My students need flexible seating like balance balls and other alternative seating options to remain focused on instruction while meeting developmental needs to regulate emotions.
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
I am a School Social Worker, working at 5 Title I Elementary schools. At Kelly 100% of the students receive free breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a largely impoverished neighborhood. Sixty one percent of the families are below poverty level. I work under a program called Hope2- Heightening Opportunities and Providing Enhanced Education. This initiative serves to reduce the over-representation of Black and Hispanic, Male student populations in regards to suspensions, behavioral school referrals, and expulsions. Schools apply for Hope2 funding to support their efforts regarding the implementation of the Superintendents Education Advisory Council (SEOAC) recommendations. This Council works to reduce suspensions, behavioral school referrals, and expulsions of male students of color and provides better, earlier, and different alternatives to suspensions and expulsions.
Many of the students I encounter are faced with life challenges that can overwhelm them emotionally at times and influence their ability to be productive and successful in school.
And yet, many of them muster up the courage and willpower to make it to school. In elementary school student's are powerless over change to their life circumstances which may sometimes negatively impact their behavior, and in turn is deemed unhealthy, unfavorable and sometimes dangerous to other students.
My Project
When this project is funded, students at this school will feel supported in the classroom. The Gaiam Children's Balance Ball, Milliard Peanut Balls, Trideer wobble cushions, and bouncy bands will keep children engaged in learning while supporting their body's need for movement. The more kids are allowed to wiggle and bounce, the more their brains pay attention. The flexible seating will be available for any student on campus that struggles with remaining seated a majority of their school day. Their developmental ability to regulate emotions is not quite there yet and the flexible seating will be able to offer these students an outlet while remaining engaged in learning.
This small gesture has the potential to impact these student's learning capabilities and gives them the opportunity to be included with their classmates.
In addition, flexible seating in classroom settings have shown to have positive results. Having the ability to offer our students an opportunity to remain engaged and feel included with their class, also helps with the HOPE2 initiative of providing alternatives to traditional ways of responding to behavioral issues.
Gaiam Kids Stay-N-Play Children's Balance Ball - Flexible School Chair, Active Classroom Desk Seating with Stay-Put Stability Legs, Includes Air Pump, Pink, 45cm
• Amazon Business
$19.21
10
$192.10
Milliard Anti-Burst Peanut Ball Variety Pack - Approximate Sizes: Green 39x20" (100x50cm) & Blue 31x15" (80x40cm) Physio Roll
• Amazon Business
$22.99
8
$183.92
Trideer Inflated Stability Wobble Cushion with Pump, Extra Thick Core Balance Disc, KIDS Wiggle Seat, Sensory Cushion for Elementary School Chair (Office & Home & Classroom)
• Amazon Business
$16.99
5
$84.95
Trideer Inflated Stability Wobble Cushion with Pump, Extra Thick Core Balance Disc, KIDS Wiggle Seat, Sensory Cushion for Elementary School Chair (Office & Home & Classroom)
• Amazon Business
$16.99
5
$84.95
Bouncy Bands for Elementary School Chairs (Black)
• Amazon Business
$13.95
5
$69.75
Materials cost
$615.67
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$48.33
3rd party payment processing fee
$9.24
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$703.24
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$124.10
Total project goal
$827.34
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$827.34
5 Donors
-$509.75
Donations toward project cost
-$468.50
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$41.25
match offer
-$276.16
Match offer toward project cost
-$234.74
Match offer 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. Scott and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
