Let's Get Social! Developing Social Skills to Help Students Succeed
Help me give my students the appropriate social skills through the use of items like the puppet theater and the dollhouse, through play therapy which has been proven to be the best median to teach young children.
As a culturally diverse, lower socioeconomic school, my students are comprised of children from many different backgrounds and cultures. Children at my school come from different parts of the state, city, and even other countries. Our classes serve students with a range of disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbance, autism spectrum disorder, and specific learning disabilities. My students need the necessary skills to become productive, emotionally, and socially secure, hardworking members of our community who are deep thinkers, thrive on love, and who will provide so much joy and good to the world, when we need it most.
My students today are so inundated with electronics and social media that they have little opportunity to properly develop and practice their social skills including communication, self-regulation and stress management in social interactions.
These deficits can lead to conflicts with others and inappropriate expression of emotions. My students are sent to visit my room when they are in need - in need of comfort, care, someone to listen to, someone to learn from, and sometimes when they have nowhere else to turn. Strengthening social skills in my students can help them to become a success at school and in our community.
My Project
This project and the resources it will provide to my students will give them the ability to become more interactive, expressive, mindful, and productive citizens in our school and hopefully our community.
I will use the social-emotional learning curriculum, Mind Up, to provide classroom guidance to grades Pk-5 and focus their attention, improve their self-regulation skills, build resilience to stress, and develop a positive mindset in both school and life which will help to improve their social skills.
In conjunction with this curriculum, for the younger students I will use the Flower Feelings book to help them identify their feelings on a daily basis and begin to learn to use their words to communicate their feelings to the world. Once we learn about these feelings, we will use the Puppet Theater to act out feelings in puppet form as a form of play therapy. Also, I will introduce Flower Feelings kit, a craft which helps them to explore their own emotions, a topic that may be new to them!
In the older grades, I will use Playing CBT to develop awareness in the students and so they can begin to understand their thoughts on a deeper level, which will enhance their self-control. In addition, I will use the Feelings Game for self-regulation and expression of emotions. The Socially Speaking Game will help to teach and reinforce social skills by focusing on social interaction.
Many of my students struggle with coping skills for their intense feelings on a more individualized setting. Therefore, I will use the tools such as the waterbeads and stress balls to teach them to relax and calm down. This will allow them to learn how to manage their intense emotions in their life.
Melissa & Doug Hi-Rise Wooden Dollhouse and Furniture Set (1:12 Scale Dollhouse, Open-Sided, Multi-Color, 18 Pieces, 30″ H × 23.75″ W × 13″ L)
• Amazon Business
$114.99
1
$114.99
Flower Feelings Learning Kit
• Kaplan Early Learning Company
$71.96
1
$71.96
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Puppet Theater (Sturdy Non-Tip Base, Plush Curtains, 52 ″ H × 18″ W × 24.75″ L)
• Amazon Business
$69.99
1
$69.99
Playing CBT - Therapy Game to Develop Awareness of Thoughts, Emotions and behaviors for improving Social Skills, Coping Skills and Enhancing self Control.- New Version
• Amazon Business
$65.00
1
$65.00
Flower Feelings Hardcover Book, Pocket Chart and Cards
• Kaplan Early Learning Company
$44.96
1
$44.96
Happy Kids Hand Puppets Multi Ethnic and Diversity Collection (Set of 8)
• Amazon Business
$42.95
1
$42.95
Beadeez Stress Relief Squeezing Balls 3-Pack for Kids and Adults - Premium Anti-Stress Squishy Balls with Water Beads - Alleviate Tension, Anxiety and Improve Focus - ADHD Sensory Toys Gift Set
• Amazon Business
$15.99
2
$31.98
My Feelings Game. Fun Educational Family Game to Help Kids Express Their Emotions and Learn self Regulation. Endorsed by Dr Temple Grandin and Other World Renown clinicians and Educators.
• Amazon Business
$29.95
1
$29.95
Didax Educational Resources Socially Speaking Game
• Amazon Business
$25.99
1
$25.99
ELONGDI Water Beads Pack Rainbow Mix Over 50,000 Orbies Beads Growing Balls, Jelly Water Gel Beads for Spa Refill, Kids Sensory Toys, Vases, Plant, Wedding and Home Decor
• Amazon Business
$6.99
3
$20.97
The MindUP Curriculum: Grades 3-5: Brain-Focused Strategies for Learningand Living
• Amazon Business
$15.82
1
$15.82
The MindUP Curriculum: Grades PreK2: Brain-Focused Strategies for Learningand Living
• Amazon Business
$11.89
1
$11.89
Materials cost
$546.45
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$47.81
3rd party payment processing fee
$8.20
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$632.46
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$111.61
Total project goal
$744.07
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$744.07
1 Donor
-$744.07
Donations toward project cost
-$632.46
Donations 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 Mrs. Wahl and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
