniture is entirely too bulky. The alternative seating (Balance Balls and Plastic Stack Stools) would free up precious floor space, allowing children to safely and independently carry out educational activities.
The "cubby" style furniture I am requesting would allow me to store more resources at student level, thereby increasing their use of manipulatives and independence. Currently, most games and materials students need to access are stacked high on shelves or in filing cabinets that do not open to full capacity because of blocked space. The cubbies would allow me to give each grade level I service a designated area for grade-appropriate tools, freeing me up to work hands-on with struggling learners during small group instruction or center work.
Lastly, the center activities and games I have requested would allow students to practice previously taught math skills in fun, interactive ways on their own with little teacher setup or help. Students love the bright colors and manipulatives provided by these file-folder games, learning without even realizing it!
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
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. Mencia and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"NJ","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":1,"name":"Early Education"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":0,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/downsize-our-space-and-upgrade-our-learn/2358136/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":10,"isEquityFocusV1":true,"teacherScreenName":"Ms. Mencia","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"-1638206901","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":100.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":true,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Paterson","teachersOnPage":[3591818],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":2358136,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":82060,"schoolName":"Elementary School 24 / Fine & Performing Arts School","authorIds":{"3591818":{"owner":"Ms. Mencia","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":1.0,"proposalsOnPage":[2358136],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3591818_orig.png?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1563987757748","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":21,"teacherChallengeId":20767174,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":["NDE3Mzc0Mg==","NDE4NDAxOQ==","NDE3OTU2Mg==","NDE3NzgxOQ==","NDE3Mzg2MA==","NDE5Njc0Nw==","MjY5MDA0MQ==","NDE5NzQ5MQ==","MTQ1NTA2Mw==","NDE5Nzc4OQ=="],"teacherId":3591818,"schoolCounty":"Passaic","fullyFunded":true,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"NJ","name":"New Jersey"}}
