We need access to sensory items, manipulatives, theraputty, weighted manipulatives and a therapy chair to help with the kenetic energy in our classroom.
I am excited that my students want to be involved in their education and support their peers with special needs in the classroom. The sensory materials needed in our class will help our students focus and release kinetic energy in a productive manner.
Eugene recognized the need in his fellow students and wants to help bridge that gap. He is a mentor in our school program and has done many hours of research to find tools and ideas to help his peers in the class. He has researched the items needed and helped decide what would be of the greatest benefit to his peers. He has observed peers and the adaptations made in the classroom to see what best suits their ability to learn.
By developing this project Eugene has learned how to set goals and conduct accurate research; both of which are skills he will utilize in college. He has used problem solving skills and developed creative ideas to help fund this project. He has promoted this project through word of mouth to those outside of our school. By doing so he has built his self confidence and social skills. His empathy and understanding of those with special or unique needs has also grown as he now has a better understand of their abilities. He wants to support and help his peers with special needs grow and excel in their education. Eugene's leadership skills have grown through this project and he has become a mentor for his peers.
In Their Own Words
We are trying to provide materials such as Kinetic chairs, balance balls, weights and hand manipulatives (fidgets) to help the kinesthetic or sensory learners in my school excel in their education. For example, we have a student who is constantly moving, he wiggles his legs, paces or rocks in his seat. We have tried to provide hand manipulatives for him and it helps him some. However, I feel we need a variety of actual kinetic or sensory materials to help him stay focused and learn successfully.
Being a leader for this, I want to share what I've learned with my fellow team members to enable them to help support and understand our peers with kinetic and sensory needs. By helping and bringing awareness to their sensory needs we can promote awareness and a positive environment for my fellow students. This is important because when peers are involved and understand why others are different, bullying and miscommunication decrease.
The main reason why this is important to my school is because we have a wide variety of students who are kinesthetic learners. This means that they are constantly in motion and learn easier when they are able to move and fidget without causing disruptions. By bringing the materials needed to the kinesthetic learners will help our future leaders strive for success in their lives and for our country's future.
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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. Schaefer and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
