Learning Through Sensory Exploration and Play: Honoring Every Student's Needs
Help me give my students the tools they need to meet their sensory educational, and functional needs, using items such as a trampoline, sensory sand, and building toys.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. K's classroom raised $389
This project is fully funded
My Project
As I set up for my first year teaching students with disabilities and high support needs, I'm striving to fill the space with tools and materials that meet all of my students' unique needs. My class includes 9 students in 1st through 3rd grade, with disabilities such as autism, intellectual disabilities, and other cognitive and developmental disabilities. This diverse student population has a wide range of goals, so in this project you will see various toys like blocks, marbles, and legos. My students will use these to develop fine and gross motor skills, practice social skills (sharing, collaborating, and turn taking), and learn functional and science related concepts such as cause and effect. The project also requests sensory tools such as sensory sand, tactile sensory items for squeezing, feeling, and chewing, and a trampoline, to meet my students' sensory needs.
Sensory needs are impactful much like how no student can learn when they are hungry, tired, or handling other stressors--supporting my students' sensory needs removes a similar barrier to their learning.
Everyone has sensory needs, like how when the sun is too bright, we may put on sunglasses, or how we turn down the volume when the TV is too loud, but for my students, these sensory needs can be broader, more intense, and show up in unique ways. I have seen my students truly open up and enjoy learning when sensory elements are incorporated into their work and play. One of the greatest joys I find in being a special education teacher is to see my students become more engaged, comfortable, and excited over time as they settle in to a safe and affirming environment that honors everyone's needs. Your support would help me to build that environment.
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
SereneLife Portable & Foldable Trampoline - 36" In-Home Mini Rebounder, Fitness Body Exercise - Updated Version - SLSPT365,Blue
• Amazon Business
$75.99
1
$75.99
Meland Marble Run - 132Pcs Marble Maze Game Building Toy for Kid, Marble Track Race Set&STEM Learning Toy Gift for Boy Girl Age 4 5 6 7 8 9+ (102 Translucent Marbulous Pcs & 30 Glass Marbles)
• Amazon Business
$35.99
1
$35.99
LEGO DUPLO Classic Brick Box - 10913
• Kaplan Early Learning Company
$35.96
1
$35.96
Kinetic Sand, Sandbox Set Kids Toy with 1lb All-Natural Blue and 3 Molds, Sensory Toys for Kids Ages 3 and Up
• Amazon Business
$33.04
1
$33.04
Squishy Sensory Toys for Kids: Calm Down Sensory Toys for Autistic Children Toddlers Special Needs, Squeeze Stretch Anxiety Relief Autism Toys, Sensory Shapes Learning Toys Classroom Must Haves
• Amazon Business
$12.99
2
$25.98
134 Pcs Transparent Letters and Numbers Include Uppercase Letters Lowercase Letters and Numbers Colorful Plastic Letters and Numbers for Kids Counting and Spelling, Ages 3+
• Amazon Business
$18.99
1
$18.99
Melissa & Doug Wooden Building Blocks Set - 100 Blocks in 4 Colors and 9 Shapes - FSC Certified
• Amazon Business
$17.34
1
$17.34
Kinetic Sand, The Original Moldable Sensory Play Sand, Pink, 2 lb. Resealable Bag, Ages 3+
• Amazon Business
$10.99
1
$10.99
Mesh and Marble Fidget Toy Set - 10 Pcs Marble Fidgets for Kids - Fidget Marble Mesh Fidget Toy - Marble Sensory Toy - Silent Fidget Toys for Anxiety
• Amazon Business
$9.97
1
$9.97
Chew Necklaces for Sensory Kids, 5 Pack Oral Sensory Chewy Toys for Boys and Girls with ADHD, SPD, Autism, Silicone Chewing Necklace Reduce Adult Anxiety Fidgeting
• Amazon Business
$6.88
1
$6.88
Materials cost
$271.13
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$24.81
3rd party payment processing fee
$4.07
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$330.01
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$58.24
Total project goal
$388.25
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$388.25
4 Donors
-$314.95
Donations toward project cost
-$268.81
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$46.14
match offer
-$72.00
Match offer toward project cost
-$61.20
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. K and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
