My students are resilient, determined and passionate individuals. Their dynamic personalities demonstrate how unique and special each one of them are. My students come from an impoverished and unsafe neighborhood with lack of access to many resources outside of the school environment. Despite their challenging environments, they continue to grow with the help and encouragement they receive from our school (free lunches, resources to provide food and clothing, academic structure and supportive environment).
"One out of every four children attending school has been exposed to a traumatic event that can affect learning and/or behavior".
—NCTSN Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators.
In order to cope with major life stressors including but not limited to exposure to violence, trauma, food insecurity and chaotic home environments, students need tools to cope with these obstacles which in turn can promote academic learning.
Using play has been critical to the process of engaging these students appropriately and developmentally towards social/emotional growth. Therefore, having additional resources such as therapeutic books, sensory items (sand, toy figures, weighted blankets) and art supplies can help these students learn to master coping skills they need to function day to day.
My Project
Play is a language which can be used to engage and help children understand the world around them. Play can take many different forms and has helped my students learn to find the words and skills they need to communicate and express their feelings in positive ways.
A sand tray has been most impactful when helping children to understand, communicate and regulate emotions.
We are requesting some sand tray figures which will be used for sand tray to help promote decision making, communication skills and emotional regulation. Sand tray figures will be on open shelves for easy access for students to pick what they need to help express themselves in the moment or during instructional skills training.
We are also requesting books which will be used to help educate and provide framework for different issues students struggle with from anxiety, grief, anger, sadness and other emotions. Play-Doh and tools will also be placed openly on shelves for when students need to calm down and regulate emotions when triggered or frustrated.
My students are very responsive to engage with anything tactile and symbolic as I've seen them use these items when "shut down". This helps them calm down and work through their emotions in order to move on with their day.
Pinch Me Therapy Dough, 10 Ounce, Ocean
• Amazon Business
$26.99
1
$26.99
Play-Doh Modeling Compound 36-Pack Case of Colors, Non-Toxic, Assorted Colors, 3-Ounce Cans (Amazon Exclusive)
• Amazon Business
$24.99
1
$24.99
My Many Coloured Days
• Amazon Business
$19.31
1
$19.31
Safari Ltd Designer TOOBS Days of Old
• Amazon Business
$14.99
1
$14.99
Safari Ltd People TOOB With 7 Everyday Heroes Figurine Toys, Including Construction Worker, Policeman, Mailman, Pilot, Chef, Fireman, and Veterinarian
• Amazon Business
$13.64
1
$13.64
Safari Ltd Mythical Realms TOOB
• Amazon Business
$12.99
1
$12.99
The Invisible String
• Amazon Business
$12.20
1
$12.20
The Very Frustrated Monster (WorryWoo Monsters)
• Amazon Business
$12.19
1
$12.19
Glad Monster, Sad Monster
• Amazon Business
$12.04
1
$12.04
I Said No! A Kid-to-kid Guide to Keeping Private Parts Private
• Amazon Business
$10.85
1
$10.85
But It's Not My Fault! (Responsible Me!)
• Amazon Business
$9.29
1
$9.29
A Terrible Thing Happened
• Amazon Business
$8.45
1
$8.45
Materials cost
$177.93
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$2.67
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$210.60
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$37.16
Total project goal
$247.76
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$247.76
3 Donors
-$247.76
Donations toward project cost
-$210.60
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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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 Ms. Rachel and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
