My students need raised garden boxes to create a school/classroom garden. The students in my classroom have significant sensory and self-help skill delays.
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
We are a special classroom for children with moderate to severe disabilities. We are a life skills class and we love to work with our hands, and learn with all 5 of our senses. We are Kindergarten and 1st grade age. We make the most of each day learning to be our best independent selves.
We are a very special program in a general education school.
We don't always have access to some of the resources and materials that other schools for special learners have. The students in our class are special needs multi-sensory learners who have many more abilities than meets the eye. They are smart, caring and eager kids. Some of our students have significant sensory needs, and this requires creativity on the part of the teacher to find new and exciting ways for them to make the most of their school day. We love to learn through music, using our hands, and with lots of visuals to keep us focused. Our favorite parts of the day are when we sing, have snack and playtime with our friends, and get to build and create things. We are always learning.
When I talk about how special my students are, I realize that most times they teach me, so much more than I teach them. They surprise me everyday working through some tough challenges. They always want to give and do their very best.
My Project
It is our intention to build a large garden where the students in our class can participate in variety of sensory and learning activities to strengthen and promote our ability to create and care for ourselves and our community. There will be a vegetable garden, a butterfly garden, a sensory garden where we can smell, taste, and touch.
We will also be able to plant seasonal vegetables and plants as appropriate to the time of year. We have been fortunate enough to have people within the community donate plants, sprinklers and top soil for our garden project. We are just in need of the raised beds to get us started.
We are hoping to be able to start this project late this spring so that when the children return after the summer, they will be able to truly see and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
This project is something that many years of students to come can participate in and enjoy. We look forward to seeing our students, and our garden grow through this project.
When our students get the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than themselves, we see them rise to the challenge.
Students who need the most help and assistance in the classroom will be able to participate in this project. And our hope is that they may do so with some greater independence. Having participated in planting projects before has elicited language in our non-verbal students, and has shown greater motor function for our students with physical disabilities.
Nearly all 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
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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 Mrs. Sheehan and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
