This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
When students do not learn the way we teach, we must teach in a way that they will learn. Students with disabilities struggle to maintain focus and organization even without academic demands placed on them. Yes, sometimes we think things are crazy, but it's only crazy it it doesn't work!
My students live in inner city Orlando.
Most people think of Disney World and the beach when they think of Orlando, but they are unaware of the tremendous homeless population. With 100% of our students qualifying for free/reduced lunch and 95% of students identifying as minority, there are many setbacks that they come to school with. They many not have running water, electricity, air, or even a bed to sleep in. We must meet their basic human needs even at school before we can expect academics to come.
We typically think of students with disabilities as students struggling with academics. Too often we forget about students struggling with behaviors. In many cases, these behaviors are what is preventing them from learning, not an academic disability. In order to reach all students, we must pull out the stops and do whatever it takes to help them learn. Through my previous project, I acquired stability balls and cushions for students to sit on that were a hit and need more!
My Project
My resource room for students with disabilities has little space--I share a room with 2 other teachers. Storage containers will keep behavior materials neat, separate from other teacherÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs materials. Matching student tables and bookshelves allow for students to connect their colored chair to their colored basket of manipulative. Small hand toys allow for students to meet their sensory needs to focus on academics. Infant toys may seem odd but are research-developed to meet sensory needs and portable for students to take to any area of school. A sound machine helps to meet sensory needs in providing a soothing sound because quiet causes chaos in the mind of a student with a disability. Sensory needs can also include oral stimulation needs. While we cannot make a child stop chewing, we can provide them more appropriate items to meet oral sensory needs. Stability balls and cushions allow students the ability to wiggle in their seats without distracting others in order to focus on academics.
This project will make a difference for the entire school.
Students will increase their focus and attention, they will able to stay organized, and teachers will able to teach without little behaviors getting in the way. Students must be taught how to be successful, it may not look the same for every student, but success feels great no matter what!
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. Schofield and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.