I teach in an inclusive preschool classroom, which means I have students from the age of 2 1/2 - 5 with varying needs. Half of my students have special needs and require significant modifications in the classroom on a daily basis. 100% of our school qualifies for free breakfast and lunch based on their income. We are in a unique area of the state and serve students from both rural and urban areas. About 75% of my families take advantage of our food bag program, which supplies families with food to get the children through the weekend.
My students feel joy and pride when another student in our class has a breakthrough like speaking for the first time.
Our classroom is our family, and the love and respect my students have for each other is remarkable. I love watching them learn from and help each other. They see the differences in one another as positive things that make them each unique, something that moves me to tears on a regular basis!
My Project
My students love to explore through their senses and I believe it is important to encourage my students to experience things rather than just talk about them. I also believe that young children learn best through enjoyable experiences that are meaningful to them. With these materials, I can create these types of experiences for my class. My students can create shapes, numbers and letters in sand. They can search for hidden objects like plastic letters and numbers in the sand and water exploration table.
Many of my students have sensory needs that make it difficult to learn "traditionally".
The tray and sensory materials for my existing light table will allow my students to get the sensory input they need to calm themselves and function in the classroom. My students can strengthen their hand and finger muscles and improve motor control by "writing" with their fingers in the sand or pouring water in our sand and water exploration table. Students can use the light cube and caddy set in our calming area. The sensory mats will allow me to try to keep my classroom clean.
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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. Szumnarski and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
